VATICAN CORNER
Pope Francis spoke to 140 leaders at the assembly of the Superior Generals of male religious organizations and congregations, on November 25, 2016. The text of that conversation was published Feb. 9, 2017. In an unscripted question and answer session which lasted about three hours, Pope Francis admitted that there is “corruption” inside the Vatican, but said that despite this, his secret to maintain peace comes from St. Joseph and a strong prayer life. He said he has learned to follow the advice given to him by Italians, to maintain “a healthy couldn’t-care-less attitude.” If a problem comes up, Francis says he writes it down on a piece of paper and puts it underneath a statue of a sleeping St. Joseph in his room. St. Joseph now “sleeps on a mattress of notes!” and Francis said that is why “I sleep well: it is the grace of God.” He said I have experienced a sensation of profound peace ever since the moment I was elected. It has never left me. I live in peace. I cannot explain it. He said his daily regimen of personal prayer includes Mass, the rosary, the Liturgy of the Hours and scripture. After praying, “the peace within me grows…my peace is a gift from the Lord.” He told the gathered Superiors that each person must try to discover “what the Lord has chosen for them” and must never avoid problems, but carry them with humility. The Superiors must learn to suffer, but to suffer like a father. This is the path that can lead from the cross to peace. But never wash your hands of problems! Yes, in the Church there are Pontius Pilates who wash their hands to avoid discomfort. But a superior who washes his hands is not a father, and doesn’t help. The Superiors asked Francis what advice he had for dealing with financial and sexual scandals in their congregations. He said to the financial point, “the Lord strongly wants consecrated people to be poor.” “When they are not, the Lord sends a treasurer who leads the institute to bankruptcy!” The basic quality of someone serving as a treasurer “is not to be personally attached to the money,” he said, explaining that it’s also important to check into how banks invest money, because, as an example, “it must never happen that we are investing in weapons.” Regarding sexual abuse, Pope Francis noted that frequently abusers have themselves been victims of abuse. “Abuse is thus sowed into the future and this is devastating.” “If priests or religious are involved, it is clear that the devil is at work, who ruins the work of Jesus through those who should proclaim him.” He stressed the importance of recognizing that this type of behavior “is a disease.” “If we are not convinced that this is a disease, we cannot solve the problem,” and he urged the leaders to use scrutiny when examining candidates for religious life, paying careful attention to whether they are “sufficiently emotionally mature” or not. Upon leaving Pope Francis told the leaders “Go forward with courage and without fear of making mistakes! Someone who never makes mistakes is someone who does nothing. We must go forward! We err at times, yes, but there is always the mercy of God on our side!” Before leaving, Pope Francis said goodbye one by one to all those present.
Sources: ewtnnews.com, claret.org, corriere.it, diovaticana.va