Kasper: "Catholic Church must not be self-centred"

Cardinal Walter Kasper spoke at the Catholic University in Washington DC on Thursday.

"In the centre of Pope Francis' understanding of the church stands, according to his Argentine background, the image of the church as the People of God.  It is an "ancient" understanding, one renewed by the Second Vatican Council, but one that has come to be viewed with suspicion in the West.

Pope Francis' style is not one of "benevolent popularism.

"His pastoral style is based on a whole theology. On the basis of this theology, he's averse to all clericalism. He wants the participation of the People of God in the life of the church. Women as well as men. Laity and clergy, young and old.

"He stresses the importance of the sensus fidei, and says the church must open its ears to the people."

"The Catholic Church must not be self-centred, but instead a church "on the move." And a church that is an "open house," a church of the open God, "presupposes renewal and reform."