Changing face of Church in the United States

(Vatican Radio) On Thursday Pope Francis will make history when he speaks to a joint meeting of the American Congress in Washington D.C. The Pope will hold private talks with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, before addressing his words to the representatives of both the House and Senate. That political encounter will be followed by a visit to the nearby parish of St Patrick's, renowned for its outreach and ministry to the city's poor and homeless. 

David O’Reilly is a veteran religion writer for the Philadelphia Inquirer and is travelling on the papal plane throughout the Pope’s visit. Just ahead of the trip, he sat down with Philippa Hitchen to reflect on the changing face of the U.S. Church and the challenges the Pope will be bringing to America's political leadership …

Listen: 

O’Reilly says although Pope John Paul II visited Philadelphia back in 1979, there is great excitement in the city ahead of Pope Francis’ arrival. This Pope, he says, has “reached out to many Catholics who felt marginalized” over recent years but are now “feeling Catholic again”. The seminary, he notes, has 20  new students this year – about 3 times the number of previous years, so there is a sense of “new possibilities” for the Church.

While overall in the U.S. there has been a steady decline in the number of Catholics of European descent, O’Reilly says the Church has seen a great wave of Catholics from Latin countries so there is great anticipation for the visit of the first Latin American pope. The Church has seen a “shift of centre”, O’Reilly notes, with the “Catholic presence and energy” moving from the large archdioceses on the East coast to the south and west, creating “busy, vibrant parishes in Texas, California, New Mexico”….

O’Reilly says if the Pope brings his environmental concerns to Congress, he’s likely to encounter “about 60 republican senators with their arms folded – they’ll probably do some polite applause, but are they going to be that receptive to his message?” O’Reilly notes the Pope has also been criticized by Americans for his “harsh critique – not for capitalism per se – but for the greed, avarice and pursuit of wealth” that sometimes goes with it.

On the other hand, he says, many have been very encouraged by his “caring and putting his arms around the poor of the world – previous popes have rung that bell (but) he’s hitting it with a hammer”.  The Holy Father has a very pastoral manner but “there’s a prophet lurking behind the pastor”, O’Reilly says, adding that “if he can make a difference, thaw some hearts, it would be a wonderful thing”.