According to Father Thomas Reese, S.J.

FRANCIS NEEDS AT LEAST 10 YEARS TO HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE CHURCH!

I read three of the plethora of articles written about the first year of Pope Francis’s pontificate.  One of those reviews is by the Jesuit Priest Father Thomas Reese.  He concludes that it will take Pope Francis 10 years to create substantive change in the Church.  I believe he is right on target with that prediction, so like they sing in the Orthodox Church…….God Grant Him Many Years! 

The link to Father Reese’s entry in the National Catholic Reporter is here                                                

Father Tom Reese makes this claim for several reasons.  He states:

…in order to reform an institution, you need to change the culture, appoint people who support the reform to key positions, and change structures, policies and procedures

What must be done to affect change from Father Tom’s perspective?

1.      Change the culture….(as it refers to the Vatican, in particular)

2.      Appoint reform people to key positions

3.      Change structures

4.      Change policies and procedures

Yes, at least 10 years I’d say…but, Father Tom Reese adds further to why it will take 10 years, and that has to do with how long it will take to change over the old guard of who is voting for the next pope.  He says:

Francis needs at least 10 years to have a significant impact on the church. This would allow him to appoint like-minded men to the College of Cardinals and to dioceses all over the world. If he only lasts five years, then any cardinal under 75 will be at the next conclave; any bishop under 70 will still be in office at the next papal transition

10 years will allow for a change in the College of Cardinals and the dioceses around the world.  Basically, there needs to be new blood running through the veins of the Church to allow for permanent change.

One can read from many articles available that Pope Francis has made a tremendous impact on the Church. He has led the way by example and words to renewing the integrity of the Church, restoring the mission of Christ, and presenting  to the Church and to the world, once again, the Person of Jesus Christ. Yes, there are areas where he needs building himself, and that is in the area of responsibility for the clerical abuse of children and the role of women, but, overall, I think, we can hold firm that we truly have a True Disciple of Christ and a Holy (Wholly) Man at the helm of the R.C. Church.

Hold fast though, to the words of Father Thomas Reese, S.J…..

FRANCIS NEEDS AT LEAST 10 YEARS TO HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE CHURCH!

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