Bishop Martin commends late pope for fostering a ‘listening Church’
CHARLOTTE — As news of Pope Francis’ death spread on Monday, churches across western North Carolina opened their doors and clergy shared words of comfort.
Led by their current and former bishops, Catholic churches across western North Carolina united in prayer Monday evening for the Holy Father, in communion with the universal Church.
The 93 churches of the Diocese of Charlotte opened their doors for public prayer at 7 p.m., hosting Holy Hours of Eucharistic Adoration, recitation of the rosary, evening prayer, and other services.
Bishop Michael Martin, OFM Conv., and his predecessor, Bishop Emeritus Peter Jugis, led a Holy Hour of Adoration at St. Patrick Cathedral. It was the first time both Charlotte bishops were together in an official public capacity since this time last year, when news of Pope Francis appointing Bishop Martin was announced. Read more: Two bishops and diocese unite in prayer for Pope Francis
Earlier on Monday, Bishop Martin also announced that the diocese will offer a special Mass for the late pope, to be celebrated at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, at St. Mark Church in Huntersville.
At a press briefing at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in Charlotte, Bishop Martin further addressed the pope’s death and his legacy to the Church and the world.
He said Pope Francis brought his own style to the papacy, one that was influenced by his upbringing in South America and that conveyed “a genuine joy in life.”
He also said the pope played a special role in his life as a priest, and most recently, with his appointment as the Bishop of Charlotte last summer.
“Pope Francis appointed me Bishop of Charlotte and so to say that his life has a particular meaning for me or an inspiration for me would be a bit of an understatement,” he said. “I’m incredibly honored by his selection, and so personally to me he means a great deal.”
He recalled meeting Pope Francis last September while he was in Rome with 300 other newly ordained bishops from around the world. During the 90-minute encounter, he said the Holy Father veered easily from addressing serious issues facing the Church and the world at large to moments of the genuine humor and warmth that endeared him to people around the world.
“I found him incredibly genuine and someone with whom I felt an immediate comfort,” Bishop Martin said.
The bishop said that among the many gifts Pope Francis brought to the faithful during his leadership, his greatest gift was encouraging the universal Church to become more of a “listening Church.”
Pope Francis sought “a Church that listens in a time and in a world where listening is hard to find,” he said.
Bishop Emeritus Jugis, who over his 20-year tenure as Bishop of Charlotte met the pope several times, commended him for calling an Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy in 2016, a forerunner of this year's Jubilee Year of Hope. That year was “a marvelous gift of his pontificate,” Bishop Emeritus Jugis said. “To honor Pope Francis and his memory and give glory to God, let us follow the Holy Father’s encouragement from that Jubilee Year and “embrace God’s mercy and dedicate ourselves to being merciful with others as the Father has been with us.” (“Misericordiae vultus,” 14).
Across the diocese, priests also reflected on the pope's legacy and offered guidance to their parishioners.
During Mass on Monday at St. Peter Church in Charlotte, Jesuit Father Tim Stephens, pastor, reflected on the legacy of the pope. A fellow Jesuit, the pope “will continue to inspire us to serve as merciful shepherds, especially among those who live at the peripheries of society.” (Troy Hull, Catholic News Herald)
Father Tim Stephens, a Jesuit like Pope Francis and the pastor of St. Peter Church in Charlotte, reflected on the pope's legacy during the noon Mass on Monday, standing next to a framed portrait of the pope placed upon an easel in the sanctuary.
He told the Catholic News Herald, "The Jesuits serving in Charlotte and throughout the world mourn not only the passing of our Holy Father, but also a beloved brother. As we pray for him, he will continue to inspire us to serve as merciful shepherds, especially among those who live at the peripheries of society."
Father John Putnam, pastor of St. Mark Church in Huntersville, told parishioners in a homily Monday morning shortly after the pope’s death was announced, “As we go through this period of transition, it’s important to pray … pray for the repose of the soul of our Holy Father, but to also pray for those cardinals who are entrusted with the responsibility of being guided by the Holy Spirit in choosing the next shepherd of the universal Church. May they be truly guided by the Holy Spirit.”
At Belmont Abbey, Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari noted, "This second day of the Easter Octave has brought the sad news of the death of Pope Francis. Easter is, however, a blessed time for Pope Francis to complete his service and go home to the Lord. The church was blessed that Pope Francis just yesterday on Easter Sunday imparted what was to be his final blessing to the church and the world."
He said the Benedictine monks will remember Pope Francis each day through next Sunday at their Conventual Masses and at Vespers, then offer a Mass upon the Death of a Pope at 11 a.m. Monday, April 28, at Mary Help of Christians Basilica.
— Catholic News Herald
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Bishop Martin, others reflect on Pope Francis' life and legacy