April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
LOCAL AUTHOR

Shocked by similarities to book's character

Rev. Joseph Girzone, author of the bestselling series of "Joshua" books and a priest of the Albany Diocese, published "The Homeless Bishop" in 2011. He told The Evangelist he and his readers were surprised to see the parallels between his fictional character of a bishop who chooses to become homeless to better understand Jesus' love for the poor and the reputed personality of the new Pope Francis.

"I was totally shocked when Cardinal Bergoglio was elected.  As soon as people learned about him, I started getting phone calls from people, Protestant and Catholics, telling me that it was 'eerie' that he is so much like Carlo in 'The Homeless Bishop,' even to his being so concerned about bringing Jesus back into the life of the Church.

"I think it is wonderful that the new pope is from South America. The South American Catholics have not had very much support during the most difficult times they have gone through. I think his election is just what the Church needs. Jesus has been lost to the churches. People make a big thing about talking about Jesus, but I have found that not many Christians, even priests and ministers, really have a deep understanding of Jesus. That's why our little Joshua ministry is dedicated to make Jesus better known around the world.

"About 10 years ago, I sent a letter to all the bishops and cardinals in the U. S. and in the Vatican, saying that Jesus is the lost factor in Christianity, that there is not a seminary probably in the world that teaches a course about Jesus, and theologians and Scripture scholars don't try to make Jesus real in their writings. 

"Cardinal Ratzinger got a copy of the letter. When he was elected pope three years later, he called up my publisher, Doubleday, and asked them if they would publish his book, 'Jesus of Nazareth,' which he said he had started writing three years earlier. My publisher called me immediately to tell me, because they know I had sent that letter. 

"Since then as pope he has written three beautiful books about Jesus, and remarked when the last one came out that he hoped that his books would help people to have a better understanding of Jesus. That's what's needed today. 

"I think [his age] is irrelevant. As long as he has the strength of mind and body to cope with the pressures and a strong vision of what has to be done, he can be like a gentle bulldozer in low gear and gently move the opposition to go along with him, or else.

"[The name] Francis is significant: total dedication to Jesus. With his Jesuit discipline and scholarly background, it's a perfect combination. The Holy Spirit hit a grand slam. He could not accomplish any better achievement than to bring Jesus back into Christianity."

(Learn more about Father Girzone and his books at www.joshuamountain.org.) (KB)[[In-content Ad]]

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