To the Editor:

Following Pope Francis Bishop of Rome’s first visit to the United States, I share the excitement of millions of Americans who  have longed for another spirit-filled human being  to motivate us to open our minds and hearts to what is really important in the world.

Francis appears to be one who can help America and the world around us to realize that a full life is not limited to what we have been subject to on the evening news, namely, violence, greed and the absurd spectacle being portrayed as “the Road to the White House.”  No matter the party debating, God’s love will “trump” in the end.

Whatever one’s  religious persuasion, all should perceive in this holy and wholesome person, a being  who is in touch with the real world and who lives the two-fold commandment: loving God and neighbor, including the environment for which each of us has a personal responsibility, in a warm, powerful and sensitive way.

Over the past two years, various churches have sought their parishioners ideas asking: “What would you like to tell Pope Francis, if given the opportunity?”  Allow me to offer two of my long-held  opinions  regarding my church  during my 49 years since ordination.

1.) The Roman Catholic Church needs to open up its doors, once again, in the Sacrament of Holy Orders (beyond Diaconate,) to both married and non-married people . Mandatory  celibacy  is a man-made law that didn’t begin until the 12th century and Pope Francis and the Catholic bishops can change it when they so wish. To stubbornly or ignorantly, adhere to the belief that there is an essential affinity between priesthood and celibacy is to close one’s eyes to the Sacred Scriptures, the tradition of early Christianity and to the sacramental needs of the larger Church . 

2.) You may notice that I referred to “people” above, not “men.” I would tell Francis that the arguments used by the hierarchy of the Catholic Church for Priesthood eligibility, strongly stating:  “Women need not apply!” – are extremely weak and unfounded in the Sacred Scriptures (including the fact that Jesus only chose men as Apostles.) I would encourage all of the bishops to read and discuss Sr. Elizabeth Johnson’s brilliant book, “She Who Is,” as well as a much older text, “The Ordination of Women: Pro and Con,” edited by Michael Hamilton and Nancy Montgomery. The latter text traces the history of the ordination of women in the Episcopal Church. We might learn much from our younger sisters.

There are other ideas that I would happily bring to the table should I ever be invited to dine with Pope Francis. (i.e., on this side of the “Great Divide,” as I truly plan to sup with him and with everyone else, at the Eternal Banquet, with the Lord.)  Please join Francis and the entire Church, in our united quest for  a true and lasting peace.

The Reverend Leo McIlrath, DMin

13 Sugarloaf Road, Sandy Hook               September 28, 2015