Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama, who met with Pope Francis on three occasions during the last 12 years, shares his thoughts with NC Catholics on how the pope approached ministry and outreach.
A small gesture with large meaning
"For me, what made a difference was the way Pope Francis approached things. When you visited him, he always came out to welcome you. It's a simple detail, but it speaks volumes. He was not waiting for you to come in and say hello. He came out and welcomed you. That is what he did with the Church. He opened the doors for the Church to present the beauty of what we believe to the whole world. He went out to reach the people where they are. Not with speeches or dogma, but with mercy and love."
Caring for the Earth
"Another beautiful legacy was how he spoke about our common home - how our planet is the place where we live and how we need to respect it. God created the world, and when he saw what he created, he said it was good. What Pope Francis was telling us is to be in awe about what God created. It was completely new and really needed to help us understand that all of us are responsible for taking care of the world we live in.”
The dignity of every person
"Pope Francis spoke very strongly about abortion, but he didn't stay there. He helped us see that life is sacred and holy all the way until death. No matter the situations in which people are living, they have dignity. Going out to reach them means treating them with respect, and that is what is needed today."
A personal connection
"Part of his legacy is that he was the one who sent me here [to the Diocese of Raleigh], and I cannot be more grateful to him because I learned to love where I am. What I have been trying to do in the diocese is put into practice what Pope Francis was teaching us - mercy and love. Because to be open, to listen, we need to first let people know that they are loved. When they experience that love, they see the face of God."
Challenges and synodality
"One of his legacies was shaking us a little bit, pushing us in directions that were uncomfortable sometimes. When that happens, it's how Jesus wants us to see not just the direction we prefer, but the direction where surprises await - surprises that touch us because we weren't prepared for them. They show us that it's not my way, but Jesus' way. Pope Francis opened the Church to a more synodal way, giving opportunities for lay people to assume responsibilities. Each of us - bishops, priests, religious, and lay people - must embrace our role in the Church and assume the responsibility to live our faith."
Gratitude and the future
"We need to keep praying for the repose of Pope Francis’ soul. We need to have a heart of gratitude for what we received from him - a generous heart looking for the will of God. It's beautiful to see that the Church is still a mystery … be open and pray to the Lord.”
