A Fallible Papacy

A devout Catholic once told me that she considered Pope John Paul II to be a sacred person. Although I disagree with many of the things that John Paul did as Pope, it is somehow understandable that one might see him as a sacred person or perhaps even as an infallible one. He was a larger than life figure who projected an iconic image and was revered by much of the faithful. He always seemed to be in total control. He was charismatic and a public relations expert. He understood the implications of his statements and his actions. You might disagree with what he said, but it was always clear where he was coming from. It was a marvel to see how he connected with crowds of young and old people alike. The persona he created was clear to all and remained constant over time.

Fortunately, the current occupant of the Holy See is far less sure-footed. It is one of his most appealing qualities. He has made numerous mistakes since being elevated to the papacy. His latest misstep involves the lifting of an excommunication against a Bishop who continues to deny the Holocaust. Benedict however, has been an equal opportunity offender, including mostly unintended slights and insults to Muslims, Jews, and other Christian denominations. He seems to lack any real sensitivity as to the consequences of his actions, and would not likely be successful as a public relations expert. His actions can be confusing, appealing to conservatives one day and moderates or liberals the next. Clearly he is a man shaped by his environment: by the war, his life in Germany and his ties to Europe. As a cleric he demonstrates little understanding of women and how others may feel about the major issues facing the Church today. The image of Benedict XVI that comes through to me is a timid man who actually might want to make a few changes but feels constrained to uphold the status quo.

No one is likely to review the years of Benedict's papacy thus far and say this is an infallible person. Yes, I know, the Pope is not infallible, except when he makes statements "ex cathedra" on matters of faith and morals. The reality, however, is that the Church tends to operate as if it were infallible far more often than not. Catholics tend to feel that when the Pope says something it is infallible, and the Church tends to issue non infallible statements as if they expect them to be treated infallibly. Benedict's frailties remind us that none of us have the whole truth. When it comes to understanding divine mysteries all of us are groping in the dark. We do ourselves and the Church an injustice when we operate as if we have all the answers on every subject that arises. The more we recognize our limitations, the more likely we will be able to be Christ like Pastors and servants. The notion that we know everything is belied by Paul in Corinthians when he reminds us that all of us see only through a glass darkly at this time.

We often make a similar mistake in our understanding of Jesus. We know him to be God and Man, but often we have trouble with the human part. Yes, we know Jesus was tempted by the Devil in the stylized account of his temptations in the desert. Yet do we experience our own daily temptations to pride, jealousy, despair, etc, and think that Jesus experienced these same kinds of feelings in his own life? What does it mean that God became man if he didn't experience true human emotions? Jesus was God, so we assume he always knew what people were going to say before they said it. Did Jesus grow up already knowing everything before he had to learn it in school or from his parents? If he were having a test did he check in with his divine nature before he went into the test so he would know all the answers?

The point here is that Christianity is the religion of the incarnation, and that should highlight something special about our religion. God became Man in Jesus Christ and thus deigned to put himself on the level of the lowest of us humans. As Paul tells us in Phillipians 'being God, He did not believe that Godness was a thing to be clung to, but rather he emptied himself, taking on the form of a servant, and becoming like us in all things except sin.' We can connect with our God because he is truly one of us, and his humanity should never be eclipsed by an overemphasis on his divinity.

What is the meaning and value of religion in our world? Is it having a Church around to tell us everytime we make a mistake, and to punish us each time we fail to follow the straight and narrow path? Is religion rather most like Jesus, when it feeds the hungry, clothes the naked, heals the sick, comforts the dying and mourning, rejoices with those who are happy, and encourages those who are sad or filled with despair?

The Church indeed makes a mistake when it tries to portray itself as all knowing. When Benedict was first installed as Pope he spoke of his humility and how he too was a pilgrim searching for truth. Jesus tells us to be not afraid. If only the Church were brave enough to allow the Holy Spirit to lead it into the 21st century. Call for Vatican III and let the voices of the Church be heard from laity to Pope. Maybe what the Church needs now is not an infallible pope, but a fallible one. Maybe this Pope or the next, he or she, will see that.