Dear Editor, In response to a letter, ‘Catholics, faith and the Francis effect’, (IC 16/1/14), the doubt was expressed, would people fall away from their faith when Pope Francis dies and is replaced by someone with perhaps different abilities.
There is little doubt that Pope Francis’ powerful charisms have the ability to touch both Christians and non-Christian alike. There is encouraging evidence of this already. He is building on the philosophy and theology of his predecessors in a way which is accessible to the greater numbers.
The Pope’s hermeneutics delves deep into the Bible which is the foundational text of Christianity. He urges the Word of God to be woven into the cycle of work, worship and prayer of every community.
Therefore, the Bible is ‘embedded’ in the believing community, the foundational story that is constantly unfolding. This constant is the notion of vocation, of ‘being called’. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the results will have far-reaching effects in due course.
Thus, Pope Francis’ legacy and influence will last for many generations. In his own words, “goodness always tends to spread”.
Yours etc.,
Teresa Harty,
Cloyne,
Co. Cork.