A simple life

The Jesuits have always been the rebels of the Catholic Church, so perhaps it’s not surprising that Pope Francis is shaking up Rome in what is considered a revolutionary way in the age of materialism: by calling for a return to simple ways.

And probably to make sure the princes of the Church are the first to get his message, Francis is leading by example, by eschewing the pomp that has long been associated with the pope and the Catholic leadership.

It’s not called St. Peter’s throne for nothing. The occupant of this throne, surrounded by the opulence of the Vatican and the grandeur of Rome, cannot help feeling like a king. When you work under Michelangelo’s masterpiece in the Sistine Chapel and walk along halls adorned with priceless art and other treasures, leading a simple life can be impossible. The homes of archbishops are not called palaces out of whimsy.

As of Palm Sunday, Pope Francis reportedly had not yet fully settled into the Apostolic Palace. He continued to eschew the use of a bulletproof popemobile, giving his security escorts nightmares, and seemed to abhor ostentatious papal vestments.

Some people are wondering how long the new pontiff can keep this up. Maybe he will eventually move into modest quarters that will never be mistaken for a palace, and turn the Vatican complex completely into a tourist attraction to raise funds for charity and Church operations.

The message of simplicity and humility should resonate down the ranks, around the world. The pursuit of wealth and material happiness is fine for ordinary mortals, but the shepherds of the flock are supposed to be a cut above the rest. The bar for simple living is set higher for the clergy; a prince of the Church is expected to be rich in spirit rather than material wealth. So when bishops are portrayed with a penchant for luxury sport utility vehicles, it can be damaging to the Church.

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The Vatican is the world’s smallest state, and in the past decades its leaders have increasingly behaved just like ordinary heads of state: VIPs who enjoy the best of worldly treats. Vatican VIPs enjoy special security courtesy of the Pontifical Swiss Guards, who serve as the de facto armed force for the Holy See. Like the Apostolic Palace, the Swiss Guards are striking, from their colorful raiment to the height requirement (those shorter than 174 cm – about 5 feet 8.5 inches tall – need not apply).

In recent years Church leaders have also been hounded by worldly scandals. News reports since the abdication of Benedict XVI indicate that the sex and corruption scandals, with the Vatican penchant for looking the other way, started even during the time of Pope John Paul II. Benedict, chosen by John Paul as successor, maintained the status quo, according to the reports. The scandals, it seems, eventually blew up in Benedict’s face.

Whether Benedict’s resignation will lead to a thorough Church housecleaning is still an open question. So far Pope Francis has not directly addressed the sex scandals involving the clergy in several countries or the financial scandals and intrigue in the Vatican. But perhaps his call for a return to a simple life includes the sexual conduct and business dealings of the shepherds of the flock.

It’s a call that’s not easily heeded under current circumstances, within or outside the Vatican. Still, it’s fascinating to watch the new pontiff doing what he can to lead by example.

This is seen as a return to the basic message of this Church, which is humility and affinity with the needy and unfortunate. This is surely much appreciated by the flock. Perhaps the message will take root among the faithful this Holy Week.

Be safe during the holidays. And advance happy Easter to everyone!

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RECALLED: It’s good that Swiss food giant Nestlé, without prodding, has recalled four variants of its Kit Kat Chunky bars and Easter egg, even taking out ads to inform the public about the recall, after seven consumers complained of finding pieces of plastic in the products.

Prompt action and transparency in such matters build consumer confidence – indispensable for a global brand.

Automobile manufacturers can do the same when their products are found to have defects.  If they don’t want to take out newspaper ads, they should at least warn buyers about potential problems. A pilot I know who bought a brand-new Ford Mustang last January is one unhappy customer. He has written Ford that the car already had 70 kilometers on its odometer and there was squeaking from the left front side from the moment he took possession of the Mustang. Now the car is still under repair at Ford Global City, waiting for a locking mechanism from abroad for its faulty suspension.

The 2011-2012 Ford Mustang is covered by a recall announced last year by its mother company in the United States. Vehicle safety recalls are made public in the US, with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notified. But the pilot was not informed about any Mustang recall by the Philippine dealer before the purchase. Does this constitute a deceptive sales act under the Consumer Protection law?

The pilot now wants the defective brand-new car replaced. When a car costs millions, the purchase shouldn’t be a case of buyer beware.