Hawaii Catholic Church officials hailed the election of Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina to the papacy as a breath of fresh air for a church beleaguered by scandal and searching to remain relevant in a changing world.
"I think it’s a very refreshing move as the church really has seen most of its growth in the past several decades in the Southern Hemisphere, so it’s a great thing that an Argentinian pope has been named," the Rev. Larry Silva, bishop of the Diocese of Honolulu, said Wednesday. "I think it’s also an indication that the church really is an international organization. It’s the Catholic Church, which means it’s universal."
The Rev. Terrence A.M. Watanabe, pastor of St. Theresa’s Church in Kihei, Maui, said, "I think it’s a positive move because the church is made up of so many people from around the world. We can learn from each other, exchange our views of the world from different parts of the world. It’s really positive for the church and brings unity among the people."
Bergoglio, who chose the name Francis, is the first pontiff from the Americas and the first from outside Europe in more than a millenium. He was elected on the fifth ballot on just the second day of the conclave.
"The fact that the election was really expeditious, I think, is a good indication that the cardinals must have had a fairly good, solid agreement among themselves that this was the right man," Silva said.
The Rev. Chris Keahi, pastor at St. Michael’s Church in Waialua, said he has faith that Pope Francis is the right person to help the church start to re-engage with Catholics worldwide, while also taking care of administrative problems within the church.
"I think we have a wonderful, kind, very people-oriented pope, one who has certainly been very kind and compassionate towards others, especially those who are poor," Keahi said. "I think he brings about a new vision for the church and from his time in administration as the head of the church in Argentina, I think it’s evident he can handle the problems that have and perhaps may come about in our church today. His experience and wisdom will be the keys to bringing about healing in the church."
Silva said, "I think his name choice of Francis is interesting because Francis was somebody who, in the 13th century, found a church that was somewhat besieged by scandal and he renewed it in many ways. … Hopefully our new Francis will be able to help us do that, too."
Silva will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving today at noon at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace downtown to honor and pray for the new Pope Francis.
