Catholic Church faces shifting landscape as it ponders new pope
Tourists arrive on Saint Peter's Square on September 19, 2012 before Pope Benedict XVI's weekly general audience in the Paul VI hall at the Vatican. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images) /GABRIEL BOUYS
The surprise resignation of Pope Benedict XVI comes as the Catholic Church grapples with demographic changes and social forces that have profound implications for the church's identity - changes that will weigh heavily on the church's leadership as it selects its new leader.
In 1910, two thirds of the world's Catholics were in Europe. Today that figure is just 24 percent. "There's been such dramatic growth in places like Asia and Latin America and Africa," said Alan Cooperman, associate director for research at the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life. Nearly 40 percent of the world's roughly 1.1 billion Catholics now live in Latin America; another 16 percent live in sub-Saharan Africa, 12 percent in the Asia Pacific region, and 8 percent live in North America. (Catholics make up about 16 percent of the global population.)
At first glance, the Catholic Church appears to be healthy in the United States: According to data from the National Opinion Research Center, the percentage of Americans who consider themselves Catholic has held steady since 1972 at around 25.5 percent. But that finding masks the fact that many Americans have left the faith, as part of what appears to be a growing movement away from organized religion. In a broad 2007 survey, Pew found that "one-third of the survey respondents who say they were raised Catholic no longer describe themselves as Catholic." (Cooperman notes that roughly one in 10 Americas identify as former Catholics.) One major reason that the Catholic population in America has held steady is that the nation's Latino population has exploded, and 58 percent of Latinos identify as Catholic. By some estimates, 80 percent of the America Catholic population will be Latino by 2050, according to Baylor University history professor Philip Jenkins, who studies global Christianity.
The diverging fortunes of the church can be seen in countless ways. The sexual abuse scandals that cast a shadow over the church in the United States and Europe have not exploded in the same way in other regions. While the church struggles to recruit priests in America, people are entering the priesthood in large numbers in Africa; "the biggest problem is knowing what to do with all these priests," said Jenkins. And while the church has been criticized in the West for its stance on gay rights and women's health, it has not faced the same criticisms in much of the rest of the world.
Thomas Groome, chair of the department of religious education and pastoral ministry at Boston College, expressed hope that the church would not give up on the United States and Europe even as it "rejoices in the great growth of the church in the southern hemisphere."
"The southern hemisphere is culturally a different place, and it's a more traditional culture, but let's hope [the church] can make its way in a postmodern culture," said Groome.
There's no denying a move away from organized religion among young Americans. According to the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, one in three American adults under 30 say they have no religious affiliation. (One in five adults overall consider themselves unaffiliated.) Many of these Americans say they believe in God, but they do not feel a connection to a particular church hierarchy.
The cardinals who will select the new pope maintain they are guided entirely by the Holy Spirit. But they are well aware of these realities. There have been calls for the church to acknowledge its demographic shift and select a new pope from Latin America, Asia or Africa - Ghana's Peter Turkson and Nigeria's Francis Arinze have already been the subject of speculation. On the flip side, the cardinals could choose a European or even an American who could potentially help boost Catholicism in the parts of the world where it seems to be losing ground.
"I'm hoping for a new springtime for the church," said Groome. He said that the new pope could potentially win back support in Europe and America by establishing a commission to consider the ordination of women priests or by softening the church's stance on homosexuality and contraception.
"I think then you get people sitting up and saying there's life in us, there's still hope in us," he said.
Father C. John McCloskey III, a Research Fellow of the Faith and Reason Institute, strongly discounted that possibility, saying, "there is no such thing as progressiveness in the church."
"It comes down to the cardinals who are going to be in that conclave," continued McCloskey. "That conclave is going to be made up 100 percent of cardinals who were named by either John Paul II or Pope Benedict XVI. Every one of them on issues that are important are going to be with the teachings of the church."
McCloskey said that the Vatican should not look to shift with public opinion, even if it means Catholicism continues to lose adherents in Europe and America.
"No one wants to lose people, but you can't keep people at the expense of betraying your beliefs or principles," he said. "That's not going to happen."
Kean University professor Christopher Belitto, an expert on Catholicism, said that the cardinals will decide on the new pope "based on what leader can push the church into the 21st century." He said that it is only a matter of time before they look beyond the borders of Europe.
"Certainly if not this pope, the next pope is going to be from Africa, Asia and Latin America. That's where the energy of the church is," he said. "It's an inevitability."
Atheists who scorn believers would do well to remember that absence of proof that God exists, does not mean proof of absence. In fact, believers could argue that the universe and the miracle that is our planet is proof that God is sitting up there!
