11.05.2025 - Fr Andy Writes

HOLY FATHER – HOLY JOE

There was something about Francis that made him extraordinary ordinary: The comment he made on a plane back to Rome, when asked about gay priests, saying “If two priests love each other, who am I to judge?” And when a woman wrote to him complaining that she cannot find a priest who would baptise her child, because she was an unmarried mother. He telephoned her and said, “Try a few priests in the neighbouring parishes and if you don’t get anywhere, I’ll baptise your baby.” What a wonderful response, a very down to earth practical suggestion to help this poor woman worried about the faith of her child.

However, there are those others who have taken a very different view on such actions of Pope Francis. Steve Bannon, a former associate of president Trump remarked, when Francis said, “Who am I to judge?” “You dude, you’re the Pope. That’s the kind of gig. You’re supposed to be judgemental. This “empathy” is all phony. He brought the therapeutic 20th century into the church. The church is not supposed to be therapeutic.” As for Francis welcoming migrants and being compassionate to all who seek refuge from dangerous countries, Bannon said of Francis, “He’ll burn in hell just for that.”

It is true that Francis did not change any Church teachings or doctrines, his pastoral approach to people in problematic situations and relationships brought about real changes of attitude and compassion that would ultimately make a difference. It seems to me, that under Pope Francis, the Catholic Church suddenly came to seem more accessible, more welcoming, more universal. It might not seem much to some, that he changed the tone perhaps more than doctrine, but for many, that was everything.

I believe that it was Francis’s personal presence that contributed to these deep fundamental changes in the whole feel of the Church. I was very touched with the recent visits of my friend Joe Long. I have often talked about Joe and his late wife Liz in past homilies. When Joe came to spend the weekend with me, it was just pure joy having him around. There was nothing that he said or done, but somehow by just being there made all the difference. When I asked my friend Shaun to join us for a drink, he too commented afterwards, “ I really  felt at peace in Joe’s presence. His warmth and openness somehow made you relaxed and so comfortable, giving you a sense that all will be well.” I know exactly what Shaun meant and felt the same myself. Perhaps too Joe felt the same as he told me that he did not want to go back to Teesside, but had to do a few things there regarding selling his house.

So, what is at the heart of this inner presence that seems to rise up from deep within us? Well, I believe it is what we have been talking about the last few homilies, which are tied up with the resurrection of Jesus. To believe in the resurrection of Jesus, is to believe in our own resurrection and the new life that springs up from deep within us, and we begin to live in a new way, that is in a new presence. The first words that Jesus spoke to his disciples after his resurrection were, “Peace be with you” and showed them his hands and his side, the wounds of the cross that were thrust upon him. Jesus, somehow, transformed the pain of the cross into a peaceful presence that he was able to share with his friends. Perhaps too with Joe: the pain of losing Liz, a beautiful friendship is now transformed into a peaceful presence that he now shares with his friends. Wow, what a gift! And it is a gift. Jesus said to his disciples at the last supper, “Peace I leave with you, my own peace I give you, a peace that the world cannot give; this is my gift to you.” (John).

Francis made a huge impact on the world when he introduced us to “Laudato Si”, his exhortation on the climate crisis and the threat to the biodiversity of species. It is quite document that brings home the problems we face to our common home we call earth.

I am amazed that my friend Joe has a similar love of ecology, especially when it comes to seeing the richness of life forms that bring life and joy to the earth. Joe tells me that God must love beetles, no, I don’t mean the Beatles from Liverpool, though I’m sure God loves them as much as I do. But, Joe goes on to say that God created over 400,000 of them. And not only that, Joe says that there is so much we can learn as a human species from the wildlife that surrounds us, that canteach us about acceptance, racism, discrimination and the prejudiced judgements that we make in life. For example, Joe informs me, that there are transgender clownfish, gay penguins and non binary fungi. There are female hyenas with pseudo-penises, lesbian seagulls and intersex slugs. Such is the wonderful world of queer ecology. There is more to this than people realise. The staggering array of gender and sexual diversity in the more-than-human world is a good starting point for queer ecology, but it goes much deeper than this.

Joe goes on to point out that homosexuality in the animal world has long been dismissed, erased or, portrayed as a curious aberration rather than a valid part of a species’ behaviour, culture, and reproductive strategy. Scientist agree that same-sex partnerships often play an important role in raising the next generation – in some cases more successfully than heterosexual pairings – and sexual liaisons can strengthen bonds between non-parental allies that support both parents and offspring. It is assumed that everyone is naturally heterosexual, and that this is “normal” and superior to homosexuality or bisexuality, which, by implication, must be unnatural and abnormal. It also assumes a gender binary and that sexual/romantic relations should only be between these two genders – often with patriarchal undertones. Such prejudice is often unconscious. Perhaps soon the Church may begin to recognise such diversity and accept and even welcome all people, all creatures no matter their gender and their sexual orientation!

I love the story of a monk called Hoshin, who lived in a monastery and taught younger monks the ways of Zen. One morning as we walked along the edge of a small pool, he noticed a scorpion struggling in the water, desperately trying to climb out but slipping back each time. Without hesitation, Hoshin reached into the water to lift the scorpion out. As he did so, the scorpion stung him and he withdrew his hand quickly, but did not react in anger or frustration and proceeded to suck the poison out of his hand. Hoshin did this a couple of times before rescuing the scorpion. A young monk observing what had been happening, said, “Master, why do you keep attempting to save the scorpion, when it stings you every time?” Hoshin looked directly into the eyes of the young monk and said, “Because just as it is in the nature of the scorpion to sting, it is in my nature to save”. Compassion and acceptance are fundamental aspects of our humanity. We should never be afraid of reaching out to others who are suffering, even when it threatens our very selves. It is in our true nature to be accepting and compassionate!

May Pope Francis and Joe’s beloved Liz rest in the peace of Christ. Bless you all, love, Andy.