CANBERRA (AUSTRALIA)
Catholic Outlook: News from the Diocese of Parramatta

September 3, 2019

By Bishop Vincent Long Van Nguyen OFM Conv DD STL, Bishop of Parramatta

“Working for the Church in the Time of Perceived Irrelevancy”

PART 2: POPE FRANCIS AND THE WAKE UP MOMENT

The arrival of Pope Francis is a game changer. The image of the newly-elected Pope bowing in silence before the euphoric, then hushed, crowd at St Peter’s Square was truly the prophetic sign of the century!

With that humble gesture, the Pope exemplified a model of ministry which would correspond with the signs of the times, the needs of the people and the creative power of the Spirit. It signalled that the time had come to set aside old wineskins and reach for new.

He is a leader who has unambiguously embraced the call to lead us beyond the safety of the status quo…