A new AP poll suggests that Americans think the next Pope should be more liberal. It's a good thing they got this poll out in time, because now the Church knows that Americans like their priests married, their couples divorced, and their sex with prophylactics. I'm sure they'll vote accordingly.
Seriously, I don't even understand why they took this poll. Americans make up only 65 million of the 1.1 billion Catholics around the world. Yes, the Cardinals should take into consideration the American issues with the Church when voting for the next Pope, but they sure shouldn't choose a Pope based on American opinion. This is just another example of American hubris. Most Americans think the Church should pick a Pope who will "modernize" the Church, to reflect American preferences. But the Catholic Church is a global institution and anyone with an ounce of sense would say that the Cardinals should chose a Pope who will best serve the issues facing the world. Too many Americans think that the US is the be all and end all. It's truly shameful.
Finally, I'd like to say that I wouldn't mind a new Pope who were more open to discussion of certain issues, such as women in the priesthood. But I certainly don't want a Pope who will step in and suddenly declare that women can be priests. If a church can spin on a dime like that then I question their devotion to Truth. When a church acts it should do so slowly and carefully, it should seriously consider and debate and pray over the issues. It is better to forbid that which is permitted by God than to permit that which is forbidden by God.
Yes, hopefully there will be some change in the Church. At minimum I hope for open discussion of married and women priests. But hopefully change happens for the right reasons - because the Church determines that those things are permitted by God - and not for the wrong reasons - because Americans want a "modern" church.
What is popular is not always right, and what is right is not always popular. The Catholic Church maintains that is more important to be right than popular, especially doctrinally. Polls are of the exact opposite ideology, suggesting that change should happen because it would be popular. I'm confident that the Church knows the difference. If only Americans could learn it.
This is a place where eternally fire is applied to the body
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
9 comments:
Funny that all this talk is about the "Americans wanting a modern church." As far as predominantly Christian countries go, this is on the conservative end of the spectrum, socially and spiritually. Anyone who's ever turned on a television in Europe knows what I'm talking about.
And, from what I've read, a good portion of Western Europe and a lot of Central and South America are all asking for a more "progressive" Pope. That doesn't negate the fact that Americans are so full of themselves that they think the world exists to serve them ("us" would be the correct word here, but I can't bring myself to use it). It's just not as cut-and-dried a situation as you seem to make it out to be. It's not "America wants a liberal Pope, the rest o' the world doesn't." At least, not from what I've read.
First, I would be wary of what you've read. Lots of it, I'm sure, is motivated by precisely the idea of promoting a more liberal church. It sure helps the argument if you make it sound like everyone's onboard. And, since you're probably reading American/Western Eurpoean press, well, they're already on-board with wanting a more liberal church.
Second, I don't think lots of Central and South America are asking for a more progressive Pope - at least not in the same fashion. Their concerns probably focus more on things like the "preferential option" theology (I don't know if you're familiar with that - but it's progressive in a very different sense than American/Western Europe progressive).
Third, Africa, Asia, and South America are all growing Christian communities which need to be considered based on what they are saying, not based on American spin.
Finally, "as far as predominantly Christian countries go..." I just have to disagree. Yes, we are more conservative than Western Europe or Canada. But only on some issues. We're right there with them on things like divorce or birthcontrol or wanting to change the priesthood - basically all the issues that are relevant to this conversation. Thus, it is no argument to say that we're more conservative - the distinction is irrelevant.
And so yes, it isn't just America that wants a liberal Pope - it's America and our close cousins, Canada and Western Europe. The point still stands. A select group with similiar idealogies want a liberal Pope, and we aren't even bothering to listen to the rest of the world.
Finally you wrote a post short enough for me to read. (although it was still kinda long.) most of your posts are just too long for me to read. did any of your professors ever tell you to be more concise? they should have.
also, do you have any idea who are the main candidates for the new pope?
First of all, regardless of lenth, you should read all my posts, all the time.
Second, even though some of them look long, most read very quickly and are well-worth the time.
Third, there's nothing necessarily valuable about being concise. I don't often write more than I need to - every word has value.
Finally, regarding the new Pope question. I'd have to say the main candidates are people who are now Cardinals.
I think the wishy washy DO have a patron saint. Isn't it Judas Iscariot? Or would it be Peter?
Yeah, I'd have to agree that the main candidates would definitely be those Cardinals...
I also think the Cardinals are probably the right choice, but if their pitchers can't stay healthy, all the Rolen in the world won't be enough to save them.
duh, i know the cardinals. i just wanted to know if you heard any rumors about specific ones. and no, your blogs do not read quickly. and in this case, there is a lot to be said for concision.
I think most of them do read pretty quickly. And those which don't are probably more essential to read. Don't be such a wuss. And no, I don't know too many specific rumors. One about a cardinal from Brazil who's very traditional on church teaching like divorce and birth control, but progressive on social issues like poverty.
Post a Comment