Pastor's Page:   Pope Benedict’s Global Perspective – Part 1

Pope Benedict XVI has had a difficult four years shifting his ministry job description from enforcer of global orthodoxy to chief pastor of the Catholic Church. As the head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF), and close confidant of Pope John Paul, Benedict was well informed of the challenges that our 1.1 billion member Church was facing in the twenty-first century. As Pope and shepherd of the people of God, he has an extremely challenging role as a unifier and reconciler in a highly complex world. What does Benedict view as the most pressing issues of our Church in this new millennium?

Human life and Human dignity - the sacredness of human beings fashioned by God in the divine image, were central to John Paul’s preaching and teaching and are being carried forward as a top priority by Benedict. For Benedict, moral relativism, a viewpoint that behavior can be determined by each person, has transplanted Judeo-Christian standards in the industrialized world. He has already attacked this philosophy’s widespread influence in Europe as a viewpoint contrary to biblical ethics and God’s law.

The Pope perceives moral relativism as very dangerous for society because it teaches that individual choice is paramount. Decisions are based on what is right for me. There is no right or wrong, no standards for behavior. The individual has the freedom to do as he or she wishes without regard for the consequences of those decisions on other people.
     
Ecumenism - Unity and reconciliation among all Christian believers. While we have well over a billion Catholics, there are an additional eight hundred million Christians not in union with the Pope and Catholicism. The scandal of this schism needs healing and Benedict will pursue reunification particularly with the separated churches of the East. Early in his papacy he met with Jewish and Muslim leaders. An academic by training, discipline and experience, Benedict has made some errors in pastoral judgment with Islam and Judaism. His latest visit to Israel, it is hoped, will create mutual understanding and harmony between world religions.

The Clergy Abuse Scandal - The Catholic Church in the U.S. has been seriously damaged by the priest sex abuse scandal. Repercussions are being felt in lawsuits, and church attendance and donations particularly in dioceses close to the Boston epicenter. Pope Benedict will need to keep close watch on our home situation, and he has already spoken out on the subject, but his global perspective will also give him other pressing priorities.
     
Hellish poverty in the southern hemisphere non-industrialized nations calls for reform of the world’s economic system. The bishops of Africa, Asia, and Latin America have concerns that have to do with life’s necessities; food, clothing, and shelter. AIDS/HIV is killing off the populations of African nations, along with tribal warfare and genocide. The arms trade with the south by the northern industrialized nations (including the United States) exacerbates their conflicts and the drug trade with modern weapons of destruction.

Peace, Father Bruce                        (next week – Global Perspective Part 2)