*[new] I'm a devout Catholic (4.00 / 1)
and as much as I like teacherken's analysis, I'm afraid that a theologian as steadfast as Ratzinger (Pope Benedict)will never waiver on abortion or gay marriage. He is very much a pre-Vatican II traditionalist. I get very frustrated sometimes that these issues are in the forefront, when poverty and worker's rights get ignored.I think the Holy Father has to focus on hope, since many of us are still heartbroken over the response to the clergy/sexual abuse crisis. Catholics need hope right now and some of us need the reminder that while our faith is one has been severely tested, it still revolves around the premise that Christ is our hope.
I just read a good deal of "Spe Salvi" - "In Hope we are Saved" - Benedict XVI's recent encyclical - and found not only the general theme, but some particular elements to be very, very, liberal.
Most astounding from a Pope who is stereotyped as old-fashioned or, as you say, "a pre-Vatican II traditionalist," he practically condones ATHEISM - writing "Atheism... is-in its origins and aims-a type of moralism: a protest against the injustices of the world and of world history. A world marked by so much injustice, innocent suffering, and cynicism of power "
The context of that quote, in my opinion, makes me appreciate his words even more - he says that hope - hope in the Second Coming, in the redeeming power of Jesus' sacrifice, etc. is essentially the only thing that keeps Christianity afloat - while Catholics are traditionally big fans of good deeds and love and all those other pretty things - I must strongly agree with the Pope on this!
A paper I'm writing now for a class on a subject not particularly ethical or philosophical - "The Apocalyptic Art of the Northern Renaissance" - has forced me (not morally, but literally) to examine my faith and the religion that I associate with - the Roman Catholic Church. I'm not only reading through many encyclicals but also delving deep into the Catechism. What I see when I read the official doctrine of the Church is an institution of morals and integrity.
Yes, there are those brief moments of condemning gay marriage and a whole lot on why abortion is bad - but can you really blame the Church? Standing against abortion is part of who they are, and it would actually be a less respected institution if it turned from such tenets. What matters though - is what is preached.
In the end it's low-level clergy and lay-people for the most part advocating the refusal of Communion to abortion-rights advocates, while Bishops release statements to the press publicly criticizing President Bush for the government's treatment of immigrants, and going so far as to call him a hypocrite (them's fightin' words if you ask me).
So, fellow Catholic, I suggest you start acting like the less desirable "leaders" who are members of our Church - the likes of Antonin Scalia, Rick Santorum, and Alberto Gonzales - not in their hypocricy (the first being pro-death penalty, the second being anti-immigrant, and the third being pro-torture - all positions strongly opposite to the Roman Catholic Church) - but in their insistence that the Church be active and strong in its morality - let us force our Church to be what it already yearns to be for the all who are mistreated by economies, war, and social injustice.