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Leonardo Boff has published a new book, Francis of Rome, Francis of Assisi, the latest of many he has penned in his lifetime. Born in 1938, his voice has been significant both in Latin America and beyond. A founding figure in Liberation Theology along with Gustavo Gutierrez and others, he was ordained in ’64. Following difficulties in the 80s with Rome , he finally left the Franciscan order and the priesthood in ’92. As with so many thinkers in the 20^th century, his views did not find acceptance in Rome and so he continued his journey, true to his conscience, seeking to follow his Lord. The Church would have been poorer without his contribution.

 His new book looks at two men with the same name, the earlier Francis of Assisi and the present day Francis, the bishop of Rome and he marks up the similarities between both of them.

Already in the short time that he has been Bishop of Rome, a title he prefers before that of Pope, he has made a significant difference. This man spoke from the balcony of St Peter’s on the night of his election saying,

"You know that the duty of the conclave was to give a bishop to Rome . It seems that my brother cardinals went almost to the end of the world to get him. But here we are”.

That degree of informal simplicity, sincere and honestly spoken, set a tone as did his bowed head when he asked the people to pray for him. 

Back home in Argentina , Francis was never at one with Liberation Theology, distrustful of what was perceived as an underlying Marxist philosophy. But since his election there would appear to be a rapprochement with the work of the South American voices, and in fact Gutierrez recently met with Francis.

Leonardo Boff sees in Francis the sign of a new Spring time for the Church and recognises clearly significant patterns in the lives of both men who bear the same name. Francis was called to rebuild the Church of his time, the Francis of our time has a similar task.

The close association with the less advantaged has not just been a matter of fine words but has been evident in the life style he has adopted. His is an example that is focused on the person and life of Jesus rather than on the structure and secular power of the Church as an institution.

This is at the nub of our present position in these early years of the 21^st Century. Do we wish to perpetuate the outdated hierarchical model of the last thousand years with its division clearly established between Clergy and Laity and dependence on the secular principle of grandeur and power, or do we follow the pattern of Jesus and the example of Assisi ? The Francis who is Bishop of Rome is much more pastor than scholar. On so many occasions he has shown the compassion of care for the individual rather than the rigorous application of rules. His casual use of the phone and informality of his response has been a hallmark of his approach. Even the surprises he has pulled such as his telephone discussion with La Repubblica's founder, Eugenio Scalfari which led to their meeting and the publication of their exchange in la Repubblica seem to have become accepted as part of this new model of papacy. He goes out to meet people where they are, the walls are broken down.

The Church model espoused by Pius X in the early years of the 20^th Century is without substance in our present time “Only the college of pastors has the right and authority to direct and govern; the mass of the faithful has no right, except to let themselves be governed as an obedient flock that follows its shepherd”. That road is a cul-de-sac that has been found wanting.

Francis has shown us that trust is at the root of our Christian faith, our trust in Jesus the Nazarene and our trust in each other, offering support on the way.

Leonardo Boff’s book is well worth reading for the questions he puts relate to our Christian life as we are asked to live it in the midst of a turbulent secular world. Two men, one name and both have much to show us.  

Leonardo Boff:     Francis of Rome & Francis of Assisi - Orbis books 2014

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