Dear Pope Francis

Hello Vicar of Christ,

Also known as the Bishop of Rome.  Nice titles.  I personally like Supreme Allied Commander Europe as the best job title, something about the word supreme that just feels more powerful when bestowed upon a mere mortal. I go by Chef.  So much so that people in social situations that don't even work for me any more call me Chef.  I've also been called Jeff by strangers in these social situations.  A nice chuckle for me to be sure.

But again, I digress.

Dear Pope Francis,

I confess that I am no longer a member of your flock.  I left organized religion six or seven years ago because, quite simply, I couldn't do the hypocrisy thing.  It's not a question about God...it's about religion.  I won't bore you with all the platitudes that people will spout out about religion causing more death then any other force.  Nor will I pontificate about the double standards, unseemly behaviour and breach of trust that has seemed to plague your church and most others.  Rather, I am writing to say that I find you interesting.  Oh, and you look like my dad.  So much so that when you were elected and I saw your picture I asked my sister to go check on him to make sure he hadn't wandered off into the wrong area...from his lazy boy in Hamilton no less.

I find you refreshing.  You truly do seem to be interested in "God's work".. Eschewing normal church behaviours you have donned disguise to minister to the poor and homeless in Rome.  You push back against the back drop of extravagance that Vatican City bestows upon your position. More importantly you have pushed back on hot button issues such as gay marriage and divorce.  I'm sure not quickly enough or strong enough for some but you are doing so.  Incrementalism is not a bad thing and for people to assume you can change a behemoth as large as the Catholic Church over night is just plain stupid.  But I suspect you know that.

What you have done is change the direction of the church a bit.  One hopes for the better.  Ordain women, let priests marry and perform gay marriages...do you think that would change the fortunes of the church.  Think of the troubles that you can eliminate by those three actions.  Of course, conservative zealots would scheme to take away your white hat, red shoes and the pope mobile but maybe the act of shifting the discussion is why you are here in the first place.  If so, you sir, are doing Gods work.

I grew up under Pope John Paul 2.0; and while he was a well liked fellow he didn't do liberal much did he.  Sure he played a part in destroying communism but where was he on gay rights? I also spent much of my formative life in the Catholic School system in Ontario. Where we had brothers and priests teaching us biology and history. I never really saw the irony back then, for if I did I probably would have been cast out as a heretic.  Or had my own exorcism...nice.  Sorry. Despite this upbringing at school and to a much lesser extent at home, I wasn't a literal kind of believer. I believed in the lesson.  Still do.  If I do or don't do something it may come from my sense of what is right based on religion..how can it not be after all since I was in the system for a long time.  But I wonder if I wouldn't still be a good person if I hadn't learned to kneel a lot.  That's rhetorical; of course I would still be good.  Oh, and thanks for the messed up knees.

And the music. Some of the music is so uplifting. Soulful. What is your favourite? I like Be Not Afraid and Amazing Grace, they are classics.  And Ave Maria when done right...pure magic.  I remember once in the little church in Lunenburg a fellow playing guitar and singing Gentle Women, Hail Mary. I don't know much but I know it was one of the most powerful things I have ever heard. It was understated and pure.  Look I have goosebumps. Is it the music or the message?  Both likely. True story time.  Since I have left the church I have had occasion to go for various reasons and I have felt like I wasn't allowed to enjoy the music as I wasn't a member of the club any more. Strange eh? I wonder if you can answer that.  Why would I feel like I didn't belong.  Was it me or was it the way the church acts towards people that are not following the rules? If you'd like to discuss please send the pope plane for me and we chat over wine sometime....I would like that.

I'm sure you would agree that the church has a long way to go but maybe, just maybe you have started it on a path to true transfiguration. I'd like to think the better angels nestled right up to you on this.  Best of luck and God speed.

Ciao
D