Category: Commentary

Julia Smucker: A pontiff to build bridges

Bridgefolk perspectives on Pope Francis

One meaning of the word “pontiff,” as some have pointed out, is “bridge-builder,” and there was much speculation going into the conclave that the need for a pope to bridge geological and ideological divides in the worldwide Catholic Church would be a prominent concern on the cardinals’ minds.  Electing someone with pastoral as well as managerial capabilities, who could connect the first and third world and represent the breadth and depth of Catholic teaching and praxis, seemed like a tall order, but they appear to have found their man in Cardinal Bergoglio, now Pope Francis.  As an Argentinean with Italian parentage, Francis comes to the papacy with an understanding of the concerns facing the Church in multiple contexts.  He has demonstrated a deep concern for the poor and marginalized which has already become a defining feature of his pontificate, while also acknowledging the “spiritual poverty” that pervades much of the industrial West.  Not only does he show strong commitment to social justice as well as doctrinal soundness, he has a remarkable way of showing by word and deed that the two are inseparable.

Our affable pontiff has great potential to unify the Catholic Church, but if he is to do so, we must all do our part by resisting temptations to turn him into a polarizing figure or force him into any ideological mold.  This may be a particular challenge for Catholics in the United States, steeped as we are in a dramatically polarized political and ecclesial atmosphere.  No pope has been truly compatible with North American political labels, but ironically the first “New World” pope is particularly poised to give us a fresh reminder of this.  His deep love for the poor and his deep commitment to the Catholic tradition cannot be set against each other, in short, because he is Catholic.  Hopefully, what he teaches by example can inspire us to bridge divides in our own corners of the Catholic world.

Julia Smucker is graduate student in the School of Theology at Saint John’s University and writes for the Vox Nova website.

Gerald Schlabach: A pope from the global South

Bridgefolk perspectives on Pope Francis

On some issue or another, any pope who takes seriously his responsibility to guide the discernment and to name the consensus of the global Church will probably disappoint every Catholic, along with other Christians who care about the witness of Catholicism in the world.  The Church is simply too big, with a calling to express the gospel in so many cultures, for the pastoral judgments of the bishop of Rome to line up with one’s views and priorities across the board.

To be sure, every pope has been called to take seriously this global pastoral responsibility.  But now we have a pope from the global South, and hopes run high.  He is an experienced bishop from the streets and barrios of Argentina.  He has named himself after Francis of Assisi, who is not only Catholicism’s most beloved saint but an exemplar of cross-class simplicity and cross-cultural peacemaking. He has de-vested himself of the most ostentatious trappings of clerical privilege. Disappointing traditionalists immediately, he has washed the feet of Muslims and women.

But sooner or later, on some issue or another, Francis will disappoint the rest of us too.  And that is okay.  Christians from the global South do this (not just Catholics). They are delightfully frustrating for North Americans and Europeans in their tendency to reshuffle our categories of left, right, progressive, orthodox, liberal, conservative. We deceive ourselves if we claim to champion just relationships between North and South yet disparage their voices.

So in fact this will be the opportunity we need.  The first pope from the global South — along with likely successors who will soon come from Africa and Asia – will teach us truly to learn practices of global Christian solidarity, and to become the world Church of which the Second Vatican Council has been foretaste and guide.  We now have no excuse.

Gerald W. Schlabach is a co-founder of the Bridgefolk movement. As professor of theology at the University of St. Thomas (MN) he teaches a class on Global Christianity.

Darrin Synder Belousek: Pope Francis and ecumenical relations

Bridgefolk perspectives on Pope Francis

The question of whether Pope Francis will emphasize ecumenical dialogue and promote efforts for church unity has already been answered.  It is no accident the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians, attended Francis’ inauguration mass in St. Peter’s Square.  This marked a first since the Great (East-West) Schism that divided the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions in the 11th tentury,. Upon Francis’ election, Bartholomew I, who had friendly relations with John Paul II and Benedict XVI, commented confidently that the new Pope “will give a new impetus to the two Churches’ journey towards unity.”

Giving substance to that expectation, Francis held a special audience the day after his inaugural for delegations from various non-Catholic Christian churches and communities, at which Bartholomew I offered the opening address.  In his prepared remarks, Francis recalled the significance of the Second Vatican Council, now marking its fiftieth anniversary, “for the progress of ecumenism.”  He quoted John XXIII’s opening address to the Council: “The Catholic Church considers it her duty to work actively for the fulfillment of the great mystery of that unity for which Jesus Christ prayed”—ut unum sint [“that they may all be one,” John 17:21].  Francis then confirmed that “in continuity with my predecessors, it is my firm intention to pursue the path of ecumenical dialogue” and thanked the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, which has conducted dialogues with various ecclesial bodies (including Mennonite World Conference), for its work in service of the church.

