Forward, backward or stuck in neutral?
Unless you've been exercising a long-term lease on a condo under a rock, you couldn't escape the fact that the world's Catholics have a new pope.
(Let me state here; I am not now, or ever have been, a member of the Catholic faith, but I feel this is something that affects nearly everyone regardless of their religious slant)
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, 78, was chosen by his peers to be the 265th pontiff for the Catholic Church and took the name Benedict XVI. He was one of Pope John Paul II's closest aides and a guardian of church doctrine for 25 years. He is also the oldest pope to be elected in nearly three centuries, leading many to believe he is a transitional pope after the 26-year reign of John Paul II.
He has been described by the Italian press as the "panzer cardinal" and "God's Rottweiler" and has stated he will brook no dissent on the issues that are the hottest in the world, not just the Catholic Church.
And this is the problem.
HIV and AIDS are killing millions all around the world, yet the Catholic Church still says birth control (including condoms, the best defense against HIV/AIDS) is a big no-no. Many Catholics disagree with the church's stand on women priests, priestly celibacy and homosexuality, yet the new pope seems to be a rock against changing any of these stands in the church as large.
The Catholic Church needs to come into the 21th Century. Holding on to these views when so many, inside and outside the church, disagree with them, is not going to do that. Not moving forward may lead to the biggest schism in the church ever.
I wish the new pope a long-life and good health, but feel that the Catholic religion will not move forward without discussion on these issues. Pope Benedict XVI has said he will not do so and that gives me scant hope for the future.
later,
phoenix
(Let me state here; I am not now, or ever have been, a member of the Catholic faith, but I feel this is something that affects nearly everyone regardless of their religious slant)
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, 78, was chosen by his peers to be the 265th pontiff for the Catholic Church and took the name Benedict XVI. He was one of Pope John Paul II's closest aides and a guardian of church doctrine for 25 years. He is also the oldest pope to be elected in nearly three centuries, leading many to believe he is a transitional pope after the 26-year reign of John Paul II.
He has been described by the Italian press as the "panzer cardinal" and "God's Rottweiler" and has stated he will brook no dissent on the issues that are the hottest in the world, not just the Catholic Church.
And this is the problem.
HIV and AIDS are killing millions all around the world, yet the Catholic Church still says birth control (including condoms, the best defense against HIV/AIDS) is a big no-no. Many Catholics disagree with the church's stand on women priests, priestly celibacy and homosexuality, yet the new pope seems to be a rock against changing any of these stands in the church as large.
The Catholic Church needs to come into the 21th Century. Holding on to these views when so many, inside and outside the church, disagree with them, is not going to do that. Not moving forward may lead to the biggest schism in the church ever.
I wish the new pope a long-life and good health, but feel that the Catholic religion will not move forward without discussion on these issues. Pope Benedict XVI has said he will not do so and that gives me scant hope for the future.
later,
phoenix