Pope Francis who was
recently named Times Magazine’s Person of the year has revealed that there is
no single path to heaven and that the most important thing is to have a clean
and clear conscience in whatever religion one believes in. The Catholic leader
stated this in a letter to the founder of La Repubblica newspaper, Eugenio
Scalfari.
“All
religions are true, because they are true in the hearts of all those who
believe in them. What other kind of truth is there? In the past, the church has
been harsh on those it deemed morally wrong or sinful. Today, we no longer
judge. Like a loving father, we never condemn our children. Our church is big
enough for heterosexuals and homosexuals, for the pro-life and the pro-choice!
For conservatives and liberals, even communists are welcome and have joined us.
We all love and worship the same God....”
“God is
changing and evolving as we are, For God lives in us and in our hearts. When we
spread love and kindness in the world, we touch our own divinity and recognize
it. The Bible is a beautiful holy book, but like all great and ancient works,
some passages are outdated. Some even call for intolerance or judgement. The
time has come to see these verses as later interpolations, contrary to the
message of love and truth, which otherwise radiates through scripture. In
accordance with our new understanding, we will begin to ordain women as
cardinals, bishops and priests. In the future, it is my hope that we will have
a woman pope one day. Let no door be closed to women that is open to men!”
“Because Muslims, Hindus and African Animists
are also made in the very likeness and image of God, to hate them is to hate
God! To reject them to is to reject God and the Gospel of Christ. Whether we
worship at a church, a synagogue, a mosque or a mandir, it does not matter.
Whether we call God, Jesus, Adonai, Allah or Krishna, we all worship the same
God of love. This truth is self-evident to all who have love and humility in
their hearts!”
I see reason in what he said. What’s the essence of
religion if you don’t have a pure heart?