The jury might still be out, on the issue, either way. But assuming that God's a man-made fiction, what's so terrible about such values as peace, brotherhood, love, and charity (among others)that ALL religions promote? Agreed, there are black sheep among the clergy who have broken their vows, abused their authority, and engaged in dozens of other crimes and misdemeanors. They should be punished, and those protecting them should be made answerable as well. But this does not make them more sinful or hypocritical than the rest of us, nor justify the dismantling of the churches they belong to.
Democracy is a great idea, but it hasn't always produced great leaders. Many have proved as corrupt as the dictators they claim to oppose and as lubricious as pederast priests. Should we decry the democratic ideal and revert to socialism, or even outright dictatorship?
The church will endure, despite the frustrated ravings of atheists who can't bear the fact that believers have something to believe in, whereas, by their own admission, they have nothing.
The self righteousness on this page astounds. and I mean the anti religious people. And the one's who claim to say let those who choose to be religious and believe how they want but with a heavy dose of indignation. Those of you who think that religious people believe in God and a religion that defends it and upholds its belief system are living in the dark ages, are uneducated and are protecting some myth have to look back in history. Christianity started by the ministry of one man christians believe that one man to be God encarnate. Why? They were everyday Jews living fair lives and this man who claimed to be the son of god asked them to leave all their worldly things and families and follow him. Thousands came to see him and be healed and to hear him speak. Was it a myth to them? Thats all well and good and the story should have more than likely ended there when he was crucified, but it didnt. And it wasnt like if you followed the teachings of Jesus there was no consequences. You died! you did this in hiding. And your main commandment was to love the other as you loved yourself. Funny how you had to hide and be killed becasue you wanted to follow an ideology that is rooted in the love for the other.So it was not easy to start this movement and keep it going. they were not crazy people but people from every walk of life. From Pharisee (the most educated)- the apostle Paul to peasants followed with conviction and sacrifice - why? because they were crazy? i dont think so. this religion contrary to popular culture. Was the reason for the end of the Middle ages where god like dictators enslaved people for their own gain and profit. Was the start of the ultimate humanism movement. What is more enpowering than a doctrine that proclaims that the creator of all that is intelligible became Human not because he hated us or wanted to admonish us but because he loved us so much he wanted to feel what we feel and give his life for our salvation. There isnt a man on earth that wouldnt give his own life for his own son. There isn't a feminist movement in the world that puts the value of a woman higher than the church . The church honors woman as the arc of the covenant. the holiest of holies the incubator a nourisher of life which is love itself incarnate. MAry gave birth to God and is now regarded as the worlds heavenly mother. It is precisely because of the church that woman were now honored with a sacramental covenant (a contract to a higher power) of lifelong marriage, nolonger viewed as property, now a union made as one. The church educated the populous and the university system in which we now use to systematically dismantle and attack the church was started by the church. The church feeds more people educates and cares for more people than any institution in the world. We do this because of the love of the Father for his Son Who willingly accepted his Fathers Cup and the love of the other. But because we keep to the word of Jesus and do not allow for the popular thread of thinking to alter that Word we are Middle Ages Dummies. Want to stop over population increase your honor of women, want to decrease poverty, feed the poor and sacrifice yourself. want equality think of God first everyone else second then yourself. Dont want to belive in the church or God thats fine too. We love you as well. want to stifle our belief, do it politically and socially even psychologically but the heart will never give up the truth of everlasting love. i know you will pick this apart as you all do. point to some hypocrisies and carve out factoids to bolster your argument against religion - thats fine. Your only doing that to feed your self serving epiphany of your world view. Remember you think you are God so of course your right. You have Science to prove there is no God. But remember Science is a tool to show us the laws of the physical world. WE only know a very small percentage of what is knowable. So if there is Laws that govern everything Why would it NOT be true of the spiritual world ? there are laws there as well. And if we were not created in the likeness of the creator then how are we able to know the intelligibility of the universe in which we are a part of. Are we as christians hypocrates at times are wrong at times are we self righteous. OF COURSE we are because we are human, flawed and weak, but through our weakness we find great strength. And because we are flawed does not mean that the truths and intelligence of the church are wrong. we will always strive for that perfect union of love between man and God through Christs example. I love you even though you despise my beliefs. And i will always be your brother. Love is the will of the self for the good of the other which includes not just happy feelings but sacrifice.
servorum says:As the one, holy Church founded by Jesus Christ on his own authority and on the faith of Peter and the Apostles, the Catholic Church is the Universal Sacrament of Salvation.
