The Church, though perfect in her Godly endowments, is administered by limited human agents. In John Paul II, the Church enjoyed a formidable intellect, a tireless champion of Christ's mission in the world, and a stalwart defender of Catholic doctrine. Then there is His Eminence Philippe Xavier Christian Ignace Marie Cardinal Barbarin, archbishop of Lyon.
FRENCH CARDINAL CALLS FOR A POPE OPEN TO CHANGE
"He must be a man who knows and understands today's world and its culture, so the people understand and listen when he speaks up, as long he does not speak in stereotypes," said Barbarin, who at 54 is one of the youngest cardinals who will begin electing the next pope on April 18.He told AFP as he arrived in Rome that the next pope should touch the hearts of the people and not "repeat a doctrine (set) in reinforced concrete."
Just what does this remark mean? Is His Eminence suggesting that JP II did not touch the hearts of his flock? And just what reiteration of Catholic doctrine does His Eminence object to? Or is His Eminence merely objecting to the reinforced concrete -- not mere concrete, mind you, but reinforced concrete, apparently involving some sort of metaphoric steel cabling -- in which Catholic doctrine is set?
Perhaps His Eminence might more profitably spend his afternoons at the Aeroporto Fiumicino baggage claim reading up on Catholic doctrine instead of holding court for the press.
And, predictably, there is this:
Some French priests also want a reconciliation with society at large along the lines first propagated [as they retro-imagine them] by the 1965 Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, or Vatican II, which encouraged the Church to address modern issues such as the role of women, divorce, celibacy for priests, contraception and homosexuality at the forefront of debate.
Strangely, what this unidentified huddle of French priests wants appears identical with French national socialist policy. What these French priests want is for their humanist hobbyhorses to supplant what the Church has already pronounced exactingly on in each of these issues, such as here (Ordinatio Sacerdotalis), here, here, here (Familiaris Consortio), and here (Persona Humana). Our mystery priests, like His muddled Eminence Cardinal Barbarin, believe, hysteron proteron, that social mores inform the moral order entrusted to the Church.
[Emphases added.]
Maybe Barbarin wants to infuse the reinforced concrete of the Catholic Doctrine with some of that elegant French design featured on your site. Of course, the result will probably be an attractive Catholic Doctrine as vacant as those EU buildings.
Maybe what they really want is their own church. Although it would kill the French to admit learning a trick from the English.
Did you say "national socialist"? Now I'm confused. Is Barbarin, the French Anti-pope, the Nazi, or is Ratzinger?
SOAPAAM,
No need for confusion. National socialism is no more confined to Hitler & co. than fascism to Mussolini & co. We use it here to describe the French overweening nationalist mission that politically embroider an array of social gimmes and notions.
To be even distantly familiar with Pope Benedict XVI is to know he is no Nazi. What could have so confused you? Do you think everyone from Germany, forever and ever, is a Nazi?
DGB
I am not sure how you are using this article to inanely score anti-French points. The fact remains that the Vatican is an institution out of touch with much of modern society with its outdated policies on birth control, ecumenism, and a penchant for covering up sexual abuse scandals. For all the good things JP II did, he still cracked down on many modernizing forces within the church. I am a protestant and as such I despise the arrogant posturings of the Romish Church on social issues as well as their refusal refer to protestant churches as churches. I believe change is in order, sadly with Ratzinger it will be more of the same if not worse.
M. Justin,
Thank you for your certitudes. Silly us to think that the Catholic Church should not conform to your modernist predilections!
As a protestant how difficult to both confess yourself out of communion with the Church and then feel a sting that you have no standing in that same Church.
How are we using this article? Why much as it reads. But then you are not a careful reader and it's understandable that you missed the ball.
Thank you for dropping by to inanely pontificate on a Catholic Church to your liking. Strangely Catholics seem to like it as they find it.
DGB
