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Sunday's Child - Nikolas
New Pope Brings New Hope for West Texas Catholics 3/13/13
Felicia Bolton
fbolton@cbs7.com
CBS 7 News Reporter
March 13, 2013
ODESSA, TX - It’s the start of a new beginning for the Roman Catholic Church and many West Texans say the new Pope means new changes could be on the way to their faith.
Many West Texans are singing praises of Pope Jorge Bergoglio
“I was feeling excited today. I was just watching the news from beginning to early in the morning. As soon as I found out we had a new pope, I was just praising God,” said Zoila Mata, member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church.
It’s been a year of controversy and scandal in the Catholic Church. With a study decline in members across the nation, some West Texans believe this new Pope could draw in more people to the denomination.
“I'm very excited. I think we do need a leader for the Catholic Church. I'm excited about what is new. I love changes,” said Thelma Vieth, member of the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church.
Members of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Odessa say they're praying for more changes in the catholic faith.
In a year of controversy and a decline in members, there is new hope that the pope will bring forth modernization and restoration of the church.
“The church is not this perfect entity. It strives for holiness and it does give hope with every new leader,” said Father Michael Rodriguez of the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church.
Pastor Rodriguez says its Pope Bergolio’s background that spouts new hope for catholic believers.
The Pope is the first from the Americas and the pastor believes it’s his South American roots that could draw in more Hispanics to rejoin the church.
Pope Francis I is known for openly showing tolerance to those who are considered outcasts, however some believe this still will not change the core values regarding women in the church and homosexuals.
“No, [accepting homosexuality] that's not going to happen. That's something that’s not going to change. It has its biblical roots,” said Rodriguez.
Pope Francis I is also the first pope outside of Europe in a millennium. Many Catholics believe his time as pope will focus on helping the poor.