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CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO Newspaper of the Archdiocese of San Francisco
www.catholic-sf.org
SEPTEMBER 27, 2013
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Pope: ‘We have to find a new balance’ FRANCIS X. ROCCA CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
VATICAN CITY – In a lengthy and wide-ranging interview with one of his Jesuit confreres, Pope Francis spoke with characteristic frankness about the perils of overemphasizing Catholic teaching on sexual and medical ethics; the reasons for his deliberate and consultative governing style; and his highest priority for the church today. The pope’s remarks appeared in an interview with Jesuit Father Antonio Spadaro, editor of the Italian journal La Civilta Cattolica. The interview, conducted in August, was the basis for a 12,000-word article published Sept. 19 in the U.S. magazine America, and simultaneously in other Jesuit publications in other languages. According to the editor of America, Jesuit Father Matt Malone, Pope Francis personally reviewed the article and approved its publication. “We cannot insist only on issues related to abortion, gay marriage and the use of contraceptive methods,” the pope said in the interview, noting that he had been “reprimanded” for failing to speak often about those top-
Highlights of Pope Francis’ interview with Jesuit Father Antonio Spadaro, editor of the Italian journal La Civilta Cattolica, published simultaneously Sept. 19 in Jesuit journals worldwide: WITHOUT A ‘NEW BALANCE’ on dogmatic and moral teaching, “even the moral edifice of the church is likely to fall like a house of cards.” ‘IT IS NOT NECESSARY’ to talk IS N about issues of sexual morality “all the time.” WHAT THE CHURCH ‘NEEDS MOST
ics. “It is not necessary to talk about these issues all the time.
Moral teachings ‘not equivalent’
“The dogmatic and moral teachings
TODAY’: “The ability to heal wounds and to warm the hearts of the faithful.” THE CONFESSIONAL “is not a torture chamber.” ‘THIS IS THE TIME OF DISCERNMENT’ regarding reforms of church governance. ‘AUTHORITARIAN’ as a young priest, accused of rigidity, the pope is now open to “real, not ceremonial consultation.” A MORE VISIBLE ROLE FOR WOMEN is essential but “I am wary of a solution that can be reduced to a kind of ‘female machismo.’” CONCILIAR LITURGICAL REFORM is “absolutely irreversible.”
of the church are not all equivalent,” the pope added. “The church’s pastoral ministry cannot be obsessed with the transmission of a disjointed multitude of doctrines to be imposed insistently.
“Proclamation in a missionary style focuses on the essentials, on the necessary things,” he said. “We have to find a new balance; otherwise even the moral edifice of the church is likely to fall like a house of cards, losing the freshness and fragrance of the Gospel. “The proposal of the Gospel must be more simple, profound, radiant. It is from this proposition that the moral consequences then flow.” The pope reaffirmed one of his major themes: the need for mercy rather than judgment when approaching sin. “The thing the church needs most today is the ability to heal wounds and to warm the hearts of the faithful. It needs nearness, proximity,” he said.
‘Locked up small things’
“The church sometimes has locked itself up in small things, in small-minded rules. The most important thing is the first proclamation: Jesus Christ has saved you,” the pope said. “The confessional is not a torture chamber,” he said, “but the place in which the Lord’s mercy motivates us to do better. “Those who today always look for SEE POPE, PAGE 18
ABORTION: Pope condemns product of ‘mentality of profit,’ ‘throwaway culture,’ which has enslaved hearts, minds of many REFORM: Cardinal advisers Rome-bound with broad input on reforming bureaucracy
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Mission-driven high school leadership adapts to changing landscape CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO
The high school principal as the sole leader is now another chapter in the evolution of Catholic schools. Maureen Huntington, superintendent of the Department of Catholic Schools in the archdiocese, has seen the dual president/principal model expand to now include 12 of the 14 Catholic high schools here. “It is becoming more difficult with each passing year for one person to
do both jobs,” Huntington said. “As the responsibilities of leadership increase so does the need for others to share the load.”
Archbishop Riordan: Focus on catholicity
Joseph Conti is president of San Francisco’s Archbishop Riordan High School. Vittorio Anastasio is principal. The president/principal model has been at Riordan since 2004, with Conti and Anastasio coming into the posts just this year.
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Conti focuses on advancing the Catholic Marianist identity at Riordan. He also manages school operations, development and long-term planning, and is the liaison to the archdiocese. Anastasio focuses on managing faculty and the student experience at Riordan including academics, athletics, activities and campus life. “The most important part of my SEE HIGH SCHOOLS, PAGE 18
INDEX On the Street . . . . . . . . .4 National . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Opinion. . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Faith. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Calendar. . . . . . . . . . . .22