Baptists Congratulate Pope Francis

Baptists across Canada and around the world are offering their congratulations on the election of the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis.  General Secretary of the Baptist World Alliance, Rev. Neville Callum, released this letter you can read here: BWA congratulates Pope Francis. The BWA represents 42 million Baptists worldwide.

Rev. Sam Chaise, Dr. Peter Reid and the other Executive Ministers from across Canada released the following to welcome and congratulate Pope Francis in his new role as leader of the Roman Catholic Church:

Canadian Baptists share the enthusiasm that our Catholic sisters and brothers have over the election of Pope Francis, and extend our prayers to Jorge Mario Bergoglio as he begins this new role. We are well aware of the challenges of Christian leadership and pray for God’s peace and leading as Pope Francis begins to chart a new course.

We are especially encouraged by the humility and simplicity that Bergoglio has exemplified throughout his life. We see in this a poignant reminder not to lord our ministry position over others but to remain in solidarity with those who live on the margins. It is also significant that Pope Francis is the first Latin American and first Jesuit to lead the Catholic Church. This illuminates both the worldwide presence of Jesus’ disciples and Catholicism’s particular strength in the Global South.

The Roman Catholic Church has great opportunity and challenge in front of it, and we pray that Pope Francis will be filled with the Holy Spirit and will continue to exemplify the teachings and presence of Jesus.  We look forward to working together on issues of common concern, as we seek to share God’s love and invite people into God’s Kingdom.

Pope Francis, may God be with you.

Rev. Sam Chaise
General Secretary, Canadian Baptist Ministries 

Dr. Peter Reid
Executive Minister, Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches 

Rev. David Rowley
Secrétaire Général, Union d’Églises baptistes francophones du Canada

Rev. Tim McCoy
Executive Minister, Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec

Rev. Jeremy Bell
Executive Minister, Canadian Baptists of Western Canada

Photo credit: http://www.touristmaker.com/blog/sights-in-italy/