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August 19, 2005
Jews and Muslims and Secularists - Oh My
I'm confused. Aside from rallying the troops at the Catholic Church's World Youth Day, exactly what does Pope Benedict envision for Germany and Europe after he leaves? My confusion was aroused after reading an Associated Press article on his visit to Germany. Here are a few passages.
. . . his message was the same [the same as the previous Pope's] as he sought to revive an often flagging faith and stress the Christian heritage of a Europe that has become increasingly one of empty churches, liberal abortion laws and gay marriage."[snip]
"While the trip was built around the Church's World Youth Day and Benedict's efforts to counter secularism in Europe, he also intended to reach out to Jews, Muslims and other Christians.
"These meetings are important steps along the journey of dialogue and cooperation in our shared commitment to building a more just and fraternal future which is truly more human," Benedict said.
The Pope wants to counter what he believes to be something wrong with secularism in Europe. I think European secularism is just fine as far as it goes. But I am not the Pope. In addition, the Pope wants to reach out to non-Catholics and even non-Christians. He wants to build a "more just and fraternal future." Apparently, he even wants to "reach out" to the secularists.
"I also greet with affection those among you who have not been baptized or who have not found a home in the church," he said upon arriving, urging them to "open wide your hearts to God."
Here is my confession. I am confused about the meaning of "to reach out" and the "more just and fraternal future." In the case of Jews and Muslims does he want to be totally reconciled with them and express grief for the history of the Churche's murderous relationship to these groups or does he want to convert them to the one true faith? I see an ambiguity in his message. You'll see why a little later.
Would he be happy if the secularists became devout Jews or Muslims? Is he OK with those spiritual folks of any religion who welcome gays into the family of humans or that believe as part of their faith that having or not having an abortion is a women's choice? Are these non-secular people more or less in need of his ministry than secular people who are also gay bashers? Are the religious people who lie about condom use more acceptable than the secularists who tell the truth?
The Pope can't be too clear on this these questions for a whole raft of reasons, none of which, as far as I can tell, are very good. If he tells us what he really thinks he will further alienate various parts of his own Church to say nothing about how those he is "reaching out to" will react.
Perhaps I should not be too confused, because of the report of the Pope's remarks when he arrived in Cologne,
He made three references in his speeches to Edith Stein, the Jewish convert to Catholicism who entered a Carmelite convent in Cologne and was later killed at Auschwitz. Stein was canonized by John Paul.
A Jew, who becomes a Catholic Saint and who is killed by what I'm sure he thinks of as secularists.
I guess he wants everyone to convert to Roman Catholicism. That would certainly insure a "more just and fraternal future." Pope Benedict and I do share a small area of contact. I think everyone should become a secularist. The outcome as far as that "just and fraternal future" is concerned would be much the same and there would be a whole lot less delusion and, in my view, a heightened level of morality.
Posted by Duane Smith at August 19, 2005 7:00 PM | Read more on Religion |
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