Benedict XVI at St. Patrick's Cathedral

For me, the most touching moment of Pope Benedict XVI's recent visit to the United States came at St Patrick's Cathedral. After being congratulated on the occasion of his third anniversary as Pope, he turned to the assembled group of priests and religious. In his own words, without a written script, and in a language not his own, he haltingly said something like this - I am sorry that I am not a better person, that I am a sinner, that I am not a better pope. But Peter was also a sinner, and Jesus chose him to lead his Church, so he can use even me to serve his Church as the successor of Peter. Those are not quotes, but I believe they do reflect the sincere and genuine message he was trying to convey.

It is ironic, I suppose, that after years of strong disagreement with the direction the Church has taken, I should be thinking and saying nice things about Benedict at the very time I decide to put pen to paper and write about my ideas for the future of the Church. Yet I cannot but be moved by the Pope bringing a message of Christianity as hope and joy to our country. His failure to condemn every person or activity not in conformity to rigid orthodoxy suggests that he "gets it". The Curch is a community of pilgrim people and their hopes, joys. sorrows, and aspirations. It is not about looking for every chance to condemn anyone who steps out of line, and it is not about blind adherence to a narrow point of view.

Despite these positive dimensions, or perhaps because of them it is important to note that dissent is also a critical part of loyalty. I believe we can and must in a respectful manner, as Benedict has shown us, make our case, and perhaps he will listen. For today, I would comment only on his frequent return to the issue of truth. I don't object to his insistence on the existence of abosolute truth. I believe we see that in his emphasis on human rights and even his reference to our own country founded on the inalienable rights of all human beings. I simply point out that he takes the notion of truth too far. The very concept of religious liberty which he seems particularly enamored of when speaking of Islam, implies, no requires, the recognition that everyone does not share the same truth in all matters, even important ones. Furthermore, I believe it is our responsiblility to do all that we can to learn aspects of the truth from everyone, as there is much we can be taught even from those who disagree with us.