Personally, I am encouraged by Francis’s election.  His message and demeanor evidence the humble spirit of a disciple and the gentle heart of a pastor, which is precisely what the church needs—a shepherd who can lead “the people of God’s pasture” toward one another in love and toward Jesus Christ in faith and hope.

Darrin W. Snyder Belousek is executive director of Bridgefolk.

Msgr. John A. Radano: Pope Francis and the ministry of unity

Bridgefolk perspectives on Pope Francis

A significant aspect of the complex office and ministry of the Pope is his ministry of unity. As Bishop of the local Diocese of Rome and in his universal ministry as Pope of the Catholic Church throughout the world, he must foster the unity of Christ’s people in the one apostolic faith and sacramental life. Because of their office, popes have also felt the ecumenical responsibility of fostering the unity of divided Christians in response to Christ’s prayer for the unity of his disciples’ (John 17:21), of promoting interfaith harmony with members of other great world religions, and of fostering good relations and peace among the nations of the world.

Over the last century, especially starting with Pope Leo XIII (+1903), popes have contributed to the unity of Christians in different ways. This is especially true of the popes of Vatican II.  John XXIII, after calling for Vatican II in 1958,  ensured, before it began in 1962,  that the pastoral concern for Christian unity would be part of it. In 1960 he established the Secretariat For Promoting Christian Unity, and in 1961 he approved the invitation to other churches and communities to send delegates to the Council. Pope Paul VI approved the Council’s Decree on Ecumenism, and together with Athenagoras I, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, put aside the mutual condemnations of 1054 which led to the schism of East and West. John Paul II published the great papal encyclical on ecumenism Ut Unum Sint, and pushed for the Lutheran-Catholic Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification. Benedict XVI supported these and many ecumenical activities.

Pope Francis I, in accepting this office with its ministry of unity, stands on the ecumenical shoulders of those Popes. Let us pray for him as he fosters unity.

Rev. Msgr. John A. Radano teaches in the School of Theology at Seton Hall University.  Having served in the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity at the Vatican for twenty-four years, he now serves on the Bridgefolk board.

 

Marlene Kropf: A pope who resonates with Mennonites

Bridgefolk perspectives on Pope Francis

Many Mennonites have been heartened by the choice of a new pope.  Leaders of both Mennonite World Conference and Mennonite Church USA immediately sent words of blessing to Pope Francis I and promised to support him in prayer.

At the invitation of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, two Mennonites attended the March 19 and 20 inaugural services in Rome, where they greeted the new pope personally.  What impressed them were the same qualities of humility and simplicity that many Mennonites have noticed.  They wrote, in a news report, that “Pope Francis seems to be a very friendly and humble person.  It was our impression that he will take steps to let the papal office appear in a different way.” They mentioned the significance of small signs, such as the fact that he chose not to stand on a podium during the audience with ecumenical guests, but instead occupied a chair that was the same kind as the one given to the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople.

The letter sent by Mennonite Church USA leaders affirmed his choice of a name that “reminds us of Francis of Assisi, a follower of Jesus who loved peace, cared for the poor, and cherished creation.”  They concluded, “Most of all, we appreciate his profound commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Though Mennonites know that a single leader, no matter how powerful, cannot renew the church by himself, they are deeply hopeful that Pope Francis I will continue to nurture the friendship that is growing between Mennonites and Roman Catholics.  Beyond that, they look forward to seeing how the new pope will work toward the unity of all Christians and extend a hand of friendship to all people of faith.

Marlene Kropf is Co-Chair of Bridgefolk.

Abbot John Klassen: Why the name ‘Francis’ matters

Bridgefolk perspectives on Pope Francis

What’s in a name?  Well, we are pretty sophisticated listeners and watchers these days and realize that a name, whether for a commercial product such as a deodorant or a car, matters hugely.  When a Pope-elect announces what he is to be called, it is a first signal as to how he understands what he will do as pontiff.  Thus, John Paul I and John Paul II were signaling that they saw their pontificates in relationship to the work of John XXIII and Paul VI.  Benedict wished to express his concern for the message of the Gospel in Europe and followed in the footsteps of Pope Benedict XV, who was noted for his peacemaking efforts during the Great War of 1914-1918.

