Socialist or not, Pope is on the side of the poor

You say “the question people around the world are asking is... ‘is the Pope a socialist’?”

I’m not asking this question. You say it is a “simple question”. It’s not. Why must we label people? Why do we need to know “what side he is on” before praising him? It sounds as if he is in a war. Maybe he is.

Perhaps he sees himself on God’s side, as revealed in the life and teaching of Jesus in the gospels. I’m sure he is “on the side of” justice. He has shown that he is “on the side of” the poor. What more needs to be fretted about?

To be called a ‘liberal’ can be a compliment. It doesn’t always mean doctrinally unsound. Your definition of liberation theology sounded good to me. I don’t think we need to lose sleep from concern that he could be a “dangerous radical” — as if the two words always go together — nor that he might be harbouring “secret socialist thoughts”. His thoughts and life seem a reasonably open book to me.

‘What is the Church for?’ you ask. The answer would require a long article. Reducing it to the role of priests being “glorified social workers” or “spiritual guides” is simplistic — anyway, why should they be incompatible? Also, equating the Church with the ordained priesthood is old hat.

Pope Francis challenges the world to think about the true meaning of Christian religion. I welcome that, irrespective of what label he gets stuck with.

Rosemary Dickson

Mawmore

Enniskeane

Co Cork