“He will reintroduce the value of humanity!” he says. Whether it’s barons of industry putting profits over people, or everyday people putting their own pleasure above the value of their children, their families, or their communities, the new pope promises to bring a new view, a better view of humanity to the Church, and as a world leader to the world, sayid Catholic Sun columnist and inspirational author Chris Benguhe of Arizona.
“Two weeks ago, I spoke openly about how the new pope would be from Latin America,” says Benguhe, “because it was a part of the world where the Catholic Church fully understood that it’s most powerful mission on earth was to promote love and respect for humanity. The Church’s work with social justice, while also successfully convincing parishioners to live respectful and temperate lives in Latin America is probably why the Church down there is growing by leaps and bounds. And this Pope will undoubtedly bring a renaissance of human respect to the Church and to the world.”
Benguhe spoke to criticisms of the Catholic Church, as well as governments that have abandoned the need for personal morality and replaced it with an over reliance on law.
“The world over the course of the last several decades has become a place where people are encouraged increasingly to rely on and listen to the letter of the law above all else,” said Benguhe. “This leads to an abdication of morality and human responsibility. People began to feel that as long as they are obeying the law, it doesn’t matter who they hurt. This is not the way of Christ, and should not be the way of a moral and enlightened society.”
Benguhe expressed confidence in Pope Francis and his Jesuit tradition of the spiritual exercises of Saint Ignatius Loyola - the founder of the Jesuits. He explained taht the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola are Christian meditations, prayers and exercises to help individuals understand how to see Jesus in their own life. Even many non-Catholics have benefited from the exercises.
“Pope Francis has shown himself to be a humble servant of God and mankind,” said Benguhe. “In his new position as shepherd of the Church and leader of a nation, I believe he will use his influence not just to lead the church to a renewed spirit of humanity but to change the world for the better as well.”
Benguhe is a former PEOPLE Magazine reporter who is now a columnist for diocesan newspaper of Phoenix AZ, the Catholic Sun. He is author of Overcoming Life's 7 Common Tragedies and more. See. OneMoreDayAlive.com.
