Will Pope’s Resignation Bring “Rapid Changes”?
In an unexpected announcement today, Pope Benedict XVI released his letter of resignation, citing both his own “advanced age” and the challenges of “today’s world” as factors in his decision:
However, in today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me.
Growing societal acceptance of same-sex marriage is undoutedly one of the “rapid changes” that concerns Pope Benedict. In December 2012, the Pope made this issue a central focus of his annual Christmas address, which named gay adoptions as an “attack” on traditional family models. Earlier in the same week, Pope Benedict used his annual peace address to call gay marriage one of the main threats to world peace.
In light of today’s annoucement, the Pope’s final Christmas message could pave the way for the continuation of conservative theology in the Catholic Church.
Though some anticipate a geographical shift to Latin America or Africa in the next papal appointment, there is no indication that a more progressive Pope might fill the position. Pope Benedict’s successor will be chosen by the College of Cardinals, a group Pope Benedict filled with “kindred spirits” during his papacy.
One American possibility, Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York, has distinguished himself as a “close ally of the Pope Benedict.” He outlined his position on same-sex marriage in a September 2011 letter to President Obama, which warned: “The administration’s failure to change course on [same-sex marriage] will…precipitate a national conflict between church and state of enormous proportions and to the detriment of both institutions.”
Equally Blessed, a coalition of faithful Catholics committed to full equality for LGBT people in the church and civil society, released this prayer for this transition:
With the pope’s impending resignation, the church has an opportunity to turn away from his oppressive policies toward lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Catholics, and their families and friends, and develop a new understanding of the ways in which God is at work in the lives of faithful and loving people regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity….We pray for a pope who is willing to listen to and learn from all of God’s people. We pray for a pope who will realize that in promoting discrimination against LGBT people, the church inflicts pain on marginalized people, alienates the faithful and lends moral credibility to reactionary political movements across the globe.
Immigration reform in the United States is one issue that requires such “new understanding.” Catholic leaders, who cite moral arguments for family unity and stability in their call for immigration reform, stand firm in their refusal to support Obama’s inclusion of same-sex families. This discrepancy may cause trouble for the Catholic Church, which stands to lose credibility if their definition of “family values” does not extend to protect the same-sex, binational families that are equally threatened by deportation.
The immigration debate is just one example of the way traditional, Catholic values are challenged by “rapid changes” in our society. However, this issue also points to the potential for common ground. Expanding a Catholic understandig of “family values” to recognize the love and commitment between same-sex couples is not the same as abandoning these principles.
At their best, changing societal norms challenge Catholics to idenitify the root of their traditional, family values.
Catholics across the world can only hope that such introspection will lead the church to embrace love as it appears in many, unexpected forms throughout the “fullness and diversity of Creation.”
Image via flickr: Catholic Church (England and Wales)