Pope Francis is in a bind despite his progressive leanings. The German Catholic Church is blessing same-sex relationships and homilies by women. The Holy See cannot ignore the upheaval in Germany.
Meanwhile, the Pope is fighting traditional doctrine and its conservative proponents while promoting his long-time interest in modernizing the papacy and the churches and parishioners it is supposed to serve.
He confronts the richest Catholic Church in the world in Germany. At the same time, the German Catholic Church has lost more than 522,000 parishioners. German Catholics are moving aggressively to implement progressive changes involving not only the blessing of same-sex marriages and a greater role for women in religious services, but also the possibility of married priests.
This observer applauds the German Catholic Church. I hope that Pope Francis can overcome opposition by conservative American bishops and oversee long-discussed changes that would breathe life into the staid Catholic Church.
At age 86 he’s running out of time and possibly the energy to confront his make-no-waves, hidebound opponents.
When Pope Francis became the first Jesuit to lead the Vatican, he embodied hope and optimism. Maybe a religious institution that considered change and modernization sacrilegious would become more inclusive. He seemed prepared to pepper the Papacy with formerly heretical ideas and concepts.
He talked about addressing poverty and climate change. He opined that God blessed all human beings regardless of their choice of lifestyle and gender. He suggested a substantive role for women in church liturgy.
His actions have not matched his words. Church conservatives viewed his calls for change with alarm. He seemed stymied. Inertia characterized the worldwide Catholic Church. Progress was minute.
Except, of course in Germany.
As Catholic leaders convene tomorrow for a summit comparable to the momentous Second Vatican Council in the 1960s, the future of a powerful but sclerotic religious institution hangs in the balance. It can move forward incrementally, or remain stuck in quicksand, encouraging renegade churches to proclaim their liberation from the Vatican.
I am rooting for an energetic Pope determined to leave a legacy of necessary change. After more than 10 years leading a polarized church, Francis must push and prod a church to bless all people and their partners, enable women to participate more fully in the sacristy and allow priest to marry.
So powerful with worldwide scope and influence, the Catholic Church can serve God in a way that provides access and comfort to gay couples, enables priests to marry and continue serving parishioners hungry for religious sustenance and allows women to participate in services and blessings.
Gallup data gathered in late March 2021 revealed that the Catholic Church had lost 18 percent of its population, while Protestant churches had experienced a nine percent drop in membership. I do not pretend to understand the reasons; empty churches represent to me a sad diminution of spiritual growth.
Avoidance of change by the Catholic Church, abandoned by hundreds of thousands, equates to adherence to the status quo. That leads to irrelevance.
Columnist Howard Freedlander retired in 2011 as Deputy State Treasurer of the State of Maryland. Previously, he was the executive officer of the Maryland National Guard. He also served as community editor for Chesapeake Publishing, lastly at the Queen Anne’s Record-Observer. After 44 years in Easton, Howard and his wife, Liz, moved in November 2020 to Annapolis, where they live with Toby, a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel who has no regal bearing, just a mellow, enticing disposition.
David LaMotte says
Wonderful article about progress, evolution toward Truth/Love, the power of fear and the power of Love, the struggles we all individually and collectively have in our understanding of Truth/Love. I applaud the author for this observation and making us aware of the current momentous conference of Catholic leaders.
Darrell parsons says
Thank you for highlighting this. I too mourn the empty churches, and more specifically the communities which for many of us have been nurtured by the church building as a gathering place. Imperfect communities, but communities, despite our failings, aiming for love, connection and equity.
Rachel Dock says
Sounds like you need to study the Catholic doctrine. You can’t bless people who are going to continue in mortal sin. Christ does love everyone but they must repent and sin no more as told to the woman at the well.
Why do you think so many Catholics are going back to the Latin Mass? They are wanting tradition and stability. Not constant confusion as well have now.
Charles Barranco says
Oh my, let’s not upset the apple cart. The Catholic Church has ruled by fear for over a thousand years. That is the foundation of the Church’s power. If you die with a mortal sin on your soul, you will go to hell. But let’s not forget the Get Out of Jail Card; Go to mass 8 first Fridays and you’ll get a chance to repent before death. As Ms Dock laments, You can’t bless people who are going to continuously live in Mortal sin.
So here again the Church has the trump card! It does become a little confusing when the Church changes rules in the middle of the game. For example, The Immaculate Conception is no longer a required belief. How about, If you are not Catholic, you can’t get into heaven. I won’t mention eating meat on Friday or if you don’t confess your sins and attend Church once a year, you’re excommunicated!
So, Good Luck Pope Francis, women as priests, Never, married priests, what if they want a divorce, Ops, that’s a sticky wicket, and same sex couples receiving the Sacraments and allowed on the alter; The foundations of the Church would crumble and turn to dust!
If, The Pope can change any of the above, it will be, A Miracle!