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Tagle questions talk of a Francis 'revolution'

Says the Argentine pope's emphases are nothing 'new' for Asian Catholics
Tagle questions talk of a Francis 'revolution'
Published: November 20, 2014 05:26 AM GMT
Updated: November 19, 2014 05:26 PM GMT

Philippines Cardinal Luis Tagle has called on people to stop referring to Pope Francis' papacy as a "revolution" in the church, saying the pontiff's emphases are "not new" for Catholics across the continent of Asia.

Speaking Tuesday at an event focused on the church's mission in Asia, Tagle said Francis' tone and focuses are less a sea change and more an affirmation of work Asian Catholics have been undertaking for decades.

"I am always surprised when someone — in the media, in the congregations — asks me, 'What do you think about this revolution of Pope Francis — the revolution to go to the periphery, to be a church for the poor?'" Tagle said.

"But I ask: 'What revolution?'" the cardinal continued. "It's not new for us.... It's not a revolution. It's an affirmation of various intuitions of the church in Asia and of the universal church."

Tagle spoke at a symposium dedicated to the theme "Mission in Asia: From Pope John Paul II to Pope Francis" that the news organization AsiaNews hosted at the Pontifical Urbaniana University.

Tagle also gave hints of what he expects to happen during Francis' visit to the country. The pope is to visit Sri Lanka and the Philippines from January 12-19 in what will be his seventh visit outside Italy as pope.

Tagle said he hoped one highlight of the pontiff's Philippines visit would be an emphasis to talk to families touched by rampant government and commercial corruption in the country. In the Philippines, Tagle said, there is a "sad dichotomy between the professed faith and the ordinary life" of people.

 

Full Story: Cardinal Tagle: Stop talking about a Francis 'revolution'

Source: National Catholic Reporter

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