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Even if that was the original intent, the truth is that it is an organization that practices child rape world-wide and conspires to protect the rapists.
But that finding masks the fact that many Americans have left the faith, as part of what appears to be a growing movement away from organized religion.
---
There may be hope for us after all.....
As the one, holy Church founded by Jesus Christ on his own authority and on the faith of Peter and the Apostles, the Catholic Church is the Universal Sacrament of Salvation.
No one can be saved outside of Jesus Christ and outside of his Church which is his body. All who will be saved will be saved by Christ, through his Church.
The Church has demonstrated her divine nature for 2,000 years by becoming the greatest charitable institution the world has ever known, taking care of the hungry, the homeless, the poor, orphans, widows and the sick and, from the time of the Apostles, fighting for the rights of the unborn.
The Catholic Church established the hospital system, the university system, the scientific method, orphanages and food pantries, and has given more to the needy, and educated more children than any other organization on earth.
In addition, the Catholic Church alone teaches the full truth of the gospel of Christ, and alone remains united with Jesus Christ in the one Church he founded, under the direction of his Vicar on earth, the Successor to Peter, the pope.
We in the Church invite all of you who want to know more about Christ and who long to love God in your daily life with greater strength and grace to consider coming into full communion with the one Church to whom Christ gave all of the graces necessary to call sinners home to repentance, and ultimately home to eternal life with and in Almighty God.
I belong to no organized religion, nor do I believe in any beliefs of religions, my choice! But, why and how should age old beliefs of catholics or any other religion be expected to change their beliefs to accommodate those who aren't, pro-god and anti-abortion/gays.
Choise is what everyone should have without being dis-respected. If a woman chooses to have an abortion that is her choice. What difference will it make if she is told not to because mortal men/women say it's a sin, she knows what is right or wrong for herself, that's her choice.
Just because those laws of god - written by man - change to become pro-abortion does that mean she won't go to hell? Will the god she believes in all of a sudden say it's "ok now because the pope and leaders of other religions say "it's ok now".
Same with gays...should god say "ok time to change" because leaders of organized religions say "time to change, god". They believe in a god who has said no to gays and abortion since gods came into the picture.
I am pro-gay and pro-abortion, that is my choice. If I did believe in god and was anti-abortion and anti-gay that should also be my choise without being scourned.
We call for choise, well let everyone have a choice. How is someone expected to change because we are in 'different times'. To the religious we have always been in the same time, ancient. They have to believe in a god to get through life, let them be, the same as the agnostic/atheist should let be.
If people would mind their own business in who believe and not believe, the world would be a better place. If against gay/abortion, don't be or have one. If those who do go to hell, let them go. If fetus - believed to be babies - are aborted they will go right to heaven. Isn't that where all believers plan to in the first place?
My choice of my beliefs will never happen, but it was nice to choose to put them down. And please, if I made spelling mis-takes no need to comment, too many other things to be concerned about besides my mis-spelling.
This was one of the most relevent and competent answers I've seen on any of these comment posts in a long time.
Thank you for putting it out there that just because you don't believe in something doesn't mean that everyone else has to change their way of thinking too.
Furthermore, I think it would be counterproductive for the Catholic Church to state that their beliefs clearly do not allow for certain thoughts and ways of life BUT just because modern society doesn't agree they will change it.
Truly, asking any religion to change their beliefs to fit the general population will undermine their entire basis
I too do not belong to an organized religion and I choose not to. But I also will not tell another religion that they have to change their basic beliefs to fit my life. So long as your belief does no harm - why fight it?
Thank you for your kind words. Usually it is only those opposed to a comment who reply. I'm so glad you see it as I do, seems so simple doesn't it? But...
lnytnz proclaims: "I'm wondering how long it will take the modern world to overcome ancient beliefs and live in peace...."Well our amoral atheistic communist human beings killed millions of men, women, and children, who believed in God and those ancient beliefs and what were the bloodsheddding results??? I would encourage you to read "Tortured for Christ" and see how many millions of Christians died for their faith in those ancient beliefs.
slow_news...since you haven't stated that you have any set or morals/values that you adhere to..I can only assume that you are amoral. So in your ignorance that you label as wisdom...what are universal norms, values, morals that we human beings adhere or attempt to practice?
The Doctrine of the Holy Roman Catholic Church, and the Holy See (which is the Pope)who is there to uphold it, is NOT going to change. When will people get it through their thick skulls that this is not a club nor a democracy. Those trying to change it are what the Bible calls false prophets and followers of the anti-christ to destroy it. If you call yourselves Catholic, then you better start reading up on Fatima. The Blessed Mother has already predicted what's at hand, and with events that has happened these past few years, it is comming and soon.
