POPE FRANCIS, THE POPE WHO LOVES GOD
A few years ago the Roman Catholic Church Cardinals left agonistic Europe and went to South America to mint a new pope. Some argued then that he was still European because his parents had migrated from Italy and that therefore he is just a chip of the old block. That may be so but Pope Francis is a pope that loves God. So far he is the best pope I have lived under (I have lived under a few) and often I am tempted to say that he is THE pope of all times. I recognize that he is a rookie even now but look at his records thus far:
1. On Democracy: He has urged his bishops and cardinals to have a chat with the congregation to get the pulse of the “people” on divorce, gay relationships, women ordination, etc. Why? He recognizes that the Spirit could reveal God's intention via anybody. And he does not want to miss any of God's message.
2. On the Poor: his record speaks for itself. Refugees fleeing Mid-east, Africa, and South America to seek greener pastures have been a repetitive part of his homilies. He often calls on the Developed Nations to understand the plights of these refugees and to open their doors a little wider; to spend less on war mongering and more on feeding his sheep. He is more at home at ghettos than at presidential mansions just his Master was.
3. On World Peace: the latest is the reconciliation of US and Cuba. This cold war has been fought for over 50 years under several popes. But not one was able to reconcile the differences but this pope has done that. Some of the past popes were either afraid of a superpower or even in collusion with the superpower. Not this His Holiness. He speaks out each time there is conflict admonishing the aggressors and asking for more funds for the victims on both sides; be them Muslims or Christians or atheists.
4. On Religious Unity. To Pope Francis, we are all God's children. His visits with Muslim clerics, with rabbis, with Protestant bishops, etc., are proof of his acknowledgment of universality of God's acceptance.
5. On his Roman Catholic Church: he is too humble to know that we have all fallen short of God's glory, expectations and standards. He is trying to reform the church from within as this his Christmas message shows http://www.aol.com/article/2014/12/22/pope-issues-blistering-critique-of-vatican-bureaucracy/21119724/?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl2%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D586801
6. Etc.
Nobody can say enough good things this man of God is doing. At a period when we are seeing so many people hiding behind the Cross to do evil, it is a breath of fresh air to see that there is an exception. Christ's last word to Peter was a commission: FEED MY SHEEP.
This is a man who is doing the work of God
We shall all go and do likewise.
This anniversary of Christ's birth
Written by Benjamin Obiajulu Aduba.