The Bizness on Pope Benedict

Yes, Matt is right. I was on official bizness. But if I told you what it was, I'd then have to kill you.

While at my undisclosed location this afternoon, I caught a glimpse of the televised coverage of the conclave's announcement of the new faith leader, Pope Benedict XVI, or formerly known as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. For many Catholic scholars, this isn't an especially shocking announcement. For most regular Catholics, it was up in the air.

I'd be hopeful and enthusiastic about any Catholic leader, out of loyalty. But I'm especially more so at this decision and I think non-Catholics might be too.

Pope Benedict offers a few great qualities to his willing followers:

For one, he's German. According the U.S. Library of Congress, "between 1980 and 1992, about 1.0 million German Roman Catholics and 1.2 million German Protestants gave up their church memberships." Some of this is attributed to what Germans perceived as a burdensome financial obligation to their local parishes. Rightfully so. The "church tax" collects some 9.0 billion DM.

Between 1970 and 1989, the number of Roman Catholics attending Sunday mass in West Germany declined from 37 percent to 23 percent. Between 1970 and 1990, the number of annual baptisms fell from about 370,000 to around 300,000. Approximately 470,000 Roman Catholics officially left the church between 1985 and 1990. In the same period, about 25,000 returned to the church, and another 25,000 converted to other religions.

All in all, Christianity or even a loosely-defined belief in God is on the decline in Germany...and really Western Europe in general. A lot can be argued about why this is the case. (I'd say it's due, in large part, to a dangerous union of Church and State. Many European countries have relied on Catholic Church doctrine as a basis for dictating codes of conduct and law. Religion is voluntary and should spring from a want for God and eternal life).

I pray that Pope Ben brings much-needed spritual life back to western Europe.

Also, he is respected. Clearly the Catholic Church is controversial. Whether it's birth control, the war in Iraq, child molestation cases or just male-dominated tradition--opponents will poke holes in the long-standing traditions and decisions of papal leaders. It is a natural result of leadership. But I think Pope Ben's strong record of integrity among fellow bishops will assuage the ney-sayers. There is strength in numbers and those numbers will be important as Pope Benedict fights his battles. Bishop Ratzinger offered this statement at Pope John Paul's funeral:

``Having a clear faith, based on the creed of the church is often labeled today as a fundamentalism,'' he said. ``Whereas relativism, which is letting oneself be tossed and swept along by every wind of teaching, looks like the only attitude acceptable to today's standards.''

This is a call to arms. I'd say that he was elected after this statement ensures a great level of respect among his comrades in the Church.

On a more personal note, I'm very fond of the Benedictine tradition. For those of you who don't know, the Order of St. Benedict (or OSB), is a monastic tradition adopted from the life of St. Benedict. This life is characterized by common prayer, work and reading. While there is a lot of emphasis on internal contemplation, fasting and prayer--the community is also central to Benedictine tradition. Benedictines live the outside life with "understanding and zeal."

I was taught by Benedictine monks and nuns in high school outside Chicago. It was an enriching four years. I'm happy that the important name, Benedict, is on the scene once again. As leader of the Catholic Church, I hope the Holy Father calls on the great traditions of contemplation and hard work in and outside the walls of The Vatican.

All in all, Pope Ben will bring a good deal of continuity to the Church. This doesn't mean he won't be vocal. But it does mean that reformers will likely be forced to the "back of the church." The dialogues will continue, especially in the U.S.--where the call for reform seems louder and louder. It will be very interesting to see how Pope Ben handles these outcries.