Some Ga. Catholics describe what they want to see in next pope
ATLANTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Some Georgia Catholics are voicing their opinions on the tone they’d like the next pope to set. While some are in favor of continuing Pope Francis’ mission, others want to see some changes.
They said they are looking for the next head of the church to be the right person for the current time.
Some want a successor who shares the encouragement Pope Francis had of bringing faith to all, while some said they would like the next pope to be more open and accepting of the older forms of Latin Mass worship.
Parishioners at Georgia Tech Catholic Center said they are trusting that the Holy Spirit guides the Vatican to the next pontiff.
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“That provides exactly the message and encouragement that we need in this moment,” said Father John Klein, the assistant chaplain at Georgia Tech Catholic Center.
Klein said he spent three years in Rome studying theology and met Francis before being ordained as a priest.
“I love his love for the poor,” said Klein.
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Francis was dubbed the “People’s Pope,” who struck a more progressive and inclusive tone during his papacy — which included his advocacy of migrants, speaking up for poor and marginalized communities and his championing of environmental issues.
Klein said he hopes a successor will continue to encourage bringing the Gospel into modern culture.
“But also a man who thinks creatively, isn’t afraid to challenge us to see things differently, to ask new questions and go deeper in our faith,” Klein said.
Amanda Arbuckle, a graduate student at Georgia Tech and a practicing Catholic, said a good pope would “respect the fact that God is unchanging and we need a church that is unchanging.”
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“Especially when it comes to adhering to doctrine and what we believe in,” Arbuckle said.
Arbuckle said she wants the next pope to be open to the traditional Latin Mass form of worship.
Arbuckle said the traditional form has taken a sidestep to some of the newer forms of worship, as Pope Francis embraced the world’s complexities in his lessons.
“At the same time, some of that came at a cost of older, very beautiful traditions, that I would love to see be accepted, and gain greater acceptance,” said Arbuckle.
Georgia Tech Catholic Center will have a memorial Mass during their 5:30 p.m. service on Tuesday. All Catholics are invited to pray and honor the life and legacy of Pope Francis.
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