Indian lay leaders hope for successor to Francis legacy

‘Pope Francis made a high office human. People loved a pope they could understand, not a subject of fear or reverence.’

Pope Francis’ legacy will be key to the work of the next pope, commentators agreed, as they anticipated white smoke from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney later this week.

“It is critical the new pope is one who continues with the reforms initiated by Pope Francis,” veteran rights activist John Dayal told The Tablet. “He brought the papacy within touching distance of the common man, not just the Catholic laity. He made a high office human. People loved a pope they could understand, not a subject of fear or reverence.”

“I would want that the new pontiff be a prophet on the global stage, keeping the invisible at the centre. A messiah for the voiceless, with a thirst for social justice and one who offers hope in a warring and divided world while continuing Francis’ fight against clericalism and clergy sexual abuse,” said Astrid Lobo Gajiwala, a theologian, scientist and activist, speaking to The Tablet.

She said he should be guided less by canon law and tradition and more by the “Joy of the Gospels”. The 267th pope should encourage dialogue to preserve diversity and examine dissent in the Church, said Gajiwala, who serves as secretary of Ecclesia of Women in Asia and executive member International Church Reform Network.

Corroborating her view, Virginia Saldhana, a theologian and former executive secretary of the Office of Laity & Family of the Asian Catholic Bishops’ Forum (FABC), said: “I want the new pope to be humane, approachable and ‘with the smell of the sheep’.”

She told The Tablet that he should continue the path of Synodality started by Francis.  “I don’t want Peter’s successor to look upon ‘gender’ as a bad word.  May people of all genders be given their rights and place in the community of God’s people,” said Saldhana.

Dayal noted Francis’ role in empowering the laity, including giving women high office in the curia and its agencies.  He said the new pope should take this further.  Saldhana, meanwihile, said the new pope should acknowledge the scientific fact of LGBT identity and encourage parents to accept their LGBT children.

The youth leader Derek Pinto told The Tablet that young people believe “that like Papa Francis, his successor should consider challenges posed by climate change and care for the planet. Be a friend to the young and help them overcome collective challenges.”

He continued: “While continuing the good work of his predecessor, the new pope should also bring in some freshness, some newness to his papacy.”

Sr Geradette Philips, a Religious of the Sacred Heart, said the Church needs a shepherd close to the people, rooted in mercy, open to interfaith dialogue, and unafraid to go out to the margins.

“We ask for a leader who mirrors Francis, listens deeply, speaks with love, lives with humility but at the same time has courage to speak truth to power,” she said.

Gajiwala added: “Above all I would want him to follow the synodal process of journeying together to transform our hierarchical, patriarchal, androcentric Church into a believing community of equal discipleship.”

The papal succession – the servant of the servants of god

College of Cardinals – voices from the subcontinent

Stay updated — add us as a preferred news source on Google: