BY word and example, Pope Francis challenges Catholic parishes to be prayerful and Christ-centred, joyfully embrace the Cross of Christ; be poor parishes for the poor, make parish visitation and support for the poor and marginalised a high priority, be humble and compassionate; be heavily involved in social justice, centre parish leadership on service rather than power, communicate with truth, goodness and beauty; downplay pomp and ceremony, be custodians of Creation, act tenderly towards all God’s creatures and live peacefully, simply and sustainably.
Pope Francis is the first Jesuit pope. The Jesuits have stated that, “There are two great challenges of the 21st Century: overcoming poverty and managing climate change, not separate acts but linked in interdependence.” (Special Report on Ecology, Healing a Broken World, Social Justice and Ecology Secretariat, Society of Jesus, p. 36-37.)
Is it time for parish review?
GRANT ALLEN
Sunshine Coast, Qld
