-OpEd-
BOGOTÁ — With the election of Robert Francis Prevost as the new pope, there are serious expectations about the position the Catholic Church will take on the rights of women and the LGBTQ+ population. Pope Francis had opened discussions about inclusion in the Church, but left the topics largely incomplete.
Thus in the face of the unknown, it seems that it is the faithful rather than the Pope Leo XIV who will provide the answers.
It looks as if a part of the Church, and of society in general, were waiting for the papal endorsement to believe in what is fair — such as Human Rights. And though it is understandable, it is ultimately not necessary.
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Such expectations are more akin to that of children awaiting instructions from their parents as to what is right and what is wrong. For example, whose approval do we need to consider that all people are free and equal in the eyes of God? It’s as if the transformation of the Church were the exclusive task of the ecclesial hierarchy — which shows itself rather reluctant and erratic — and not a task that is also in our hands as believers.
Responsibility of the faithful
If Pope Leo XIV decided to speak out against the greatest commandment, which is to love thy neighbor, would we have to obey in blind submission the main teaching of Jesus, just because the holy father decided to do so?
Beyond whether or not the pope considers that the inclusion of women is an urgent priority — which it is — or that the LGBTQ+ population should be included; if I, as a faithful woman, consider that it is just and necessary, it is also my responsibility to promote that principle over and above what the ecclesial authority says.
I want to call on us, as believers, to reclaim our freedom of conscience and the legitimacy of what we believe in.
Attention! I am in no way unaware of the pope’s leadership and influence, nor of the importance of his work, but I do want to call on us, as believers, to reclaim our freedom of conscience and the legitimacy of what we believe in. Our convictions are not at the whim of the papacy or any other man in charge. Our deep and sincere convictions, in which we believe that the Church has to change, also endow us with responsibility.
Signs of the times
When, as parishioners, we took decisive steps, the Church had no choice but to follow the move. Perhaps not at the same pace or as quickly as we would like, but we, the faithful, are the ones who must demand that the Church transform itself according to reality, that it read the signs of the times.
The question, beyond whether or not Pope Leo XIV will push forward the pending issues, is about what will be our task if the highest ecclesial authority does not do so; about what role we are going to take and how.
This does not mean that the responsibility is exclusively the responsibility of the faithful, but it is necessary to face the upcoming scenario with determination.
Although Francis enjoyed global acceptance for making small gestures on inclusion, it did not translate into practical applications in the Church and remained general references. Yet even those passing mentions were enough for the most reactionary segments of the Church to point him out as an enemy.
Meanwhile, more progressive factions, although they applauded him, were left with an aftertaste of disappointment because they hoped for greater progress. In the troubled river of expectations, rumors and fears, the pope is awaiting conversations with the faithful that the ecclesiastical hierarchy keeps postponing.
Missionary church
There is no doubt that Francis pushed the Church forward. He made uncomfortable an ecclesiastical hierarchy that had become complacent in power, forgetting its pastoral mission and turning its back on believers, ignoring their needs and concerns. Francis’ papacy shook structures, denounced corruption and put on the table the urgency of getting closer again, as a Church, to the people.
However ugly remnants of the past remained: the reluctance to update its moral doctrine, the insistence on the grave sins allegedly committed by LGBTQ+ people and the accusation of women undergoing abortions as criminals.
It would be naïve to underestimate the potential of change that Leo XIV holds.
And, in that sense, it would be naïve to underestimate the potential of change that Leo XIV holds. While the power of the Church is in constant re-evaluation, his influence and political power is undeniable, coming as a counterbalance to the far-right narrative around the world. His teachings can have a positive impact on maintaining the dialogue on the search for peace, action against climate change and a Church that is closer to the people.
Pope Leo XIV precisely stated in his first address: “We must seek together how to be a missionary Church, a Church that builds bridges, dialogue, always open to receive like this square with its open arms, all, all who need our charity, our presence, dialogue and love.”
Now, if in this search for love and dialogue there is no space for women and LGBTQ+ people, once again the fundamental Christian call, which is love for all people, is not being fulfilled. If in those bridges of dialogue we continue not to be seen as legitimate interlocutors, it is also necessary that, as believers, we continue to demand what is just.
If the pope loses sight of us, we will not, and our existence and needs as believers will not disappear. This would only be one pope of the 267 who have persisted in not looking this way.
