Campus Carrier Editorial Board

Last Thursday in an interview, Pope Francis shocked many by criticizing the church for having such a narrow focus and being completely fixated on the controversial topics of abortion, gay marriage and contraception. These are big issues, but the question is this: Are they the biggest ones? Since these issues have been seen as a hot topic to most. He had ignored questions about these subjects for six months, but then decided to say what he really felt. Pope Francis criticized the church for putting dogma before love. So here’s to the Pope for making the church a home for all, and making everyone feel welcome and accepted.

The last pope, Benedict XVI, had a different opinion on this issue. He envisioned a smaller and purer church. Pope Francis wants all Christians to feel at home. Jude 23 reads, “Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.” This verse is popularly paraphrased as “hate the sin, but love the sinner.” That’s the kind of culture that Pope Francis is trying to create. He is creating a culture where people can disagree with issues but not hate the person. This is the kind of culture we should live in. This creates a better example for all churches to be Christ-like. Even though the pope is only affiliated with Catholicism, Pope Francis has set a precedent for all religious affiliations.

The pope is not changing church doctrine, but his desire for the church to be a home for all is setting a new tone for Christianity. And this new tone is a better one. He has depolarized the church. Many liberal Christians have felt unwelcomed, but Pope Francis made sure to change this. Church should be a home for all, and now it is more so.