Filipino religious trying to follow Pope Francis’ example – CBCP exec

A "more welcoming" Church. Might this be what Filipino Catholics can expect now that Pope Francis is at the helm? An official of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) seems to think so.

The Pope favors a more pastoral approach, said Fr. Francis Lucas, executive director of the CBCP's Episcopal Commission on Social Communication and Mass Media, in an interview on GMA News TV’s "News to Go".

"Parang anak mo, nakita mong nakahikaw, nakaswag ang damit, mumurahin mo ba yan? Hindi. Lalo't Christmas day lumapit sayo e hindi kayo nag-usap buong taon, mumurahin mo pa? Syempre aakapin mo siya. Hindi mo pwedeng basta birahin nang birahin 'yan kasi papaanong babalik sayo 'yan. He wants a Church that is welcoming to everybody, that's what he says,” said Lucas.

“[I]nstead of truly pushing people [away] to do more sins, you have to love them, even sinners. Yun ang mahalaga e, maging welcoming siya. Pag-usapan natin ito,” he added.



A new kind of Pope?

In a mere nine months, Pope Francis has gone from being a cardinal little-known outside his native Argentina to a beloved and popular figure worldwide, among Catholics and non-Catholics alike. And a lot of it has to do with how he expresses the Church's message.

Pope Francis does not go against the Church's stand that homosexual activity is a sin, but his statement—"If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?"—came as a welcome surprise to many.

He has also said that atheists should be recognized as good people if they do good. Furthermore, he has urged the Church to stop being so focused on issues such as gay marriage and birth control and instead seek a "new balance" by focusing on the poor and the needy.

With a leadership style that is more pastoral than doctrinal, said Lucas, the Pope is a controversial leader of change.

“Hindi yung ano ba ang tama, ano ang mali, based on doctrine...Ang sinasabi palagi niya, it's not to condemn, it's to understand. It is not to scold, but to care for [others]," he said.

Caring instead of scolding

Asked if the CBCP will soften its opposition to issues like the reproductive health law, divorce and homosexuality, Lucas said they will remain firm on their stand. There might not be a change in message, Lucas said, but a change in how the message is expressed.

“Tingin ko diyan, sa doctrinal matters, klaro ang simbahan diyan, hindi siya bibitaw diyan. Pero how it is expressed, how the whole gamut of what is happening in the society today, babaguhin 'yan at saka yung attitude, sabi ko nga nagsisimula na yan e,” said Lucas.

“The CBCP, tamang-tama new year, magkakaroon ng meetings uli, then that we'll have to see. We are left in suspense,” he added. — Amita O. Legaspi/BM, GMA News