The death of Pope Francis is deeply significant to us—not only because he was a Jesuit, but because he embodied the compassion, justice, and humility that lie at the heart of who we are at Jesuit Social Services, writes ANDY HAMILTON SJ.
The death of Pope Francis is important for us at Jesuit Social Services because he was a Jesuit who became head of the Catholic Church from which we descend. His death, however, is more significant, more personal to us, because in his life he displayed spectacularly the qualities that are in our DNA. He took ‘welcoming, discerning, and courageous’ to a new level, and embodied these words in striking actions.
His first mission was to a remote island to grieve for refugees who had died at sea and to welcome the survivors. He called on priests and Church officials to smell like the sheep of their flock and to reach out to people on the edge of the Church and society. He dedicated a day each year to visit a juvenile justice centre and to wash the feet of the young women and men there. He wrote a powerful document stressing the urgent need to meet the threat of global warming and went to the United States and the United Nations to advocate for it. He braved abuse and criticism for criticising governments for making war and demanding that they make peace.
As we do at Jesuit Social Services Pope Francis asked constantly what matters. He answered it by pointing out who matters. They were above all the neglected persons on the edge of society. And he went out to welcome them and to plead their cause. He did so with the joy and hope that came out of a deep faith.
At Jesuit Social Services we celebrate his life and grieve his death.
He was one of us.
