The retirement of Pope Benedict has received must media
attention. Most seemingly focus on the positive symbolic move from
extraordinary power. The fact that those in power find it difficult, if not
impossible, to abdicate their position has made this decision seem remarkable.
For me, I have two reactions.
Pope Benedict was a disaster, dating at least to the end of
the Vatican Council. While he may never had been a progressive theologian, he
was a compatriot of many experts during the Council who advocated for change.
When he returned to his university position, he was overwhelmed by the
perceived aggressive stance of many students who wanted change to be
implemented soon. He was so struck by what he then perceived as evidence of
danger to the institution. He concluded that the thrust of the Vatican Council
had to be essentially reversed. For the rest of his career as a theologian,
bishop, cardinal, and most recently, pope, he has resisted all evidence that
indicated that the last 50 years have been a theological disaster. Refusing to
deal constructively with past errors, evidenced by so many renowned theologians,
has devastated the Catholic Church, at least in the Western World and, its only
a matter of time before these positions will jeopardize the currently more
conservative members of the Church in South American, Africa and Asia.
As Cardinal and then, as Pope, he has gravely mishandled the
clerical sex abuse scandal. One
may say that he did no worse than Pope John Paul, but this would be a damning
observation. His approach to supporting the Institutional Church rather than
the sanctioning the behavior of clergy that destroyed young people was
unconscionable. How he can look into the mirror without shame is a mystery.
Secondly, I do not think that the cardinal electors, all
selected by Pope John Paul and himself, will ever vote for anyone who will be
brave enough to admit that the past, dating back to the 12th Century,
has been one long series of theological errors that have been dignified with
articles of faith. I will be most surprised if the next pope would face the
outcry of the more conservative members of the Church who would consider any
deviation from “tradition” to be virtually treasonous. There are so many beliefs
based on erroneous theology that it would be earth shattering to see a
reversal. However, without breaking the vessel holding the stench of lies,
there will never be a chance for genuine progress.
I wish
that his future days will be focused on the horrendous harm that can be
attributed to his history. I wish him no harm, but I surely grieve that so many
have been hurt by these many years of his career in power.
N.B. By first experience of being angry with a pope was in 1968. At the time, we were all waiting to hear from the then pope, Paul, to endorse the recommendation of the Papal Commission on Birth Control which he had established. Since the recommendation was that the traditional position should be reversed and artificial birth control would become permissible, many people were set up for a reason to be very happy. Unfortunately, Pope Paul rejected the recommendation and reiterated the traditional morality. On a Sunday soon thereafter, I publicly rejected the pope's position in my homily and told people that any counseling that I had provided was still valid, from my perspective. As one would expect, this sermon only helped to ease me out of the ministry. And from a historical perspective, it marked the rush of people who no longer respected the authority of the pope or, in general, the power structure of the Catholic Church.
P.S. Based on reports this morning (15 March), it is becoming clear that the new pope does carry a serious piece of baggage. While his conservative theological views are well-known, it is apparent that he was a silent citizen (as the head of Society of Jesus in Argentina) during the infamous Military Dictatorship between 1976-1983. Through South American, in fact, the Catholic hierarchy were supporters of right-wing dictators in the attempt to strengthen the power of the church and resist advocates for more liberal changes. It also appears that the new pope, as the then leader of the Jesuits, did not support two of his own priests who worked in the slums and were ultimately kidnapped, tortured, and killed. We are all sinners, as humans, but sometimes, those in positions of leadership have to rise above their weakness to support a cause greater than themselves. It appears that the new pope flunked the test when a crisis occurred in Argentina.
N.B. By first experience of being angry with a pope was in 1968. At the time, we were all waiting to hear from the then pope, Paul, to endorse the recommendation of the Papal Commission on Birth Control which he had established. Since the recommendation was that the traditional position should be reversed and artificial birth control would become permissible, many people were set up for a reason to be very happy. Unfortunately, Pope Paul rejected the recommendation and reiterated the traditional morality. On a Sunday soon thereafter, I publicly rejected the pope's position in my homily and told people that any counseling that I had provided was still valid, from my perspective. As one would expect, this sermon only helped to ease me out of the ministry. And from a historical perspective, it marked the rush of people who no longer respected the authority of the pope or, in general, the power structure of the Catholic Church.
P.S. Based on reports this morning (15 March), it is becoming clear that the new pope does carry a serious piece of baggage. While his conservative theological views are well-known, it is apparent that he was a silent citizen (as the head of Society of Jesus in Argentina) during the infamous Military Dictatorship between 1976-1983. Through South American, in fact, the Catholic hierarchy were supporters of right-wing dictators in the attempt to strengthen the power of the church and resist advocates for more liberal changes. It also appears that the new pope, as the then leader of the Jesuits, did not support two of his own priests who worked in the slums and were ultimately kidnapped, tortured, and killed. We are all sinners, as humans, but sometimes, those in positions of leadership have to rise above their weakness to support a cause greater than themselves. It appears that the new pope flunked the test when a crisis occurred in Argentina.
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