Scottish Catholic Observer

“We cannot insist only on issues related to abortion, gay marriage and the use of contraceptive methods,” the Pope said, noting that he had been ‘reprimanded’ for failing to speak often about those topics. “It is not necessary to talk about these issues all the time.”

The Holy father’s remarks appeared in a wide-ranging interview with Jesuit Fr 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 simultaneously in 12 Jesuit publications around the world. Pope Francis personally reviewed the article and approved its publication.

“The dogmatic and moral teachings 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.

“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 confessional is not a torture chamber, but the place in which the Lord’s mercy motivates us to do better.”

Pope Francis also said in the interview that he wished to shake up the Church’s approach to governance.

“Many think that changes and reforms can take place in a short time,” the Pope said. “I believe that we always need time to lay the foundations for real, effective change. And this is the time of discernment. Sometimes discernment instead urges us to do precisely what you had at first thought you would do later. And that is what happened to me in recent months,” he added, though without specifying the action in question.”

He described the evolution of his governing style, starting with his appointment at age 36 as superior of the Argentine province of the Jesuits.

“My authoritarian and quick manner of making decisions led me to have serious problems and to be accused of being ultraconservative,” he said, adding, “I have never been a right-winger. It was my authoritarian way of making decisions that created problems.”

Later, as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, he adopted another approach, meeting often with his auxiliary bishops.

“I believe that consultation is very important,” the Pope said, noting his establishment as Pope of the so-called Group of Eight advisory panel of cardinals. “I want to see that this is a real, not ceremonial consultation.”

As a result of these experiences, the Holy Father said he intended to devolve more authority to local churches and away from the Vatican. Some Vatican offices ‘run the risk of becoming institutions of censorship,’ he said.

“It is amazing to see the denunciations for lack of orthodoxy that come to Rome. I think the cases should be investigated by the local bishops’ conferences, which can get valuable assistance from Rome. These cases, in fact, are much better dealt with locally,” he added.

“The Roman congregations are mediators; they are not middlemen or managers.”

Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston said the Pope’s interview showed how all Catholics must face up to the challenges of their Faith.

“Pope Francis is calling on us to embrace the vision of reality that is the Church’s Faith and that values each and every human being, and stresses our responsibility to love and serve each other, especially the most vulnerable in our midst,” he said.

“The word that Pope Francis repeats over and over is tenerezza (tenderness.)

“On the Feast of St Joseph, in his inaugural Mass he speaks to us about protecting people, showing loving concern for each and every person, especially children, the elderly, those in need, who are often the last we think about.”

— Read the full interview at http://www.americamagazine.org/pope-interview.