Pope’s reforms aim to show 'true face of the Church,' says Vatican official
December 09, 2013 - Pope Francis’ style and ongoing reforms are intended to encourage
Catholics to be more missionary, in order to bring the Gospel to all people, said
Archbishop Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State. “It’s very easy to work with
Pope Bergoglio. There is a lot of agreement, and this is great hope for the future,”
Archbishop Parolin said in an interview to Vatican Radio. He emphasized the Holy Father's
desire for reforms that “show the true face of the Church.” Archbishop Parolin made
his statements during the presentation of the book, “My Door is Always Open,” by Father
Antonio Spadaro, which includes a more complete version of the conversation the Holy
Father had with the director of the Jesuit magazine La Civilta Cattolica. It is true
that Church “structures must be renewed in order that they reflect the Gospel more
and more and become even more effective in the concrete exercise of the service they
should provide,” the archbishop explained. However, he continued, it is even more
important, “as the Pope is asking us, that we all work towards personal renewal –
to use a Christian term, towards continual conversion.” Archbishop Parolin further
explained the missionary dimension and style of Pope Francis. “I think the hope is
that the Gospel can reach all people: this missionary dimension that has also been
underscored today, which is fundamental in the words and in the style of Pope Francis,”
he explained. “The conference of the Latin American and Caribbean bishops at Aparecida
in 2007 underscored precisely this missionary dimension of the Church, the need to
go to the peripheries, to reach everyone, to bring the treasure of the joy of the
Gospel to all,” he said. “This is also very beautiful and is the dominant tone of
Evangelii Gaudium. Thus the Gospel is joy and we are called to bring joy to the word
by bringing this Good News.” (ASource: CNA)