FIELD FOCUS
A Pope for Many Peoples
Francis Inspires
Christians of All Types
Pope Francis has been touching hearts and minds far beyond his Catholic flock since his election last year. I say this
not only as a Roman Catholic woman, but also after countless conversations with mainline Protestants and evangelical Christians on Francis’ impact on contemporary Christendom.
Last December, when the pope endorsed a global day of
prayer to end hunger, Bread for the World shared that news
widely and invited our ecumenical partners to join it. This
was met with broad ecumenical support. When Christians
can come together, the entire Christian body becomes more
unified and stronger—a clearer representation of God at
work in the world.
Some of us at Bread have been reading The Joy of the Gospel, Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation on the Proclamation of
the Gospel in Today’s World, which he released in November 2013. Two aspects from my recent reading of the exhortation struck me as powerfully relevant to Bread’s mission to end hunger because they resonated with our recent
strategic planning process: that our advocacy efforts must
be grounded in God’s love and that we must redouble our
efforts to influence our nation’s hunger- and poverty-focused
policies.
Bread was founded 40 years ago. Its mission to end hunger was born out of a conviction deeply rooted in a Christian hope. Bread members have shared this lofty vision and
pragmatic goal, especially with political decision makers. I
believe Christian hunger and poverty policy advocacy is an
important way to be Christians in the world.
The Joy of the Gos pel describes how political leaders have a
special role to play in addressing root causes of poverty. Poli-
Edgar Jiménez
By Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy
In his short time as pope, Francis has quickly turned the church’s
attention back to the issue of poverty through his actions and writings.
ticians have an important role to pursue the common good.
“I beg the Lord to grant us more politicians who are genuinely disturbed by the state of society, the people, the lives
of the poor!” Francis’ exhortation says. “It is vital that government leaders and financial leaders take heed and broaden their horizons, working to ensure that all citizens have
dignified work, education and healthcare. Why not turn to
God and ask him to inspire their plans?”
Another section of the exhortation reads: “…anyone
who has truly experienced God’s saving love does not need
much time or lengthy training to go out and proclaim that
love.” One of the ways Bread describes its work echoes this:
God’s grace in Jesus Christ moves us to help our neighbors,
whether they live in the next house, the next state, or the
next continent. We at Bread believe that it doesn’t take anything special to approach our nation’s decision makers, and
doing so can have an impact that reaches far.
Working for an ecumenical organization has taught me
that there are many wonderful expressions of Christianity that are represented in the collective Christian voice of
Bread for the World. Our members are the voice of the faithful who fervently believe that hunger doesn’t have to be a
reality. I am humbled by the simplicity and conviction of
Pope Francis and how it has inspired Christians. I am emboldened by how his words resonate with the work we have
been doing together through Bread for four decades.
Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy is the interim director of Bread’s
church relations department.
www.bread.org 7