Why is Pope Francis Sometimes Misunderstood? Nigerian Catholic Theologian Explains

Those who find it difficult to understand Pope Francis, Fr. Stan says, “hold onto a theology without aesthetics.”

What such people have, the Catholic Priest says, is “a theology that does not have life in it” and a mere “collection of statements, sanctions, and condemnations.”

Pope Francis, U.S.-based member of the Clergy of Nigeria’s Awgu Diocese says, “brings theology to life.”

According to the Nigerian Catholic Priest who also serves as the producer and host of African Catholic Voices, a podcast service of the Pan African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network (PACTPAN), Pope Francis has introduced a paradigm shift in the Church. 

The Holy Father has, however, not altered any teachings of the Church, especially pertaining to issues considered controversial, the Priest, who serves as the Principal Convener of the Pan-African Catholic Congress on Theology, Society, and Pastoral Life says.

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“Pope Francis has changed the tone of messaging and leadership at the Vatican. He hasn't altered any teachings of the church regarding some of the topics that have been seen as controversial, including family, sexuality, gender theories, and celibacy; but rather, he has introduced a new ecclesial climate that is more open, inclusive, and one that orients itself as a humble, poor and merciful Church that listens,” Fr. Stan says.

He adds, “We now have a Church that is listening more and more to the voices from the peripheries of people who feel abandoned and regarded as sinners. We have a Church where those who are divorced and separated are welcome to find healing under a tent of comfort.”

To the Catholic Theologian who has called upon Church leaders in Africa to embrace Pope Francis’ inclusivity style to stop people from leaving the Church “in droves”, the Holy Father does not shy away from criticism, and is open to it, even within the ranks of the Cardinals. 

His personality of being open to criticism, Fr. Stan says, is something that was never heard of before. “People would be excommunicated for criticizing Church leaders,” he says. 

The Nigerian Catholic Priest asserts that Pope Francis’ style of leadership has been a question about packaging messages in a way that attracts people to Jesus. 

Pope Francis’ leadership in the past 10 years, he says, has been an invitation to the people of God to focus their gaze on the face of Jesus. 

“Pope Francis asks us who do you see in the person begging on the streets? Whose face do you see in the slum that is buried in the garbage? Who do you see in the rampant environmental degradation, the rising sea levels, and the catastrophic climatic conditions? Who do you see in earthquakes in Syria?” Fr. Stan says.

Meanwhile, Fr. Stan has shared the contribution of Pope Francis to the Church, saying that the Holy Father is “a clear pathway to realizing the dreams of the Second Vatican Council.”

“Previous Popes wanted to realize the Second Vatican Council; they had the spirit and the intent, but they were very cautious, making sure that they do not do too much,” he says.

“It had to be ‘the Church in Africa’ rather than ‘the African Church’ and ‘the Church in America’ rather than ‘the American Church’, that we have to be careful, lest we fall into creating tribal Catholicism,” Fr. Stan warned during the March 8 interview with ACI Africa.

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Agnes Aineah is a Kenyan journalist with a background in digital and newspaper reporting. She holds a Master of Arts in Digital Journalism from the Aga Khan University, Graduate School of Media and Communications and a Bachelor's Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communications from Kenya's Moi University. Agnes currently serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.