Spilled milk. Let’s move forward

People have praised or criticised Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, for his theological or moral positions. Conservatives have hailed him as “orthodox”. For most liberals he was considered “controversial”. That is all now spilled milk. Forward.

Each culture, country and continent wish the pope to come closer to (their) home.

Sociologists in six countries collaborated to learn what the laity would like to see during the reign of Pope Benedict XVI. The participating countries were Ireland, Italy, Poland, Spain, Germany and the United States of America. 4278 people were asked to set an agenda for the new pope.

Seven questions were asked, addressing concerns with the institutional form of the Catholic Church. Would the respondents like the next pope to give more autonomy to the local bishops; show more concern about the life of ordinary lay people; permit more change in the Church; appoint lay advisers; return to the practice of local election of bishops; ordain women, and allow priests to marry?

The majority of the respondents, with the exception of Poland, want the Church to change. They contend that the Catholic Church must reflect the democratic culture of today. Only 24% of Polish Catholics want the ordination of women. The European and North American Church has had their voice heard.

There is also some concern and fear expressed by Catholics in the developing world that Pope Benedict might prioritise Europe to the detriment of nations with crucial and urgent needs. Under John Paul II we saw the Vatican more concerned with fighting Communist rule in Eastern Europe and suppressing the South American liberation theology as “Marxist”. The late pontiff as a patriot of Poland naturally felt more passionate to fight the problems brought by communism and atheism.

Veteran journalist Ian Boyne wrote about Pope Benedict’s election: “This pope is not just the pope from Europe, but the pope for Europe. He will be the one who will make the most concerted attempt to re-Christianise Europe, to pull it away from secular humanism and back to its Christian roots.” Boyne also felt that “the largely European cardinals were convinced that a European pope and a particular type of European pope should be chosen to deal with problems at home”.

The growing Church in Africa, Asia and Latin America has its own needs which are mostly basic and urgent. The challenges facing these continents are life-threatening: globalisation, cultural imperialism, racism, sexism, poverty, Aids, economic injustice, political dictatorship, military threats, international debt, and so on.

When leaders such as Archbishop Desmond Tutu called for an African pope, it was not only because of colour or African patriotism. An African (or Asian or Latin) leader, the logic goes, would be more sensitive to the needs of people struggling to attain human dignity.

Africa is still struggling to rid itself of maladies created by (European) colonialism and imperialism. For decades Africa was caught in the crossfire by bullets of the Cold War.

Sub-Saharan Africa is under the threat of Aids. The Church should reflect about new ways of fighting this fatal disease, which if not dealt with holistically, may destroy families and villages.

The process of inculturation, which was encouraged by John Paul II, must be continued and implemented. Africans must feel and experience the Church, not as a European institution, but as a home where people live as family. The local Church, which is modelled from medieval Europe, is still characterised by hierarchy, patriarchy as opposed to the vision of Church as Family.

Pope John Paul had the intention to convoke a second Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops. The process leading to this synod may help the Church to urgently implement what was agreed in the inaugural synod which resulted in Ecclesia in Africa.

As we wish the Successor of Peter God’s continued blessing, we pray that the ordinary people of Africa and the African Synod will be in his mind, heart and soul.

If Europe is calling for democracy, while Africa is praying for dignity, a middle ground (or a mixture) could be found which will benefit both.