I have heard a story that when Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was still in the Sistine Chapel, immediately following the election, a cardinal next to him said, “Whatever you do, don’t forget the poor!”  In that moment, Cardinal Bergoglio knew that his name was to be ‘Francis.’

By choosing the name Francis (after Francis of Assisi) the Pope evokes the spirit of a saint who is beloved and admired by all Christians.  The name Francis is associated with humility, simplicity, compassion, keeping the Gospel in focus at all times, always watching out for the poor.  In the early days of his pontificate, Pope Francis is taking the name seriously: by stepping away from the trappings of the papacy, by going to a prison for young people to wash the feet of young women and men, Christian and Muslim, and by reaching out to ordinary people.

Any one of us could list ten things Pope Francis needs to do!  Right now!  Before all else, in the spirit of Saint Francis, he needs to witness to the simplicity, compassion, and integrity of Jesus in the Gospels.

John Klassen, OSB is Abbot of Saint John’s Abbey and Co-Chair of Bridgefolk.

Gerald Schlabach reflects on religious freedom in Commonweal magazine

An article by former Bridgefolk director Gerald Schlabach on religious freedom appears in the current issue of Commonweal magazine.  The article, “Outvoted, Not Persecuted: Four Lessons about Religious Freedom” takes the experience of Mennonites, historic peace churches, and other minority churches into debates among American Catholics about whether their religious liberties are being threatened.

The full article is available for Commonweal subscribers at http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/outvoted-not-persecuted, but the following excerpts convey the arc of Schlabach’s argument:   Continue reading “Gerald Schlabach reflects on religious freedom in Commonweal magazine” →

Michael Turman reflects on experiencing “double eucharist”

Mennonite and Catholic communion
Reflections on an experience at the Bridgefolk conference

article by Michael Turman
in Canadian Mennonite Young Voices 

Michael Turman

I had an experience of God’s presence at St. Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph, Minnesota, in July at the Bridgefolk conference. “Bridgefolk is a movement of sacramentally-minded Mennonites and peace-minded Catholics,” says its mission statement. Every year Bridgefolk holds a gathering of Mennonites and Catholics to celebrate, explore, and honour each others’ practices and traditions. In practice this happens through friendship and open discussion of shared values. Over the ten or so years that Bridgefolk has been meeting, a committed group has formed. Even though I was attending for the first time, it felt like a family reunion.

In some way, I was among family. The Mennonite and Catholic churches are both like home to me. As the eldest child of a Mennonite and Catholic marriage, I was raised in both churches. I learned the mystery and holiness of the sacraments of baptism and communion from the Catholics and I learned the holy joy of four-part hymn singing and the sacred value of community (and potlucks!) from the Mennonites. I have been spiritually sustained at times both by praying the rosary and by volunteering for Mennonite Central Committee.

With such committed, faithful Christians on both sides of my church family, why must we be Mennonites and Catholics? Why shouldn’t the two churches learn from each other? Continue reading “Michael Turman reflects on experiencing “double eucharist”” →

Salvation and peace: bridging another divide

An artificial divide

by Darrin Snyder Belousek

[The following article by Bridgefolk’s Executive Director appeared recently in PeaceSigns, the online magazine of the Mennonite Church USA Peace and Justice Support Network]

 

There were several things that attracted me to the Mennonite-Christian tradition-discipleship, community, simplicity, service, and, of course, peace. In my fifteen years among the Mennonites, however, I have observed two disconcerting tendencies in the Mennonite peace ethic.

First, too often we practice peacemaking as if peace were the fruit of our good intentions and hard work. We thus neglect two things: the reality of the persistence of sin in ourselves and our world despite our best intentions, and the need for divine grace to sustain the spiritual fertility of human effort. Consequently, Mennonite peace activism can often be a cause of frustration (when our intentions falter) or an occasion for pride (when our efforts “succeed”).

Second, too often we think and talk about peace in ways that reflect our national contexts and reveal our political commitments. We thus forget two things: that our hope for peace is to be set on God’s purposes for the world, and that our commitment to peace is to be aligned with the priorities of God’s kingdom. Consequently, Mennonite peace rhetoric can often be hardly distinguishable from a national “peacekeeper” identity (Canada) or a left-wing partisan agenda (United States).