THE FRANCIS EFFECT
Editors: Danielle Achikian, Peter Gates and Lana Turvey
Publisher: Catholic Mission, Catholic Religious, Australia
Price: $15
Reviewed by Terry Oberg
I HAVE a monthly luncheon with two friends.
It is a get together of three elderly men. Our conversation revolves around many topics, but some that always dominate are the great American songbook, politics and Catholicism.
Our unanimous verdict for October, concerning religion, was that Pope Francis was the hope of the Church.
This little book reinforces that assertion.
The editors have collected the thoughts of twelve eminent Australian Catholics about the present Pope particularly as he reveals himself through his Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium.
Unlike the Synod on the Family, women contributors outnumber the men seven to five. One of the ladies is a nun.
Sister Suzette Clark writes of the papal influence on modern religious life while making more than a passing reference to the plight of some refugees as they seek shelter in our country. Professor Anne Cummins is an academic interested in the influence Pope Francis may wield on the culture of Catholic educational institutions.
The others are prominent in promoting social justice in its varying forms.
Each applies the Papal document to their specific fields of interest such as youth, the aged, leadership and evangelisation.
Columban Father Noel Connolly looks at a theology of leadership as presented by Pope Francis and his influence on our indigenous people is analysed by Graeme Mundine from Sydney’s Aboriginal Catholic ministry.
Divine Word Missionaries Father Tim Norton has a vision of how multiculturalism can be incorporated in to our parishes with the Apostolic exhortation his guiding light.
Catholic Mission national director Martin Teulan enlarges on the call that is made to all of us to be missionaries in our various ways. Joe Moloney’s special interest in migrants is also viewed through the Holy Father’s eyes.
Each writer’s ideas are prefaced by an apposite quote from Evangelii Gaudium and they conclude with a set of questions, the responses to which present an accurate summary of the preceding contents.
This makes the publication suitable for group discussion, as does the clarity and sincerity of each contributor.
If the above-mentioned group of senior citizens is right about the influence of Pope Francis, it is a volume such as this, which promotes his thoughts, that will help disseminate ideas that we all need to hear.
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