Fr Alban McCoy is a Conventual Franciscan, who was ordained to the priesthood in 1975. Fr Alban was Catholic Chaplain at the University of Cambridge from 1998-2013, and is now Dean at St Edmund’s College. He is also Religious Books Editor for The Tablet.
Fr Alban led a study day entitled ‘The Gospel according to Pope Francis’ on Saturday 16th March 2019 at Gidea Park Catholic Church. The study day came just three days after the sixth anniversary of the election of Pope Francis on 13th March 2013.
Fr Alban acknowledged the impact of Pope Francis, which goes from severe criticism to adulation. He explored the role of the papacy over the centuries. Popes are not innovators but they should be reformers. Francis is doing what popes should do. The key to understanding this pope is to see him as continuing the implementation of the teaching of the Second Vatican Council, with its focus on the people of God, on baptism and on engagement with the world.
His fundamental emphasis is on mercy, which is the essence of the gospel of Jesus and is described by Francis as ‘the name of God’. The Church needs to listen to humanity. Church doctrine must pursue pastoral goals. Pope Francis reflects in all his actions the focus on mercy found in his patron, St Francis of Assisi. The infinite compassion of God must guide Christian action.
Two talks were followed by a question and answer session, which included consideration of the 2016 apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia on love in the family.