Pope Francis faces a huge task in focusing his Church

Like the election of Barack Obama when, for the first time one felt hopeful that the world was finding a fresh, more inclusive language, Pope Francis also fascinates within and without Roman Catholicism.

Most immediately, the signs are encouraging: taking the name of the iconic servant figure of Francis with his commitment to the poor and as a Jesuit and bishop, his concern for social justice in testing times within turbulent Argentina. (We pray his record there will stand the light).
We all have a stake in the Bishop of Rome as the significant figure in world Christianity. We must be united – the wide spectrum of believers under the so-called Protestant umbrella and Roman Catholics. Some of the former are not afraid to value the term Catholic or catholic, meaning universal and therefore are eager to share it with the universal Church of Rome. Others in their spiritual pilgrimage are less acquainted with and enthused by the concept.
But haunting or challenging all followers of Jesus Christ is his mindset and mission revealed in the High Priestly Prayer “Father… that they might be One” and His command to his disciples, “Go into the world and preach the gospel, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
The Christian Church in the Western world has run out of steam in many places. It is compromised with the world. Benedict, now Pope Emeritus, is a great scholar whose passion to share Jesus Christ as Lord of the Creation sought to expose the emptiness and vanity in today’s secularism.
Thinking of the poster hanging in Ennis Cathedral, “Preach the Gospel and if you have to – use Words,” there is the powerful witness of action and example, which surely is an antidote and answer to a universe so disconnected at times.
I personally have been inspired in recent years by the practical kindness and generosity of many friends and neighbours inside and outside my own religious tradition.
One close friend introduced me to the great modern Franciscan preacher and teacher, Richard Rohr, who, for me, epitomises healthy, dynamic Christianity and Catholicism. He leads the Centre for Action and Contemplation in New Mexico province.
An advocate of non-dualistic consciousness, he promotes among Christians, Catholics and Protestants a more intuitive and felt approach to issues and relationships that allows room for difference. This avoids the defensive, protective and artificial man-made walls, which prevent us as individuals and as communities from viewing life creatively; it allows room for mystery as part of the Kingdom of God.
We see in the figure of the new Francis something of that worldly down-to-earthness, which can go and claim the world for God in service and vulnerability, in listening and including. The gesture at his Inauguration Eucharist to use a prayer in Greek and so seek to include the separated Orthodox after many generations of stand-off is wonderful.
I look forward to further mutual acts of expansiveness between Rome and Protestant churches including my own Anglican tradition, reflecting the fellowship happening on the ground among individuals and communities.
Francis has a huge task in focusing his Church. May it open its heart to the world. May its laity, including women, know greater empowerment in decision-making and may Christians of varied denominations know the joy of increasing co-operation in sharing the evangel with the rest of the world. Promoting greater unity between Christians is one thing. Finding new opportunities for meditation and service with other faiths is another urgent task. This is vital for the peace of the world.
On the recent festival of Patrick, I can say that I have also been inspired in recent years by the story of the early Celtic Church, which ultimately combined, thanks to Patrick and his followers, a great Gospel of God in nature and everywhere, a three – some God who spoke and acted in human life and raised it back to heavenly form, giving meaning to relationship.

n Canon Bob Hanna, Rector of Drumcliffe Group Parishes with Kilnasoolagh and Shannon.