Pope Francis spoke during an audience with 340 faculty and students of the Institute for the Promotion of Young Journalists (IFP), a Catholic journalism school located in Munich, Germany. The audience took place for the Institute’s 50th anniversary.
Christian journalists are distinguished by “your positive attitude towards the person and your professional ethics,” the Pope stated. “You do not just do a job, but fulfill an assignment and a commitment.”
“We ask for parresia,” the Pope said, referencing a Greek rhetorical term which means to speak boldly and candidly, adding: “We ask for the frankness that comes from the Holy Spirit and that helps us to trust in the truth of Christ that makes us free.”
He urged Christian journalists to go beyond the “wall of sadness and resignation” to help people open their eyes and ears, and to open their hearts to others; recognizing that they have a responsibility toward others, who are daughters and sons of the same Father.
Certainly, the words of Pope Francis are welcome and challenging.
But they would have greater import if Pope Francis demanded “parresia” of himself and spoke frankly to the Catholic faithful about his knowledge and or involvement or lack of it with many of the homosexual abuse of young males by Catholic Clergy scandals that are daily inflicting bitter wounds upon the Body of Christ.
It is certainly very curious how the Pope calls upon others to give witness to virtues which he himself does not seem to be eager or capable of providing positive example himself.
I agree with His Holiness. Frankness and a bold commitment to the truth is the antidote to the secrecy and duplicity which has been the cause of so much suffering.
But that virtue must be practiced not only by journalists, but by the Vicar of Christ himself, who indeed needs to be the first to do so and provide a shining example for all.
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