03/14/2014, 00.00
INDIA
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Simplicity, down-to-earth homilies, and dialogue define Pope Francis to the Church in India and the world

by Nirmala Carvalho
An Indian Jesuit, Fr Errol Fernandes, looks back at the first year of his pontificate. The Holy Father "has caught the imagination of people all over the world no matter what faith they might profess" because he has great respect for them and "is willing to learn from anyone and any situation."

Mumbai (AsiaNews) - "While his simplicity has made a great impact on the lives of the clergy, it is also other aspects like his down-to-earth homilies, his pastoral approach to all situations and his reaching out to all that have touched the lives of the clergy," as well as young people, people of other religions and atheists, this according to Errol Fernandes SJ, who spoke to AsiaNews about Francis and his impact on many aspects of life in India and the universal Church.

The Holy Father is presently in retreat to celebrate his first year of his pontificate. Fr Errol is parish priest at St Peter's Church in the Mumbai suburb of Bandra. He is also the dean of the prestigious St Xavier's College, as well as professor at the archdiocese's seminary. An interview with Fr Errol follows.

As a parish priest, what has been Francis' impact on people?

Parishioners as a whole are more aware of what the Pope is saying and are also eager to know what he will say next.

Someone said tongue in cheek that one of the things that even God does not know is what a Jesuit is going to do next. With Pope Francis, however, people know that whatever it is, it will be positive and enhancing.

It is also true that he has endeared himself to the common person because of his simplicity, his forthrightness and his holiness.

How have attitudes of people of different faiths and emerging generations towards the Pope changed?

Pope Francis has caught the imagination of people all over the world no matter what faith they might profess. As a matter of fact, he has even caught the imagination of those who claim not to believe in God. One of the reasons for this is his openness.

He does not claim to know everything about everything and is willing to learn from anyone and any situation. He has a great respect for all religions and this attitude too has endeared him to many.

With regard to younger people, there is no doubt that many young people follow the Pope on twitter and are eager to read his tweets.

As a seminary professor, has the new pope made a difference to seminarians, and to their perceptions of the mission.

It is not just seminarians. Priests and bishops are also challenged with the way of life of Pope Francis.

I remember Fredrick Lombardi SJ making a statement to the effect that Pope Francis would move to the Vatican after a few days or weeks.

He probably assumed that it would be difficult for the pope to function from the guesthouse where he is presently lodged. However, he did not have count on the depth of Pope Francis and his desire to be poor to follow a poor Christ.

While his simplicity has made a great impact on the lives of the clergy, it is also other aspects like his down-to-earth homilies, his pastoral approach to all situations and his reaching out to all that have touched the lives of the clergy.

Are people more inclined to listen to the Good News and go to confession?

Yes, Pope Francis has made a difference to the lives of people all over the world. He comes across as a man who is unafraid to make mistakes because he is confident of the unconditional love of God. This is a love that he is convinced of, has experienced and proclaims to all.

When people keep listening to this message that they are not condemned but loved, that they are not judged but forgiven and that they are not bad but very good, they respond positively. This response also becomes a response that comes from within.

Finally, as a Jesuit, how has this new pope made a difference, especially in the run-up to the 200th anniversary of the restoration of the Society of Jesus?

Our Superior General, Fr Adolfo Nicolás, and the pope have a lot in common. Both are men who live simple lives, both are extremely concerned about the poor and both have had their training in the Society of Jesus. Yet, the Jesuits try to play down the fact that the Pope was and is a Jesuit because now he must be made universally available.

There is no doubt that Jesuits all over the world feel 'proud' in the healthy sense of the world, not so much because the pope is a Jesuit, but because he is making such a difference and because he is doing so much good. This is what Saint Ignatius expected of all Jesuits. While each of us tries to do it in our own small way, it is magnified in the person of Pope Francis.

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