Short commentaries on current events,culture and the human condition.

Thursday, April 21, 2005

Time to Say Arrivedecci

With the election of the ultra-conservative Cardinal Ratzinger as Pope, there is little hope that the Roman Catholic Church can grow into the 21st Century as a vital and pertinent institution. Since all the Cardinals but two were installed by the conservative Pope John Paul II, and any cardinals (electors) that Benedict XV! chooses will be likewise, this is now a semi-permanent condition.

The Roman Catholic Church is hopelessly out of date on social, sexual and gender issues and BXVI, without the charisma and good will generated by his predecessor (Polish, anti-communist, shot and lived, traveled everywhere) will hasten the decline of the Church, at least in the U.S. and Europe. He's eager for battle against modernity, but at best it will be a sad, rear-guard action which further alienates millions of Catholics, infuriates women of faith and vocation, and leaves the Church with fewer priests and far fewer parishioners.

What I think should happen, but seriously doubt will, is that the American Catholics should create a schism. The overwhelming majority of Americans disagree with Rome on an overwhelming number of issues. A startling 74% responded in a poll that they generally disagree with Rome on the social issues. I doubt if there's a more ridiculous situation in any other religion than that of tens of millions of American Catholics living their lives in contravention to the dictates of their supposed Church, in effect as "guilty" people.

American Catholics should, instead of whining and carping about it, just stand back and realize that they're modern people trapped (by family ties mostly) in a hopelessly inflexible, outmoded, old-celibate-men-dominated institution. Then they should write up their actual beliefs on birth control, abortion, euthenasia, stem-cell research, celibacy for priests, pre-marital sex, divorce, homosexuality, female priests, etc., add it on to the dogma that they generally agree with, and move into the 21st century. (Part of it also, I would think, should be getting rid of the silly costumes and hats, but that's for them to decide.) Let whatever priests, bishops and cardinals who are in agreement come along, and immediately begin training female priests. If they have the courage to do this, I believe that The New American Church, or whatever it is actually called, will flourish.

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