Bishop Kevin Farrell

The Chief Shepherd of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas

Connect

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Search

Home » The Spirit moves in strange and wondrous ways

The Spirit moves in strange and wondrous ways

January 10, 2014 By Bishop Kevin J. Farrell

I doubt that any papal document has had the readership or the impact of Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium. It has changed the political dialogue on the poor, the income gap and inequality for both parties.

What is interesting is that what Pope Francis has taught on these issues has been in many earlier papal documents, which demonstrates the influence of the messenger on the reception of the message. Of course, one must admit that papal encyclicals and other documents in the past tended to be extremely ponderous compared to the simple language and clarity of Evangelii Gaudium.

For the media, popes before Pope Francis made more news by what they did than by what they taught. Pope Francis has struck a chord not only with the media, and some politicians, but also with Catholics and even non-believers worldwide. His style and simplicity have caused him to be dubbed “the world’s parish priest.”

In less than a year he has changed the image of the Catholic Church. Who would have believed it? The Spirit moves in strange and wondrous ways.

This post is also available in/Esta entrada también está disponible en: Spanish

Filed Under: Pope Francis Tagged With: En Español, Evangelii Gaudium

← Your January Reading: Evangelii Gaudium A very Franciscan list of new cardinals →

Bishop Farrell on Twitter

Follow @Bishop_Farrell

About Bishop Farrell

Bishop Kevin Joseph Farrell was appointed Seventh Bishop of Dallas on March 6, 2007 by Pope Benedict XVI.
   
MORE ON BISHOP FARRELL

Recent Posts

  • Bishop Farrell’s homily for Mass of Thanksgiving
  • Prefect of the new Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life
  • Simple acts of kindness
  • Prayer does not need words, it only needs faith
  • Baton Rouge

Bishop's Favorite Sites

  • Bishop Farrell Invitational
  • Bishop's Annual Appeal
  • Catholic Charities of Dallas
  • Catholic Diocese of Dallas
  • Catholic News Service
  • Catholic Pro-Life Committee
  • Catholic Schools of Dallas
  • Our Faith Our Future
  • The Catholic Foundation
  • The Vatican
  • USCCB

Sitius favoritos del Obispo

  • Campaña Anual del Obispo
  • Comité Católico Pro-Vida
  • El Vaticano