New cardinals installed; Pope rebukes mediocrity

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis, joined by the church’s newest cardinals in Mass on Sunday, warned against mediocrity as well as seeking out “godfathers” to promote one’s own career. In his homily, Francis decried what he called “a dangerous kind of sleep: It is the slumber of mediocrity.” He added that Jesus “above all else detests lukewarm-ness.”

What happened

In Sunday’s homily Francis returned to a common theme in his papacy as he again warned against clericalism.

“If we are awaited in Heaven, why should we be caught up with earthly concerns? Why should we be anxious about money, fame, success, all of which will fade away?” the pope said.

Deviating from his prepared text, he added: “Why look for godfathers for promoting one’s career?”

Why it matters

In one of the most shocking illustrations of clericalism’s dangers, earlier this month, an internal Vatican report concluded that bishops, cardinals and even popes across decades dismissed or downplayed reports of sexual misconduct by a U.S. churchman, Theodore Mccarrick.

Mccarrick had risen steadily through the ranks of hierarchy, eventually holding the prestigious post of archbishop of Washington, D.C. He was stripped of his cardinal’s rank and defrocked in 2019 after an investigation substantiated allegations of sexual abuse against him.

While the in-house fact-finding noted the roles of Francis and Benedict XVI, his predecessor in the papacy, in not stopping Mccarrick’s abuse of his position, much of the fault was laid on John Paul II, the long-reigning pontiff who was quickly made saint after his death in 2005. John Paul appointed Mccarrick to the Washington post and made him cardinal despite having commissioned an inquiry that confirmed the U.S. prelate shared his bed with seminarians.

His focus for future

Francis in his homily recommended charity as the way for the Church to stay on mission.

“Some people seem to think that being compassionate, helping and serving others is for losers,” Francis said, after decrying indifference.

“When the Church worships God and serves our neighbor, it does not live in the night. However weak and weary, she journeys towards the Lord.”

Francis also prayed that God “rouse us from the slumber of mediocrity; awaken us from the darkness of indifference.”