Pope Francis causes some heartburn
So far, the best explanation I have come across for P-Noy’s difficulties with understanding the concept of a chain of command is this: Kasi, wala siyang asawa!
This probably is also the reason for his refusal to grant the Armed Forces of the Philippines a chief of staff with a fixed term of office of at least three years, as was recommended by Congress. Apparently, he prefers variety on a short-time basis rather than long-term relationships. At any rate, there is no point in calling for his resignation or impeachment. With only months to go before his term ends, we might as well just hope for the best in the remainder of his stay in office. From the looks of things, once he steps down he will have his hands full with all kinds of legal problems.
The Mamasapano incident appears to be a can of worms that continues to provide more surprises for everyone. Now the AFP wants to submit its own version of events to clarify the findings of the board of inquiry of the Philippine National Police.
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A few days ago before the second anniversary of his election to the papacy last March 13, Pope Francis granted an interview to Valentina Alazraki, Vatican correspondent of Televisa, a Mexican television network.
In the interview, he addressed a number of issues, including a possible visit to Mexico in 2016, the recent disappearance of some 43 Mexican students whose burnt bodies were later discovered, his devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, his problems with the Vatican Curia, and clerical sex abuse. But it was his thoughts on the continuation of his pontificate that attracted the most attention from Francis watchers.
Pope Francis noted the difficult times that Mexico was passing through. But connected it all with holiness. “I think that the devil is punishing Mexico with a lot of problems. The devil has not forgiven Mexico for Mary having shown her Son there. That is my interpretation.”
The Pope mentions his great devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, the “mestiza” virgin. “She was the mother who brought the Gospel to Mexico. . . She is an expectant mother. How does she reveal herself beyond the fact that she is pregnant? She appears as a mestiza. That is a prophecy of our American mixture of ethnicities.”
Pope Francis characterizes the Church’s central command (the Curia) as “the last court that remains in Europe. Other courts have democratized. . . The pontifical court is a bit atavistic. This has to change. The Vatican should be a working group at the service of the Church. At the service of bishops.”
On the probe of clerical sexual abuse, the Pope said “One priest alone that abuses a minor is sufficient to move all the structures of the Church to confront the problem. Even if there is only one priest, it is sufficient to be ashamed and to do what needs to be done.”
Then he drops the bombshell.
In the interview, Pope Francis talks about his pontificate. “I have the feeling my pontificate will be brief. Four or five years. I do not know, maybe two or three. Well, two have already passed. It’s like a little vague feeling.” He continues, “But I have the feeling the Lord put me there for a brief thing and not more.”
When asked by Alazraki about the idea that popes should resign when they reach age 80 (Pope Francis is now 78), the pontiff answered that he does not want to put a specific age. “I believe that the papacy has something of, of last instance. It is a special grace. I am of the idea of what Benedict did.”
Asked if he liked being pope, Francis replied, “I do not dislike it.” The only thing that he misses is the freedom to “go out to a pizzeria and eat pizza.” In Buenos Aires, he used to roam the streets while visiting parishes.
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It would be a disaster if Pope Francis decides to resign in two or three years. All the progress that is being made to reach out to the faithful who have lost or are on the verge of losing their faith in the Roman Catholic Church will be endangered by his stepping down. Now more than ever, we need a pontiff who has said that his dream is to lead “a poor Church for the poor.” Too many of our church leaders dream in terms of leading the country. They are in the wrong profession.
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Four years ago I wrote about Jesus Alcordo being awarded the degree of Doctor of Technology in Energy Management, honoris causa, by the University of San Carlos in Cebu City.
Last Saturday was another red letter day for the Alcordos. Jess and Yollie marked their golden wedding anniversary by renewing marriage vows at St. James the Great Parish in Ayala Alabang.
If there are two words to characterize the Alcordo union, it would be resilience in the face of difficulties and devotion to family. Through the years, they have shared experiences of joy and sorrow, success and failure, abundance and want. And it was this shared experiences that brought them closer together and have strengthened their bond of love and fidelity.
Jess was originally with the class of 1959 of the Philippine Military Academy. This was the plebe class when we were first class cadets. Circumstances not of his doing would lead to separation from the academy with just a year away from graduation, a devastating experience for anyone. But in time, with a lovely and understanding lady, Yolanda Villon, at his side, Jess picked up the pieces of his life and started on a meteoric climb in another world. The AFP’s loss would be the corporate world’s gain. Resilience and devotion to family—the mixture of success.
