Vatican’s Sr. Nathalie Becquart Lauds New Book on Church Reforms

Sr. Nathalie Becquart, XMCJ, Undersecretary of the General Secretariat of the Synod and Honorary Convenor of the Love Our Pope Movement (LOPM), pays tribute to the third volume of a book series, entitled “Church Reforms 3,” by multi-awarded author Dr. Jose Mario Bautista Maximiano.

In her foreword, Sr. Nathalie Becquart commends the timeliness of the volume and congratulates the author, who “offers valuable insights into the ongoing process of ecclesial reforms and renewal under Pope Francis, with a particular emphasis on synodality.”

The thesis statement of Dr. Maximiano’s book is that Pope Francis' reforms lead to a path illuminated by the Word of God and inspired by the Holy Spirit, ultimately guiding the Catholic Church towards becoming a synodal-missionary Church, which is envisioned as the Church of the future. Such is the synodal legacy of our first Jesuit Pontiff, who emphasizes creating an inclusive and engaged Church by listening, discerning, and acting together.

Addressing the Fourth Great Crisis, Pope Francis tackles moral crises like clerical sex abuse and financial corruption through radical reforms, transparency, and accountability by eradicating the "ism" causes of the moral crisis and fostering a synodal process that includes the entire People of God.

As Sr. Nathalie Becquart explains: “It is up to us, the People of God in the local communities, to find the concrete ways to make Church reforms and renewal a reality so that together we can bear the fruit of God’s dreams of a better world. We entrust this journey to our Trinitarian God, who calls us together to become a synodal-missionary Church. It is God’s work, and He invites us to cooperate with Him.”

Thus, Maximiano's present work, seen through the lens of critical theology, underscores the importance of Pope Francis' synodal approach, which involves collective discernment, dialogue, and a mission-oriented Church.

The main themes of the book could be summarized as the following: (1) Pope Francis' efforts to build a more inclusive and engaged Catholic Church by emphasizing listening, discerning, and acting collectively as a community, (2) how Pope Francis tackles contemporary moral crisis, including clerical sex abuse and financial corruption, through radical reforms and transparency measures, (3) the necessity of eliminating materialism, clericalism, triumphalism, and legalism within the Church to restore its credibility and integrity, (4), the importance of a synodal process that includes the entire People of God is highlighted, promoting a transformation towards a more missionary and inclusive Church, and; (5) Pope Francis' initiatives to reform the Vatican's financial institutions ensure transparency, accountability, and proper management of Church assets.

The volume offers a profound theological framework grounded in Vatican II's pastoral ecclesiology. It underscores the need to scrutinize and interpret the signs of the times in the light of the Gospel, providing a nuanced understanding of the current crisis's root causes.

Pope Francis’ decision to continue implementing Vatican II rather than convoking a new ecumenical council is seen as a continuation of the Church's efforts to address ongoing crises through synodality and a commitment to radical reforms.

The book also outlines concrete steps taken by Pope Francis to address the crisis, such as establishing the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors and implementing new financial oversight mechanisms. These measures showcase the shift towards protecting minors and dismantling the gay culture within the clergy. The emphasis on synodality and laity inclusion is significant, with Pope Francis expanding the Synod of Bishops to include competent laymen and women in April 2023, granting them voting rights.

Moreover, the book portrays Pope Francis as a leader embodying humility, transparency, and fortitude. His actions provide a leadership model that is compassionate and decisive. The recurring theme of the universal call to holiness and the need for personal and institutional conversion inspires readers to strive for a more authentic Christian life.

Sr. Becquart hopes that the book on Church Reforms will assist the reader to “foster relationships and put into practice synodality so that we become more and more a synodal Church in mission.” The book comes out in 2025.

On my part, reading this book has been transformative, both personally and professionally. As an educator, youth minister, catechist, and psychologist, the insights and practical applications have greatly enriched my roles.

Maria Gracia A. Olorga, PhD, is a Faculty Campus Minister at the De La Salle University Dasmarinas in the Philippines.