The recurring theme of Bergoglio’s papacy, mercy,
has not just sparked hope among the laity, but also within the Church,
of this subject being given a greater focus. The list is long: from remarried divorcees – one of the Pope’s sisters falls into this category – to gays (who are eagerly waiting for the civil unions which Bergoglio declared himself in favour of in Buenos Aires), from theologians who were “reproached” to “rebel” priests, to the women religious of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) whom the Vatican placed under the administration of an external commissioner last year.
The organisation was accused of devoting too much time to social justice and assistance to the poor (particularly women and children), to the detriment of the promotion of a pro-life culture, intended as a fight against abortion and euthanasia. According to the LCWR, this was too limiting. Pope Francis’ arrival, which promises a “poor Church for the poor”, gives us reason to hope for a downscaling of the disciplinary clash.
What really could make the difference is Pope Francis’ Jesuit background.
Two women religious believe that the fact Bergoglio comes from a religious order is important.
Sister Nancy Sylvester of the Sisters of the Immaculate heart of Mary in Monroe, Michigan, feels encouraged by the emphasis Bergoglio has placed on the poor: "I am really trying to be hopeful," she said, adding that were signs in Francis' public comments as Pope and his track record "that he would be much more sympathetic to women religious."
Sister Simone Campbell who is known for her speech at the last Democratic Convention, said that the world is thirsty for a real spiritual leader and that she hoped the new Pope would be precisely this and not get caught up in internal politics. Referring explicitly to Italian methods, she added that the LCWR issue is all to do with internal politics and nothing to do with faith.
Some members of the U.S. Bishops’ Conference, especially its president, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, are also of the same opinion. In an interview with Associated Press, Dolan admitted that he hoped Pope Francis would introduce a fresh approach to the LCWR debate, although it is too soon to say what this approach will be. He recalled that Bergoglio was provincial leader of the Company of Jesus in Argentina and stressed the fundamental significance of his message: “Fear not. We are friends and travel companions, we can speak to each other openly. We both have things to learn, changes we wish to make and we are certain that each of us will do his best, in mutual honesty.”
"He is a religious who governed a province through a lot of these difficulties," Chicago’s Cardinal George (who has just submitted his resignation having reached the age limit of 75) declared. He also added: "It's one thing to be for the poor, it's another thing to be for the poor in a way that compromises the teaching of the church.”
The LCWR website didn’t seem too biased although as early as 13 March, the nuns expressed their joy at Francis’ election, offering their heartfelt prayers to him “as he assumes the papacy at this critical time for the Catholic Church.”
“Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio demonstrated great dedication to the mission of the Church during his leadership in Argentina. As he serves in the papacy, we trust that his many gifts will continue to be spent on behalf of the universal church, and most especially for people who live in poverty in all parts of the world. As a conference of leaders of orders of Catholic sisters in the United States, we welcome Pope Francis’s spiritual leadership and look forward to working with him in carrying forward the Gospel message.”
In the meantime, the assessment carried out by the commission led by the Archbishop of Seattle, peter Sartain, is still under way. In a press conference held the day after the Pope’s election, he stated he had no reason to believe that his role of overseeing the LCWR would change with the arrival of the new Pope.
James Martin of Jesuit magazine America, an open supporter of the LCWR (which represents 80% of women religious in the U.S.), said “Jesuits have traditionally worked closely with sisters and even helped found their religious orders.”
"Since the pope's first homily focused specifically on 'tenderness,' we may see that his application of church rules will be a little more gentle," Martin concluded.
Significantly, last Friday, U.S. Benedictine nuns sent an invitation on their website asking people to pray for the active lives of the order’s members who can be found in all walks of life, helping the poor and the marginalised. A political profile they are unjustly criticised for.