Getting to Know Pope Francis: the Aparecida Document

The new pope did not come to Rome with abundant time on the world stage and a portfolio of voluminous writings, like his immediate predecessor.  He is a new friend, whom the world must get to know.

Still on a honeymoon, the media seems content that the pope has a nice smile and adopted the name of a beloved saint.  Entering "Pope Francis" in a PhillyBurbs.com search confirms a general charm with the new pontiff.  Yet, news outlets are responsible to dig deeper.  It would be disingenuous to claim to be covering a public figure, while ignoring readily available data.

In 2007, Jorge Cardinal Bergoglio shepherded the concluding document of the 5th General Conference of the Bishops of Latin America & the Caribbean - aka, the Aparecida Document (See http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001zfgEjazngcDkb-CDq5PuTPh6YDax3DvDsre_AUvJtgPEZSvBut6dAOXjv7VtXs9hRM0VA6LHOj6yRiUI86eAyLNY8ZRaZSfZZGMiHMEPS8F8dC1l3bdrzjryZenJqU-LhDaE8lxVg9wafdTT2_spQrQROi5Qag2SaSVTIVYrG1RPMHIFCbJDYQ==).  While the text runs less than 150 pages, it is a comprehensive, concise, and dense analysis, an unapologetic call for change, and an inspiring assurance of God's love and assistance!  The Aparecida Document may provide our best tool for learning about the mind and heart of Pope Francis.

Not surprisingly, the Aparecida Document is unwavering in its proclamation of the dignity of each and every human being from fertilization till natural death.  It evidences deep awareness of the giftedness of the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as their difficulties.  It discusses poverty and dehumanizing, violent mistreatment of peoples, evidenced by such crimes as human trafficking and sexual tourism.  It speaks of the tragedy of illegal drugs, as well as the economic exploitation of Latin America and the Caribbean by powerful nations and businesses - such as pharmaceutical corporations (cf, # 83).

Deeply concerned about family, the Aparecida Document reminds us that "Conjugal love is reciprocal giving between a man and a woman, the spouses: it is faithful and exclusive to death, and fruitful, open to life and to educating children, resembling the fruitful love of the Blessed Trinity" (# 117).  "Within the parish boundaries, the Christian family is the first and most basic ecclesial community. That is where the fundamental values of Christian life are lived and passed on (# 204).

While obviously supportive of efforts to help peoples, the Aparecida Document reminds us that "A democracy without values...easily becomes a dictatorship and ultimately betrays the people" (# 74), and "there cannot be true and stable democracy without social justice, without real separation of powers, and unless the rule of law is upheld" (# 76).  We would be well advised to heed its warning about disrespect for "the right of religious freedom" and "conscientious objection" (cf, # 80).


The Aparecida Document is certainly NOT a downer - it joyfully discusses the "Good News of Human Dignity," "the Good News of Life," the Good News of the Family," "the Good News of Human Activity," and "the Good News of the Universal Destiny of Goods and Ecology" (cf, # 104 - # 126), calling us to communion with God and each other and to become ever more like Jesus Christ. 

So far, this sounds not so different from Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI, right?  Where the difference may lie is that this deceptively gentle new pontiff may be ready to kick theological butt and toss out the proverbial money changers from the temple: 

• "We hope that legislators, heads of government, and health professionals, conscious of the dignity of human life and of the rootedness of the family in our peoples, will defend and protect it from the abominable crimes of abortion and euthanasia; that is their responsibility. Hence, in response to government laws and provisions that are unjust in the light of faith and reason, conscientious objectionshould be encouraged. We must adhere to 'eucharistic coherence,' that is, be conscious that they cannot receive holy communion and at the same time act with deeds or words against the commandments, particularly when abortion, euthanasia, and other grave crimes against life and family are encouraged. This responsibility weighs particularly over legislators, heads of governments, and health professionals" (# 436). 

Will Pope Francis end the scandal of "Catholics" in public life, who advocate positions that are anathema to Catholicism, but who do not hesitate to approach for Holy Communion?