The Blessings of Benedict XVI

The Holy Spirit in its wisdom has given us the reign of Benedict XVI to guide us through this difficult period in the Church's history. As usual, the Holy Spirit has demonstrated great wisdom, and the reign of Benedict XVI has brought many blessings for the future direction of the Church. Let me count some of the ways.

The previous Pope, John Paul II was by all accounts a rock star. His bigger than life image was known around the world and he was loved by many. Although he steered the Church in an unfortunate conservative direction, he had a commanding presence and no one doubted that he was in charge. It was almost as if the position of Pope had been created just for him.

No one, conservative or liberal would ever confuse Benedict XVI with a rock star. He has stumbled almost from the beginning. He initially described himself as a humble servant which is an appropriate role for a Pope. Yet he immediately began speaking harshly about the dangers of outdated issues such as modernism and relativism. In the beginning he appeared to reach out to both conservative and liberal wings of the Church, yet it seemed to be only conservatives who saw things move in their direction, though perhaps not as much as they would have liked.

Then, on his first trip to Germany he appeared completely befuddled when his academic treatise on Islam caused a huge stir. He seemed unable to comprehend how his words would stir up such a firestorm of criticism. A pattern quickly began to emerge which highlighted a certain ambivalence in his actions, and frankly, he showed himself to be a very human Pope. An early example was when he suggested to the bishops that maybe something should be done about making it possible for divorced Catholics to be more fully reconciled to the Church - maybe even considering the possibility of allowing them to return to the sacraments. When the conservative heirarchy created by the appointments of John Paul II showed no apparent interest in easing such restrictions he backed off. This new Pope was clearly not the same leader that was John Paul II.

He has continued to manifest a sense of contradiction in many of his actions. One of his more interesting moves has been his outreach to Anglicans to allow disaffected Anglicans to enter the Church as a separate ordinariate. On the one hand this manifests an exrtraordinaty step backward in ecumenism and public relations. It shows a continuing lack of sensitivity to pretty much everyone outside his small band of followers within the Church. Yet at the same time the ordinariate would provide this unique group of Anglicans with a trememndous amount of autonomy to operate according to their traditions within Roman Catholicism. Such a move, therefore, demonstrates that there is nothing sacred about the liturgy as it is currently celebrated. There is room for significant diversity. It also demonstrates that even celibacy can be optional under the right circumstances, opening the way for changes in that area.

The reintroduction of the old Latin or Tridentine Mass is also an example of the reality that different forms of worship can exist side by side. I have attended two Tridentine Requiem Masses for family friends recently, and it shows that it is not likely to replace the normal rite of today for the majority of folks. Many fairly conservative Catholics indicated to me that they would not want to go back to a service that cuts the people out of participation. But once again it shows that the two rites can coexist for those who prefer the traditional Mass - which is a good thing. It also illustrates that newer and more progressive rites are also possible since there can now be more than one way of worshipping within Roman Catholicism.

Primarily Benedict XVI has demonstrated all to well the humanness and fallibility of the papacy even if that may not have been his intent. He has fumbled as a leader in dealing with the sex abuse crisis in Ireland. Details now surfacing about what happened in Germany and Wisconsin show that even his own hands have not been completely clean. He serves as an enormously effective argument for moving away from a triumphalist, monarchical, authoritarian papacy. He and the current conservative heirarchy have highlighted how badly the Church's abuse of authority has eroded its ability to lead. Just recently he decided to refuse to accept the resignations of three Irish bishops following their part in the sexual abuse debacle in Ireland. He thereby confirmed,if there were any doubt remaining that it is business as usual at the Vatican and in the heirarchy over all. They will control the agenda and will remain non responsive to criticism from any quarter. They will continue to brook no dissent. The 'good old boys network' wiil prevail.

Some will point out that an infallible papacy does not preclude the kinds of weaknesses and failings highlighted here. Point well taken, but the point here is that too often the Church has operated as if it were above the law and can either not make a mistake or should never be brought to task if perchance it does make a mistake. That is why Benedict XVI serves as an important reminder of the qualilties that are desperately needed to build a better Church for the future. Those qualities must include genuine humility, a willingness to utilize all church resources from the lowliest parishoner to the the Chair of Peter itself, collegial exercise of authority, and a sincere ability to listen not only to Catholics but to all those of good will from other faiths and from no faith.

What kind of successor to Benedict XVI can we expect. I don't think it matters too much whether he be liberal or conservative. If he is bright, sensitive and able to understand the dynamics within the church he will find ways to move the church into the future. First on the agenda will be a change in the way the Church exercises authority. Lay persons will need to be consulted in all matters of importance. Bishops and pastors will not be appointed without meaningful input from the people involved. Transparency and accountability will be the order of the day. The ability to honestly admit mistakes and take meaningful steps to correct them utilizing all available resources will be critical. Admitting mistakes as they occur and not bringing up old mistakes from 400 years ago is what will be needed. The role of womern in the church needs to be dramatically enhanced, especially since they have been the glue that has held this Church together for so many centuries.

Thank you Benedict XVI for heading us in the right direction. Your obvious humanity has enabled you to be a blessing for all of us regardless of your intent.