Choose a new pope for modern times
Pope Benedict XVI’s stunning decision to step down gives the Roman Catholic Church the opportunity to choose a progressive leader who’s more in step with how churchgoers really live their lives in the 21st century.
American Catholics especially would benefit from the selection of a pope ready to talk openly about religious values in modern times. U.S. Catholics’ support for the use of birth control and for women as priests, for example, have long been ignored and criticized by the Vatican.
Unfortunately, the College of Cardinals is populated with many of Benedict’s like-minded followers, who may be more in tune with continuing very conservative church doctrines. While certainly many people worldwide embrace these teachings, the church has been missing opportunities to reach out to more progressive Catholics not just in the United States but also in Europe and Latin America.
Benedict will leave behind a mixed record on major spiritual and church-related issues. Many Americans are disturbed by the church’s inability to effectively deal with the priest abuse scandals that have victimized thousands of children, soiled the reputation of the church and financially damaged it.
The Kansas City region has certainly seen its share of trouble in that regard, as Bishop Robert W. Finn, leader of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, was found guilty of failing to report suspected child abuse.
The pope had more success in promoting the values of prayer and Christianity, with a special focus on bringing Europeans back to the church.
The Catholic Church, like many other religions around the globe, faces many challenges in the hustle-bustle world of today. They include wooing people to attend religious services and getting people to contribute time and money to the valuable outreach efforts of their churches.
Benedict’s resignation offers the Catholic Church the chance to hit the “reset” button and find a new leader who’s ready to embrace those challenges. Selecting a modern-day pope could create a more vibrant future for the church.
Matt Henry
3 months, 1 week ago“Progressive” is my favorite misleading word in the entire English language.
Is there anything about Benedict’s tenure that suggested he was unwilling to “talk openly about religious values in modern times?” Seems like he talked a lot about them. You just didn’t much care for what he had to say. Therefore he was never really “talking openly.”
Classic.
JR Beillenhouser
3 months, 1 week agoRight is right and wrong is wrong. Time doesn’t change that. Take a good look at what is happening in the Episcopal Church, which will not exist in another several years. Why?
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/15/opinion/sunday/douthat-can-liberal-christianity-be-saved.html?_r=0
You on the editorial board (minus Thomas) are all secularists. Even those among you who have sent their kids to Catholic schools. Listening to you on how the Catholic church should change is about as useful as listening to your economic policies.
George Hunsucker
Northland
3 months, 1 week agoYup, we need a pope that says abortion is AOK….
Mark Hastert
3 months, 1 week agoModern times? They’re still working on the 20th century and thinking in the 16th.