The Devil Wears Prada
Google "Pope" and "Prada" and you'll come up with hundreds of news items about the Pope's good fashion sense. Papa Ratzi (a.k.a Benedict XVI) has made headlines around the world for his red Prada loafers, and for his shortening of the papal hemline to show off the now-famous shoes. He also has a penchant for designer sunglasses, which some commentators think gives him more appeal with younger Catholics. In Italy, Papa caused an uproar when it looked like he might fire the tailor Gammarelli who has made Papal garments for decades, and replace him with a young, hip image consultant.
At the same time that he's been making headlines for his wardrobe, Papa Ratzi has tightened the screws on anyone he thinks is beyond the pale theologically. Gay priests, as everyone knows by now, are in the closet or out the door. But, last week, Papa also quietly removed the autonomy granted the Franciscans by Pope Paul VI. This order of monks, founded by Francis of of Assisi, has become too liberal for the Vatican's tastes, and too willing to dialog with those of other faiths. So, the Franciscan monks will no longer be allowed to make decisions on their own. They now have to ask Rome's permission before doing such things as participating in peace marches or hosting interfaith services, and permission will likely not be granted. I assume ministering to the poor is still okay, although any questioning of oppressive Church hierarchies is definitely verboten.
All of this reminds me of a conversation I had with a Franciscan friend when he returned from a year-long sabbatical in Italy. My friend had been horrified by his visit to Rome and the Vatican. He couldn't stop talking about all the gold and finery that surrounded the Pope. In disbelief, he kept saying, "This is the man who sits on the throne of Christ!" And he added, "Think of all the people that money could feed."
Francis of Assisi, himself, was a wealthy young man who gave up everything he owned and took for his order's robes the same rough garments worn by the poorest people of his day. He also insisted that the rule of his order (the book that sets forth how they must live) should be taken directly from the Gospels. Following Christ's example, the heart of Francis' mission was caring for all people, especially the poor and outcast. His goal was to be as much like the Christ he served as he possibly could be.
Papa Ratzi, on the other hand, seems to be taking his behavioral cues from Chick Lit. Unfortunately, he apparently hasn't realized that the hero of Laura Weisberger's novel is not the character who wears Prada. And the Prada-wearer in question is not someone a Pope should be emulating.
At the same time that he's been making headlines for his wardrobe, Papa Ratzi has tightened the screws on anyone he thinks is beyond the pale theologically. Gay priests, as everyone knows by now, are in the closet or out the door. But, last week, Papa also quietly removed the autonomy granted the Franciscans by Pope Paul VI. This order of monks, founded by Francis of of Assisi, has become too liberal for the Vatican's tastes, and too willing to dialog with those of other faiths. So, the Franciscan monks will no longer be allowed to make decisions on their own. They now have to ask Rome's permission before doing such things as participating in peace marches or hosting interfaith services, and permission will likely not be granted. I assume ministering to the poor is still okay, although any questioning of oppressive Church hierarchies is definitely verboten.
All of this reminds me of a conversation I had with a Franciscan friend when he returned from a year-long sabbatical in Italy. My friend had been horrified by his visit to Rome and the Vatican. He couldn't stop talking about all the gold and finery that surrounded the Pope. In disbelief, he kept saying, "This is the man who sits on the throne of Christ!" And he added, "Think of all the people that money could feed."
Francis of Assisi, himself, was a wealthy young man who gave up everything he owned and took for his order's robes the same rough garments worn by the poorest people of his day. He also insisted that the rule of his order (the book that sets forth how they must live) should be taken directly from the Gospels. Following Christ's example, the heart of Francis' mission was caring for all people, especially the poor and outcast. His goal was to be as much like the Christ he served as he possibly could be.
Papa Ratzi, on the other hand, seems to be taking his behavioral cues from Chick Lit. Unfortunately, he apparently hasn't realized that the hero of Laura Weisberger's novel is not the character who wears Prada. And the Prada-wearer in question is not someone a Pope should be emulating.