Pope Francis continued his reflections on how the Resurrection shapes our lives and human history. In one of his last morning mass celebrations, Pope Francis then told a story: “A humble man works in the curia of Buenos Aires. He has worked there for 30 years, he is the father of eight children. Before he goes out, before going out to do the things that he must do, he always says, ‘Jesus!’. And I once asked him, ‘Why do you always say’ Jesus ‘?’. ‘When I say’ Jesus ‘- this humble man told me – I feel strong, I feel I can work, and I know that He is with me, that He keeps me safe’”.
Pope Francis continued: “This man never studied theology, he only has the grace of Baptism and the power of the Spirit. And this testimony, did me a lot of good too, because it reminds us that in this world that offers us so many saviors, it is only the name of Jesus that saves”.
POPE FRANCIS ON CASES OF SEXUAL ABUSE BY CLERGY
On a different note, the Vatican reported that the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith met with Pope Francis Friday morning and was told to continue along the lines set by Benedict XVI and act decisively with regard to cases of sexual abuse.
The communiqué says that Francis and Archbishop Gerhard Ludwig Müller discussed various issues pertaining to the doctrinal congregation.
“In particular,” the statement added, “the Holy Father recommended that the Congregation, continuing along the lines set by Benedict XVI, act decisively with regard to cases of sexual abuse, first of all by promoting measures for the protection of minors, as well as in offering assistance to those who have suffered abuse, carrying out due proceedings against the guilty, and in the commitment of bishops’ conferences to formulate and implement the necessary directives in this area that is so important for the Church’s witness and credibility.”
The communiqué also noted that Francis assured “that victims of abuse are present in a particular way in his prayers for those who are suffering.”
Among other initiatives, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith asked episcopal conferences to submit by June 2012 guidelines for preventing sexual abuse and dealing with cases. Earlier this year, more than 75% of bishops’ conferences worldwide had complied. The majority of those conferences still working on the guidelines are in Africa.