The next Pope, will need all the strengh and prayers from his congregation for this will be the last true Pope.
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The jury might still be out, on the issue, either way. But assuming that God's a man-made fiction, what's so terrible about such values as peace, brotherhood, love, and charity (among others)that ALL religions promote? Agreed, there are black sheep among the clergy who have broken their vows, abused their authority, and engaged in dozens of other crimes and misdemeanors. They should be punished, and those protecting them should be made answerable as well. But this does not make them more sinful or hypocritical than the rest of us, nor justify the dismantling of the churches they belong to.
Democracy is a great idea, but it hasn't always produced great leaders. Many have proved as corrupt as the dictators they claim to oppose and as lubricious as pederast priests. Should we decry the democratic ideal and revert to socialism, or even outright dictatorship?
The church will endure, despite the frustrated ravings of atheists who can't bear the fact that believers have something to believe in, whereas, by their own admission, they have nothing.
---
Even if that was the original intent, the truth is that it is an organization that practices child rape world-wide and conspires to protect the rapists.
---
There may be hope for us after all.....
No one can be saved outside of Jesus Christ and outside of his Church which is his body. All who will be saved will be saved by Christ, through his Church.
The Church has demonstrated her divine nature for 2,000 years by becoming the greatest charitable institution the world has ever known, taking care of the hungry, the homeless, the poor, orphans, widows and the sick and, from the time of the Apostles, fighting for the rights of the unborn.
The Catholic Church established the hospital system, the university system, the scientific method, orphanages and food pantries, and has given more to the needy, and educated more children than any other organization on earth.
In addition, the Catholic Church alone teaches the full truth of the gospel of Christ, and alone remains united with Jesus Christ in the one Church he founded, under the direction of his Vicar on earth, the Successor to Peter, the pope.
We in the Church invite all of you who want to know more about Christ and who long to love God in your daily life with greater strength and grace to consider coming into full communion with the one Church to whom Christ gave all of the graces necessary to call sinners home to repentance, and ultimately home to eternal life with and in Almighty God.
God bless you all.
Choise is what everyone should have without being dis-respected. If a woman chooses to have an abortion that is her choice. What difference will it make if she is told not to because mortal men/women say it's a sin, she knows what is right or wrong for herself, that's her choice.
Just because those laws of god - written by man - change to become pro-abortion does that mean she won't go to hell? Will the god she believes in all of a sudden say it's "ok now because the pope and leaders of other religions say "it's ok now".
Same with gays...should god say "ok time to change" because leaders of organized religions say "time to change, god". They believe in a god who has said no to gays and abortion since gods came into the picture.
I am pro-gay and pro-abortion, that is my choice. If I did believe in god and was anti-abortion and anti-gay that should also be my choise without being scourned.
We call for choise, well let everyone have a choice. How is someone expected to change because we are in 'different times'. To the religious we have always been in the same time, ancient. They have to believe in a god to get through life, let them be, the same as the agnostic/atheist should let be.
If people would mind their own business in who believe and not believe, the world would be a better place. If against gay/abortion, don't be or have one. If those who do go to hell, let them go. If fetus - believed to be babies - are aborted they will go right to heaven. Isn't that where all believers plan to in the first place?
My choice of my beliefs will never happen, but it was nice to choose to put them down. And please, if I made spelling mis-takes no need to comment, too many other things to be concerned about besides my mis-spelling.
Thank you for putting it out there that just because you don't believe in something doesn't mean that everyone else has to change their way of thinking too.
Furthermore, I think it would be counterproductive for the Catholic Church to state that their beliefs clearly do not allow for certain thoughts and ways of life BUT just because modern society doesn't agree they will change it.
Truly, asking any religion to change their beliefs to fit the general population will undermine their entire basis
I too do not belong to an organized religion and I choose not to. But I also will not tell another religion that they have to change their basic beliefs to fit my life. So long as your belief does no harm - why fight it?
LADYALTHEA7373
Thank you for your kind words. Usually it is only those opposed to a comment who reply. I'm so glad you see it as I do, seems so simple doesn't it? But...
I would encourage you to read "Tortured for Christ" and see how many millions of Christians died for their faith in those ancient beliefs.
So in your ignorance that you label as wisdom...what are universal norms, values, morals that we human beings adhere or attempt to practice?
If you call yourselves Catholic, then you better start reading up on Fatima. The Blessed Mother has already predicted what's at hand, and with events that has happened these past few years, it is comming and soon.
The next Pope, will need all the strengh and prayers from his congregation for this will be the last true Pope.