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This column reflects the opinion of the writer. Learn about the differences between a news story and an opinion column.

Pope truly different

This pope is different, I get that; but now I really get it.

When I read the Sept. 28 article that God weeps for the victims of sexual abuse, that was my Pope Francis moment, not hearing his progressive political views or seeing his the rock star status rise in front of huge crowds. No, my moment was when he went off the traditional Catholic script of guilt and shame for evildoers and preaching about the anger in God’s heart toward sinners, and instead spoke of a loving compassionate God that weeps for victims. Weeps.

My God is heartbroken, not angry. He is sad, not shaming. He is loving and forgiving, not judgmental and dismissive. And, he weeps for me. My God weeps for me.

Thank you, Pope Francis, for giving Catholics another way to see their God.

Tyler Ham

Spokane

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