‘The world has fallen in love with Pope Francis, but we should be cautious’

Irish Times | October 6, 2014

From the moment he stepped onto the balcony of St Peter’s after his election he caught the imagination of the world. He exuded something of the warmth, exuberance and humor of Latin America.

Francis is a gifted, gentle, intellectually able, humble man. The first thing that struck me when I saw him was that his shoes were quite battered, and that he had all the appearance of an elderly, burly farmer who had put the pope’s white robes on top of his normal clothing. He is very willing to give generously of himself. A natural leader, he lives what he teaches and believes, a powerful model of what it is to be a Catholic.

The world has fallen in love with Pope Francis, which is a good thing, but we should be cautious of the constant claims that he intends to change church teaching. In particular the synod now being held in Rome is revealing deep divisions within the church, making it the greatest challenge for his pontificate thus far. The voices for change claim to speak for Pope Francis, which is absurd, and they press for change even if their proposals contradict the gospel.

Source: http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/religion-and-beliefs/the-world-has-fallen-in-love-with-pope-francis-but-we-should-be-cautious-1.1952880?page=1