papal musings
I was raised Catholic. Now, I am a lapsed Catholic. But I am still Catholic - what does that mean? I can't pray without crossing myself, I have trouble saying any grace at dinner other than "Blessed Oh Lord . . ." I love the ritual. Most of the teachings, I like. I love the fact that "catholic" means universal.
But "Catholic" is no longer universal, particularly with today's developments. A rigid, orthodox church is NOT universal; a church that does not allow dissent is not universal (e.g. a Catholic professer getting removed from Catholic U for teaching about stuff that conflicts with church doctrine). A church that does not (and WILL not - at least not in this pope's reign) allow more than a small section (unmarried, MALE) of its population preach its word is not universal. A church that declares its faith as THE ONE TRUE faith - can that really be "universal"?
I disagreed with a lot of JPII's ideas. But he was a good man, dedicated to his God, and tried to reach out to the rest of the world. Will Benedict XVI be the same? Is he strictly conservative, or will he become more moderate? And why do I care?
I don't really like the President or agree with the way this country's going. But that doesn't make me any less American. Does not liking this new pope make me less Catholic? The thing is, with America, you're SUPPOSSED to dissent if you disagree. Is it the same with Catholicism? I feel like I disagree with A LOT about the Catholic church - does that make me not Catholic? Or will I, as my Aunt Bam once said, "always be a Catholic, no matter what I believe." Do I stay or do I go? Something I need to figure out.
I care about the Catholic Church, even though I consider myself a "lapsed" Catholic. I don't think it's the ONE TRUE FAITH, but I believe it is ONE of the "true faiths". It's got an amazing history, and has a strong reach. I've learned more about Catholicism and my own sense of spirituality since being at BC. So I worry that this new pope will polarize the Church to the point of near extinction. He has said he wants a "smaller, truer Church." Will he get his wish? Will so many people leave? Where will they go?
Perhaps this is the start of another schism in the Church. I was reading in someone else's post about the prediction of Malachy that this pope would be the "second to last pope" - that perhaps he is the last pope before Armageddon. What if that's true? Not that the End Of Days is around the corner, but what if this is the end of Catholicism? or the Catholic Church as we know it? Will there now be a "Roman Orthodox Church" and a "Modern Catholic Church" two separate churches of the same faith, much like early Protestantism?
OR . . .maybe it won't be bad as it seems. He is suppossed to be a "transitional" pope - if he does polarize the Church, perhaps there will be a reaction against that to make some more progressive changes.
We'll just have to wait and see. . .
Any thoughts/comments/answers would be greatly appreciated.