I'm not naive. I've read about the work of Jesuits for nazi Germany and all their crude misconduct throughout history. But that's what I was counting on - not a scheming agent of devious machinations, but a person who goes against the grain on his own principles. Put someone like that as Pope and you can expect a shakedown.
I was not only schooled by Jesuits, I was personally mentored by the former Jesuit Provincial (the highest Jesuit position in any country) in matters of social justice. Jesuits have founded many social action organizations including two of the largest labor unions in the country. In the end, the Jesuit Provincial, who also had taught Ethics in the prestigious Philippine Military Academy, had a serious falling out with the women's organization he helped found because of its positions on abortion and the reproductive health bill. I had a falling out eventually because although I took the cudgels of organizing the women loyal to him, I could not not support the bill. Or so I would like to think. Possibly I'm difficult to work with in a structured environment where Jesuits can thrive with the military. It's always been my challenge.
So I love this Pope because he has gone against many traditions. I suspect he is also torn on many more issues than already publicly confessed. For instance, several Jesuits are gays. There are many whispers among the halls of the Ateneo University. We who heard of them were torn between sympathy and cringing. So the Pope opening the conversation on this piece should have been helpful.
This Pope will surely change lives if he hadn't already. But not because he has his own opinions that differentiate him from many modern Catholics, but because he is dressed in a robe, he is talked about, seen in crowds, and he waves from a magnificent balcony dripping with symbol. One day he will pass away and we will feel empty for his loss. And his successor may prolong his legacy or overturn it, as popes are allowed. But 30 years from now we may have already disregarded his words, especially if no real change in the clergy hierarchy would have taken effect.
My point is, there are people more ordinary who have no clout but will be shaping our lives more than any person on TV. They are called our neighbors. They elect the local community leader, the next president, and even has a hand in how traffic is managed in our neighborhoods. Yet we hardly ask about their principles and values. We don't sit them down and dress down their wrong notions about women, gays, carpooling, or the electoral system. And yet we can. And even get some clout in the process.
The Pope soon comes to the Philippines. Already, streets are being paved more thoughtfully. People will be flocking to get a glimpse, it will be a nightmare for the government of a hugely Catholic country to ensure his safety.
I'm already learning two things from his hugeness and his smallness. Every generation has a revolutionary, but this generation has many, although pity they have been adopted by corporations. There's Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and others. People who don't care whether you have community gardens only computers. This Pope may be a different revolutionary. At least he spoke about inequality as the root of all evil. Nathan again, he has not started a program for equality in Vatican City. His hugeness is becoming increasingly inappropriate to his message. But then he is also inherently small, a small piece in the puzzle. He can't change the world alone. And so he must try to preserve the office which differentiates his not-so-extraordinary opinion from the common folk.
Elementally, the Pope is still an ordinary stranger outside your doors. How much of the Pope you let in is a reflection of the world you're trying to make; how much you let in of any stranger for that matter.
We curate chaos just as anybody else does. He may be one thing and so are you.
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