Pastoral approach of Pope Francis
Examining the need to offer understanding, comfort and acceptance
Recently I had the opportunity of visiting with Pope Francis with the other Atlantic Bishops as we made our ad limina visit to Rome.
We discussed the pastoral issues that affect us here in Atlantic Canada. As I reflected on this discussion, I was struck with the example of the pastoral approach of Pope Francis.
The foundation of the pastoral approach of Pope Francis is his commitment to the spiritual welfare of people above all, rather than putting rules ahead of people. In our discussion of euthanasia and assisted suicide, Pope Francis spoke how, the day before our visit, he had encountered a young man who was going to Switzerland to rent an apartment and kill himself because of his health condition. The Pope listened to his story, showed his love for him, hugged him and then left it in the hands of God. Likewise, he noted that many women carry the cross of abortion and we need to help those with the help they need. While he was clear about our teaching on euthanasia and abortion, his focus was on those who are most affected by these serious issues of our world today. He noted that we need to offer understanding, comfort and acceptance, rather than imposing straightaway a set of rules that only lead people to feel judged and abandoned by the very mother called to show them God’s mercy. He gave examples of how people became aware of their own sinfulness when they had an encounter with Jesus’ gratuitous love.
The second element I noted in his pastoral approach was his focus on growing and making progress in our life of faith. Pope Francis understands people attain maturity only gradually and their integration of any stage of moral development is subject to reformation in times of crisis, and so
The Pope reminded us that things often happen gradually. If the Lord has patience with us, then we need to be patient with others. God’s patience must be the root of pastoral patience.
needs to be reaffirmed over and over again in the course of our lives. Learning from the unconditional love that God has for each of us, Pope Francis believes that the church must turn with love to those who participate in her life in an imperfect manner: seeking the grace of conversion for them; encouraging them to do good, to take loving care of each other and to serve the community in which they live and work (AL, nn. 78, 291). He believes that we must be realistic in our pastoral care and follow the model of the pastoral example of Jesus who recognized the spiritual longings at work in those who came to him. The Pope reminded us that things often happen gradually. If the Lord has patience with us, then we need to be patient with others. God’s patience must be the root of pastoral patience.
Pope Francis’ pastoral realism recognizes the complications of people’s lives at any given point in time and he noted the need for accompaniment of people in situations like cohabitation, civil marriage,
second marriages without annulment and so on. He noted that what counts is life, not formulas. We need to grow in discernment, beyond the logic of black and white situations, for many people’s lives are grey and they need spiritual guidance and accompaniment through the stages of the Christian life.
This leads to the third element in his pastoral approach, the importance of accompaniment and discernment. Pope Francis uses the example of Jesus, who accompanied people in truth, patience and mercy as he proclaimed the demands of the Kingdom of God (AL, no. 60). He sincerely believes that Jesus wants a church attentive to the goodness which the Holy Spirit sows in the midst of human weakness, a mother who, while clearly expressing her objective teaching, always does what good she can.
I was deeply impressed by the example of Pope Francis and I am convinced that so many people are attracted to Pope Francis because of his pastoral approach. May the coming celebration of Easter give us new hope as we see the example of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, lived out in those who provide pastoral ministry to us.