A New Pope and Social Media

Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

It has been fascinating to watch the news unfold this afternoon as a new pope, Francis I, a Jesuit from Argentina, named Jorge Bergoglio, was elected to lead the Catholic church.  I am not a Catholic, nor do I agree with the patriarchal structure of the Catholic Church, but I am hopeful.  This man seems to be humble and committed to social justice.  Apparently he is also pretty conservative, but the fact that he a Jesuit (never happened before) and the first modern day pope not from Europe, and didn't take a previous name, instead picked a brand new one,  gives me hope that maybe, just maybe, change is afoot.

What is even more fascinating is how the social media world exploded with this news.  It started with posts of "white smoke..."  then evolved into anxious waiting about when he would emerge onto the balcony, and when it was announced that he was from Argentina and a Jesuit and was taking the name Francis I, all sorts of exclamations about how this was hopeful.  Then once it was discovered that he was conservative, some disappointment, but it has all been followed by prayers.  I enjoy this sort of digital presence.  My friends all over the world (Catholic and non), and I am definitely doing the same, are excitedly retweeting and devouring all sorts of news.

Eight years ago, when the last pope was elected, there was no twitter, Facebook was still in its infancy, and our news still came from broadcast media sources.  But the new pope is already tweeting. In Spanish.

Today

Protestors surround the altar
(Credit Sara Ann Swenson 5/3/12)

Almost three years ago, in August 2009, I was glued to a live stream of the ELCA Churchwide Assembly for the better part of a week.  The church was voting on whether or not to accept the Human Sexuality study, which, among other things, would provide the opportunity for GLBTQ persons to be ordained and be in same gender relationships.  This is something that I feel very strongly about, as an issue of justice, of the Gospel, of being a part of the Body of Christ.  I watched and prayed and waited for Love to prevail.  After extended prayer and discussion, the ELCA agreed to acknowledge the full expression of human sexuality with adopting the Human Sexuality statement.

Today, my Methodist brothers and sisters approached the same topic.  However, the debate did not go the same way.  The assembly voted down a proposal that would have changed official language in the UMC Book of Discipline that states, "Homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching."  The proposed change was language that would agree that Christians can hold different views on this subject and still be faithful.

The debate was called to a close when protestors surrounded the altar, praying and singing.  At the same time, we at Iliff were praying and singing in a vigil of our own.  My heart is broken for my GLBTQ Methodist friends.

We can only pray.