In case you're not aware of it, Pope Francis’s book: ``The Name of God is Mercy'' has been translated into English and is available in U.S libraries and bookstores. http://goo.gl/aI0efl
It's a light and breezy book; and I thought it a wonderful way to celebrate the Lenten season, especially with the thrust of the book centering on mercy, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
On March 13, 2015, Pope Francis announced an extraordinary ``Holy Year of Mercy’’, which began on December 8th, 2015 (the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception) and extends to November 20, 2016 (the feast of Christ the King).
I took a great deal of comfort with Pope Francis's compassionate words of forgiveness and mercy, during an age when ``mercy'', according to the pontiff ``is waning in the wider culture, and in some cases, dropped out of use.''
In encouraging his call for mercy and forgiveness, Pope Francis is never afraid to point out the stains of the church.
He recalls one incident, when a woman from Argentina whose baby died at a clinic was refused entrance into the church by a priest, because the baby had not yet been baptized.
Pope Francis shares his personal anecdotes and definitions of mercy through a Q & A with Andrea Tornielli (Vatican reporter and correspondent for La Stampa).
His Christian message couldn't be more timely; given we're experiencing a painfully destructive presidential campaign with some candidates recklessly calling immigrants rapists and murders, while others suggest those who can’t afford health insurance are burdens to society.
I only wish all the candidates could take heed of Francis’s message and embrace the outcast, the marginalized, the forgotten and remind voters that the door is open to everyone.
This is, after all, The Holy Year of Mercy.
-Bill Lucey
March 9, 2016
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