Rejected for his mercy: Wyoming Catholics mourn Pope Francis

Yahoo

30-04-2025

CHEYENNE — The Roman Catholic faith has entered a period of global transition, as parishioners globally mourn the passing of Pope Francis and prepare for the conclave, the process by which a new pope is elected.
Known for his charity, humble nature, care for the poor and controversial, yet progressive stance on issues like LGBTQ+ rights and divorce, Francis passed on Easter Monday at 88 years old.
In light of Pope Francis' passing, thousands of Catholics in the Cowboy State, whether they find themselves on the traditionalist or progressive side of the aisle, are in the midst of a nine-day period of prayer and mourning.
Roughly 75 parishioners of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cheyenne gathered early Tuesday morning at St. Mary's Cathedral to mourn Francis during a Mass for the Dead, led by Bishop Steven Biegler. Francis appointed Biegler as the ninth bishop of the Diocese of Cheyenne — which includes all of Wyoming — in 2017.
'Pope Francis said that the compassion of the Good Samaritan should be the order of lords, the order of love in our society, especially how we treat the poor and those on the margins, immigrants,' Biegler told attendees Tuesday morning. 'People didn't like that when he said that. He often was rejected because of the mercy he talked about.'
Biegler added that Catholics should expect to be rejected if they are going to follow Christ, as the experience of rejection is one of the ways to proclaim the Gospel.
'People rejected Pope Francis when he proclaimed mercy for immigrants, members of the LGBTQ community, prisoners and the poor,' Biegler said. 'Mercy and rejection were part of Christ's life, profound mercy that led them also to be rejected. We should expect to be rejected if we're going to follow Christ and really show the kind of love that he showed.'
Biegler further discussed the boldness with which Francis expressed his mercy, calling on congregants to embrace boldness in their own faith.
'Francis said that we needed to recapture the boldness, or the parrhesia. Parrhesia is the Greek word for that boldness,' Biegler said. '. … Boldness for the first disciples was based on their experience of the risen Lord, and we see it in the spirit which really put them on fire for Christ's presence.'
Parishioner Nathaniel Trelease said he felt Biegler demonstrated his great affection for Francis and did 'a wonderful job' highlighting what the pope did in his ministry.
'Generally, popes do one of three things: They evangelize, they go and they preach the good news; they are focused on the public worship of God; or they express charity, care for the poor,' Trelease said. 'Pope Francis really focused on the third (charity). The bishop did a wonderful job of highlighting that outreach.'
The entire Catholic Church is mourning the death of Pope Francis, according to a news release from the Diocese of Cheyenne.
'In cathedrals, basilicas, parish churches, shrines, and chapels, the Holy Eucharist will be offered for the repose of his soul,' the release reads. 'Communities and individuals will ask God to bestow his infinite mercy on the man who served the Church as Bishop of Rome.'
While Catholics mourn the loss of Francis, the church also is preparing for the conclave, the process by which a new pope is selected, which will begin May 7.
Just as there are ideological splits in politics, so are there ideological splits in the Roman Catholic Church. The selection of the new pope has implications for more than a billion members of the church worldwide.
'The hope for the conclave is the hope that we always have, which is to keep the Sacred Scripture and the deposit of faith alive and fresh for people 2000 years after the birth of Christ,' Trelease said.
Though no Wyoming cardinals will be present for the vote, there are 10 American cardinals eligible to enter the conclave. There are roughly 135 cardinals eligible to vote.
While the cardinals prepare for the conclave, the remainder of the church members can only faithfully pray for the cardinals to make the right decision.
'You hope that the Holy Spirit moves the cardinals in the conclave to make the right choice,' Trelease said. 'None of us here are wise enough to make that choice. But we all, whether in our individual lives or as princes of the church, have to be open to the promptings of the Spirit, and that's all we can hope for.'