I Don’t Buy Headlines Claiming Idaho Catholics Mourn Pope Francis

I’m a conservative.  Pope Francis was a liberal in many ways.  However, he did support some traditional views, and that seems to be too often forgotten.  For instance, he remained opposed to same-sex marriage and infanticide, as does the Roman Church.  But I didn’t know the man.

Perhaps the only person in Idaho who met Francis was Bishop Peter Christensen.  I’m not sure of the Bishop’s impressions, but I can imagine he was loyal and obedient.

I was already at work Monday morning when news of the death of Pope Francis broke.  I started texting friends with the news.  Protestant friends had a mild and polite response.  My Catholic friends had much the same, but I know many of them weren’t happy with the direction Francis attempted to take his flock.

When I read the headlines that say Catholics are in mourning, it’s more of an obligation than a true emotion.  At least from the feedback I’ve received.

His passing wasn’t entirely unexpected.  He was an old man who had experienced suffering.  From a Christian perspective, and I’ll simplify this, if you believe he followed and accepted the Lord (and I’ll take his vocation as evidence), then he isn’t dead.

I can’t say how liberal Catholics feel about the Pope’s passing.  Because I don’t know many liberals, and those that I do know generally aren’t people of faith.

What reaction I do get from Catholic friends is curiosity.  What comes next?  Because many believed their church was going down the wrong road.  In many respects, this is now a time of hope.  That a new leader will right the ship.  Still, we pray for the soul of a man who believed he was doing the right thing.

All I can say is that when I pray, I always ask the Lord to guide me, and if need be, drag me in the right direction.

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