I was genuinely excited by the drama that unfolded in Vatican City this week and the election of the new Pope.. aka Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Jesus Christ, Successor of the Prince of the Apostles... etc etc... I didn't expect to be but there's nothing quite like it. There was more drama than on all manufactured reality shows put together. Few institutions maintain the aura and mystery of the Catholic Church after all.
I've read about some people who have expressed disappointment that Cardinal Bergoglio is doctrinally conservative, as if they thought the conclave would perhaps elect a pope who would fly a rainbow flag on the balcony while promoting the One Billion Rising movement and announcing a sponsorship deal with Durex. My sister pointed out the total lack of women involved in the whole process and it was indeed striking to see the absence of any female influence within Vatican City. The decline of the Catholic Church in Europe is hardly surprising when it's the least adaptable form of Christianity (although the CofE tries its best to be) and marginalises half of the people in society. Even the new pope's country, Argentina, is increasingly secular.
In my opinion, preventing their priests from getting married is one of the major defects of the Church and one reason often given, that the priest should be married to the Church, is disingenuous to say the least. Catholicism is the cult of the virgin and is obsessed with chastity and celibacy but not only is it an unnatural way to live, from personal experience a priest can only benefit in his ministry from having a family. It goes without saying that this situation must be one factor in explaining the endless sex scandals, in which case their stance does far more harm than good.
You could argue I suppose that if you don't like the Catholic Church, just don't be a Catholic. But if the pope is the direct successor to St Peter and is head of the 'one true faith' there surely has to be a greater sense of responsibility to adapt to changes in society. Evolution and 'survival of the fittest' isn't about fundamental change as such, it's about adapting to the changes in your environment and surroundings. If you don't adapt, you die.
Because of this, I think the appointment of Pope Francis is as progressive as anyone could hope for. The conclave recognise the need for change on the inside of the Vatican and it's hugely symbolic that he's named himself after Francis of Assisi who was said to be asked by God to re-build the Church from ruins. He takes the bus to work and told his friends to give their money to the poor rather than buy plane tickets to see him become Cardinal. Many of his views aren't in keeping with modern society precisely because they're Catholic views, but maybe he does, and hopefully will, ponder the question that too many Christians forget to ask themselves: What would Jesus do?
