Although I can't descibe myself as a practicing Catholic, I've been really intrigued by the papal selection process. In a time of war and terrorism, numerous controversies within the Catholic Church and social conflicts everywhere, this new pope will possess so much power in the direction of the world.
Having experienced 12 years of Catholic School, and having gone through 5 of the seven Holy Sacraments (I was accidentally annointed once), I lost my faith in Catholicism sometime in high school. I found that this was a religion that was led by hypocrites and that was unwilling to keep up with the changes in the world and its people. As I was growing, it refused to grow with me.
I believe that there are many who feel this way -- that the spiritual structure around which they were brought up no longer included them, as we began to question Catholicism's conservative stand on issues such as the role of women in the Church, homosexuality, abortion, contraception, divorce, etc. The perceived contradictions of the organization added insult and brought about more questions. How can this faith have such an extreme discrepancy between its wealthy leaders and impoverished disciples? How can this faith that favors sexual repression and denounces homosexuality include widespread sexual abuse of young males? How can this faith that denounces homosexuality constantly refer to the same passage in its Bible that states a man should not lie with another man, but fail to see that its Bible also states that its people should live without judgement?
I understand that such concern for these social issues is a luxury; Catholics in third world countries pray for attention to issues such as poverty and hunger.
Pope John Paul II's death served as an obvious opportunity to deal with these issues. While he accomplished much as the pontiff of 26 years, and opened some doors for change in the Church, he needed a successor to tackle these issues more aggressively.
This morning, I was watching
Today on NBC as the special report interrupted the program shortly after 9:00. The reporter could not tell if the smoke had become white, signifying a successful election of a new pope. I waited in suspense for a few more minutes, and then the bells rang. They had elected a new pope, and tons of people were flocking to St. Peter's square. More suspense, more cheering at the moving curtain on the balcony. Then the moment arrived. The Senior Deacon of Cardinals appeared, welcomed the crowd in different languages, then announced that Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany was elected and named himself Benedict XVI. The reporter was quiet and seemed disappointed, then in a monotone, unexcited voice, repeated the announcement.
Having followed much of the speculation in past weeks about the potential papal successors, I knew that Ratzinger would be confident in the role, and was experienced, very educated and scholarly. I also knew that he represented strict, ultra-conservative views regarding the Catholic doctrine. Furthermore, he would not possess the same humanistic charm of his predecessor.
Needless to say, I was disappointed by the selection (not angry and embittered, like after the U.S. presidential election of last November). I had a secret spark of hope that Catholicism would change for the better, but it seems that the selection of this pope represents a few steps backward for the Catholic Church. I hope he proves me wrong.
