Two Addendums: Missions of Healing

First, on CNN today, there was a clarification about the feet-washing ceremony, which takes place today. Normally, the Pope washes the feet of priests. So, this jailhouse set-up is yet another way that Pope Francis is doing things differently. He is signaling his desire to reach out to people who are considered wrongdoers and give them some honor. This is a healing kind of action.

Second, the individual with whom I argued yesterday, explained that past traumas from the Catholic Church's intolerance of gay people made it impossible to view a photograph of Christians who expressed support for gay marriage and believe in its sincerity. Instead it evoked the ugly picture of Jews being co-opted by Nazis. And that was the basis for the comments and the argument that followed. While accepting this person's feelings and agreeing not to take the remarks in a personal way—because this individual knows that I am sincere about my convictions—I did try to offer some food for thought. 

I discussed the concept of having allies in enemy camps. I also said that the inability of most people to accept that there are areas of agreement between individuals in such opposing camps is the basis for gridlock and war. And, I hope that Pope Francis will be able to open up the dialogue. Dealing with all kinds of traumatized people who have experienced persecution by the Church—such as Jews, Muslims, sexually abused children, abused women, women who have underwent abortions and have PTSD from them, and gays—is going to be a very hard task. It's not so easy to undo damage caused over centuries of Inquisition-like behaviors. All I can do is pray and hope that Pope Francis will make some headway and begin a process of healing. This was a mission that St. Francis was given also.