Earlier this week the Papal conclave elected Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany as the next Pope. Cardinal Ratzinger who now goes by the name of Pope Benedict XVI is a known conservative amongst the candidates who were in consideration for the position. While its expected that the Roman Catholic Church would have mostly conservatives in its midst, this particular selection stands out among the rest for his steadfast beliefs in all the major issues facing the Church and refusing to take the step into the new millennium.
Quoting an article from NY Times, Q|In a document issued in 2000, "Dominus Jesus," the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith that Cardinal Ratzinger headed said the Catholic Church was the only true path to salvation and called other faiths "gravely deficient."|Q. Now I am a moderate who believes that everyone is entitled to their religion and beliefs. I think each one of us has our own vision of God and path to Heaven. But for the new leader of 1.1 billion Catholics of the world to have such an opinion makes it a big problem. In an era of religious disputes and faith based problems, do we need one more ?. Shouldnt we be progressing towards a world where religion is what is in one's heart and nothing else?.
In addition, toeing a conservative line even by Church standards, the new Pope is against women in Church, for celibate priests in the Church, against abortion and birth control and definitely against homosexuality. Given all this, I am not sure how the Pope would succeed in mending fences that are tattered all over the globe. From a human perspective, don't we need a open minded healer of differences much more than a divider ?
11 comments:
Look at the brighter side, LB. He's 78. The cardinals are rumoured to've wished each other 'see you soon' when they left Sistine Chapel.
Digression (please tell me if you don't want me making unrelated comments here). My story was not intended to make one seem guilty and the other a martyr. These are mere observations written with no judgement attached. The inference is for you to make. Please, please let me not add to your guilt. I'd hate that. Honest.
True. The 78 factor is the silver lining in the dark cloud.
And I dont have any problems with you responding to my comments in your blog here. Wherever your comfortable, works for me. Coming to your response, you just gave flavor to a long simmering guilt. If not you, someone else. Doesnt matter. Its all the same.
I don't know whom they are trying to cheat by their policies and weird beliefs. This kind of mentality, that Christianity is the only path to salvation, is nothing but fundamentalism. Don't know when these guys are going to be more understanding. till then, expect more division.
About the 78 thing, I doubt if the next pope would be a liberal. I don't have any high hopes of the Roman Catholic Church.
Jagan
I havent heard the myth. That definitely is interesting. Any source you have for me to read about it ?
And I dont expect a 78 year old man to be open and all. I expect him to be willing to change. Thats all.
Saran
I am expecting more division soon. And I dont blame it in general on the religion. Its one mans personal principles that can and will control those of 1.1 billion that is scary.
LB, I hate to say this - but it so happens that I consider myself least opinionated (my tag line says - where I sit is where I stand ;) ) - but most posts that I read here pushes me to a hardened position which have mostly been on the other side of the spectrum. The ones in which I agree with you - I dont comment on em.
As for the pope - I am not for / against divisiveness. But a man of this particular faith - the philosophy of which is rooted in evangelism - cant say anything else. The idea of a pious catholic to go to a jewish temple and praying is a statement of blasphemy and thats what Pope John Paul II did (He visited a jewish temple.. am not sure if he prayed there).
The pope is not for mending fences. Hes there to lead the evangelistic society. Hes here to talk about heavenly things not of those of the earth. (That was Jesus's saying to his disciples - I am assuming the church has assumed that responsibility).
I feel that the way today's world is structured, ideas from the top cannot just become a blind rule. Revolution bubbles to the surface, coming from people upward to its leader. It's not right to pass judgement before he has performed anything or to quote his past. Let's see what he does from here on. Pope John Paul II had used his influence to spread peace and calm.
Aside: Katie Couric's interview with benedictXVI domain owner [Direct Video Link].
The Pope will be consevative and rigid.But I think if people's outlook is modern they wont bother about him.Am most afraid about the U.S.I hope you guys remeber how Mr.President won his elections.
Jagan
Very interesting link. Lets see if it comes true.
Pradeep
Let me make the statement here that if ever I am pleasantly disproved by the Pope's actions, I shall publicly admit that I jumped to conclusions way too early in the game. I am hoping that I get to do the apology.
Badri
America is not composed of too many Catholics and hence there will be a muted reaction when compared to Europe and Asia where Christianity is predominantly Roman Catholic.
Harish
I am glad you disagree with me occasionally. It only makes things more debated and discussed. I dont expect the Pope to visit temples and dargahs and what not. I dont expect him to mend all the broken fences. But I do expect him to be a leader with a foresight of how and where the world is heading and ensure that the Church doesnt get lost in the wayside.
As the leader of a big community, he has the responsiblity to act not jus in his own stead but also taking into congnizance what the community really needs today. The world needs people who understand circumstances and inter-religious dynamics better. And that alone with help. Not anything else.
And for the record, I do believe that there is an alternate way to Heaven, sans the Catholic Church. Actually there are an infinite different ways to go to Heaven without needing a bit from the Catholic Church. And it all is the same thing. Be a good person. And there is your ticket to Heaven.
In 1939, If I was Gandhi's neighbor, would I insist on him settling my dispute with my wife?? He could and just myte! But, wouldnt it be better if he's left for bigger things. Just as a nation's future was in the hands of Gandhi - the Pope is the path to heaven for multitudes of catholics and he's not to be bogged down in earthly things.
Religion itself (any and all religions) provides for such things. Has any politician in India ever talked in favor of the few women who almost every try to climb the Sabari Malai?? (Politician coz theres no Hindu Pope to talk about it). I personally found it offensive for women to raise an unholy cry about such a "godly" thing. May be, I am one of them too.
Homosexuality is a sin acc to any religion. coz homosexuality translates into 2 people indulging in sex purely for the sake of pleasure (the Normal thing is meant to be for breeding rather than pleasure). Any "moral" society is bound to reject such a behavior. Birth control, again means sex for pleasure.
I dont think doctrines of the church are meant to discriminate. These are meant to have a society to be within some moral framework. The line of morality varies for you and me. For me, it includes not killing another animal. Some define that one out to just exclude all animals but homo sapiens.
I am by no means a right wing conservative. I call myself a proud liberal - not the one who screams in support of homosexuals or abortion. I am one who can agree that the other person has a right to oppose those even though I dont.
I have too many thoughts running concurrently and thus this incoherent rambling. hope you can make sense.
Harish
I guess you would have posted on this yourself if you had the chance. Maybe you should, given how much you have written here. That said, I repeat, I am not expecting a Pope who does revolutionary things like accepting homosexuals into the fold and allow for birth control. I am expecting a Pope who facilitates a good dialogue towards understanding what works and what doesnt. Antiquated ideas dont have a place in a society where people are breaking away from religion everyday. What is needed is a way of life that makes people come back to it.
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