In
this photo provided by the Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano, Pope
Francis celebrates his inaugural Mass with cardinals, inside the
Sistine Chapel, at the Vatican, Thursday, March 14, 2013. (AP
Photo/L’Osservatore Romano, ho)
Opinion: If Pope Francis revives Catholicism among US Latinos, it will be a miracle
by
8:44 am on 03/15/2013
When the world glimpsed the white smoke emanating from the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday, millions of Catholics were ecstatic that a new pope had been elected. Then came the historic news that this pontiff was the first from the Americas. Latinos of all faiths were thrilled by the realization that Pope Francis, the new head of the Roman Catholic Church, was an Argentine known for his humble ways.
It remains to be seen, however, whether this pope can reverse the decline in the number of Latino Catholics in the U.S. Pope Francis is unlikely to be a reformer, and his social conservatism puts him at odds with most American Hispanics. He arrives at the helm of the church at a time of crisis – and even his charisma may not be enough to bring Latinos back to the pews.
Although Latino Catholics are jubilant about Pope Francis’ election, the fact is that their numbers are declining in the U.S. According to Gallup polling, between 2008 and 2012 the number of Hispanics who identify as Catholic fell from 58 to 54 percent. Latinos are drifting away from the church, often to more welcoming protestant denominations which are not as bound by rules and tradition.
What’s more, Pope Francis does not share the values of most American Hispanics. Many Latinos are quite liberal when it comes to the hot-button issues of abortion and same-sex marriage. In contrast, in 2012 then-Cardinal Bergoglio spoke out against abortion, saying it was ”never the right choice.” He has called same-sex marriage the work of the devil and a “destructive attack on God’s plan.” He has defended the Vatican’s stance on celibacy, birth control, and the ordination of women. So while there is much about Pope Francis that is new and exciting, at heart he is devoted to the traditional Catholic doctrine.
Then again, how could Pope Francis not be traditional? He was elected by one of the most conservative, secretive organizations in the world. The conclave does not choose rebels. Going against the grain of such a massive institution, in an official capacity, is virtually impossible. But for these same reasons, it will be an uphill climb for Pope Francis to prove to American Hispanics that the church remains relevant to their daily lives.
Pope Francis has an admirable history of devotion to the poor. He comes from the Jesuits, an order devoted to education and social justice. In 2007, he told a group of Latin American bishops that income inequality is a “social sin,” and he has criticized church leaders for their “hypocrisy” in not being more involved in their communities. Still, populist appeal has limits. Consider that in the pope’s native Argentina, 76 percent of the population identifies as Catholic, yet only about 25 percent regularly attends mass.
There are steps that Pope Francis can take to engage Hispanic Catholics. He can promote a more transparent church bureaucracy, by initiating policies to ensure that the abuse scandals and cover-ups are a thing of the past. And as the son of immigrants, he can be a voice in support of immigration reform and in defense of the undocumented. Such measures may not fill the pews on Sunday – but they will remind people that the church can be a powerful force for good.
Pope Francis has captured the attention of the world, and the hearts of millions of faithful Hispanic Catholics. Yet he is constrained by the very institution that has chosen him as its spiritual leader. Expecting him to lead a revival of Catholicism among U.S. Latinos may asking for a miracle that even he cannot perform.
When the world glimpsed the white smoke emanating from the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday, millions of Catholics were ecstatic that a new pope had been elected. Then came the historic news that this pontiff was the first from the Americas. Latinos of all faiths were thrilled by the realization that Pope Francis, the new head of the Roman Catholic Church, was an Argentine known for his humble ways.
It remains to be seen, however, whether this pope can reverse the decline in the number of Latino Catholics in the U.S. Pope Francis is unlikely to be a reformer, and his social conservatism puts him at odds with most American Hispanics. He arrives at the helm of the church at a time of crisis – and even his charisma may not be enough to bring Latinos back to the pews.
Although Latino Catholics are jubilant about Pope Francis’ election, the fact is that their numbers are declining in the U.S. According to Gallup polling, between 2008 and 2012 the number of Hispanics who identify as Catholic fell from 58 to 54 percent. Latinos are drifting away from the church, often to more welcoming protestant denominations which are not as bound by rules and tradition.
What’s more, Pope Francis does not share the values of most American Hispanics. Many Latinos are quite liberal when it comes to the hot-button issues of abortion and same-sex marriage. In contrast, in 2012 then-Cardinal Bergoglio spoke out against abortion, saying it was ”never the right choice.” He has called same-sex marriage the work of the devil and a “destructive attack on God’s plan.” He has defended the Vatican’s stance on celibacy, birth control, and the ordination of women. So while there is much about Pope Francis that is new and exciting, at heart he is devoted to the traditional Catholic doctrine.
Then again, how could Pope Francis not be traditional? He was elected by one of the most conservative, secretive organizations in the world. The conclave does not choose rebels. Going against the grain of such a massive institution, in an official capacity, is virtually impossible. But for these same reasons, it will be an uphill climb for Pope Francis to prove to American Hispanics that the church remains relevant to their daily lives.
Pope Francis has an admirable history of devotion to the poor. He comes from the Jesuits, an order devoted to education and social justice. In 2007, he told a group of Latin American bishops that income inequality is a “social sin,” and he has criticized church leaders for their “hypocrisy” in not being more involved in their communities. Still, populist appeal has limits. Consider that in the pope’s native Argentina, 76 percent of the population identifies as Catholic, yet only about 25 percent regularly attends mass.
There are steps that Pope Francis can take to engage Hispanic Catholics. He can promote a more transparent church bureaucracy, by initiating policies to ensure that the abuse scandals and cover-ups are a thing of the past. And as the son of immigrants, he can be a voice in support of immigration reform and in defense of the undocumented. Such measures may not fill the pews on Sunday – but they will remind people that the church can be a powerful force for good.
Pope Francis has captured the attention of the world, and the hearts of millions of faithful Hispanic Catholics. Yet he is constrained by the very institution that has chosen him as its spiritual leader. Expecting him to lead a revival of Catholicism among U.S. Latinos may asking for a miracle that even he cannot perform.
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