Pope Francis’ remarks on social issues, such as homosexuality, has angered many conservative Catholics, leading to doubts about of his universal appeal. (Courtesy of Wikimedia)
By JOE CLINES
STAFF WRITER
Pope Francis’ papacy has granted him fame and influence. In less than a year, he has risen from relative obscurity on the world stage to rock star status, particularly among those whom the Church has traditionally alienated, such as homosexual Catholics and divorcees. Dean William Gould, describes the beloved religious figure as displaying “warmth and humility,” as well as a welcoming attitude that has served as a symbolic breath of fresh air for the Church.
Pope Francis has drawn praise across the globe, and from atheists and members of other faiths. The new pope, embracing the plight of the marginalized, has received backlash from conservative Catholics who feel he has abandoned them and the principles of Catholicism that they emphasize.
Gould passed along an interesting article written by John Allen, which labels the issue of the seemingly-forgotten right-wing Catholics as the “older son problem.” The problem is an allusion to the biblical story of the prodigal son, in which the return of the younger son who squandered his inheritance is met with great jubilation. The toils of the older son, who has worked diligently and met his responsibilities, is not celebrated with a similar degree of grandeur.
Dean Gould explained that the conservative Catholic base is ardently opposed to abortion and gay marriage. The Pope’s deemphasizing of these issues, particularly as it pertains to marriage equality, has been interpreted as an affront on the value system that defines this constituency of the Church. The story of the prodigal son is pertinent, as the potential return of the metaphorical younger son, the marginalized members of the church, can be seen as an overarching mission for Francis’ papacy.
Garnering the pope’s sympathies should not be viewed as a contest, and just as the story of the “prodigal son” is one of forgiveness, the conservative base of the church should be excited to work towards the reconciliation of differences with those who traditional Catholic teachings on gay marriage have alienated in the past.
The crux of the older son problem may be simple misperception. Gould believes that the pope’s more informal interview may leave him open to misinterpretation. One of the most noteworthy comments associated with the pope came from an interview he gave while aboard an airplane en route to Brazil in July.
When asked about homosexual priests in the Church, Francis’ truncated response struck a nerve on the conservative right. He made the claim, “Who am I to judge?”
The quote became a rallying cry for those in favor of gay marriage and evidence of Francis’ seemingly liberal agenda for the older sons of the Church.
In actuality, the comments were neither. As Gould confirmed and anyone who has read the comments in context can attest, Francis was not making an overt statement of support for gay marriage, but a comment indicative of his larger view of the Catholic Church. Francis stresses the forgiveness and mercy of God, in lieu of the pre-Vatican II “fire and brimstones” conception of sinful behavior.
Francis sees a God that hates the sin and loves the sinner. His statement was neither condoning nor condemning homosexuality, but instead respecting the church’s gay members and welcome them into communion with the Church. Francis’ comments may be vulnerable to misinterpretation, but he will not change the Church’s stance on hot button issues. He is merely adjusting the attitude with which the Church has engaged its alienated members in the past.
The Church is lucky to have a figurehead as welcoming as Pope Francis, especially as it tries to incorporate the younger, more progressive generation into its ranks. The older sons of the Church may perceive a tradeoff between fulfilling the yearnings of the younger generation for greater equality within the Church and the abandonment of Church dogma that has (pervaded) the centuries. Francis will help to shepherd the Church and its divided factions to a middle ground.
The “older sons” should take the Pope’s comments at face value and suspend judgment of members of the Church who have been made to feel more welcomed under the new pope.
Joe Clines, FCRH ‘14, is an economics major from Malverne, N.Y.
