Why I am happy that Ratzinger was made Pope
Posted by Brian on Thu 21-Apr-2005 at 3:30 pm
Although the new Pope Benedict XVI will undoubtedly cause many good people much pain, his papacy should advance the cause of secularism in the longer term.
As I suggested in an earlier blog (5 April), another authoritarian pope is required to advance the process of ecclesiastical division set in train by Paul VI and accelerated by John Paul II. It seems unlikely that Benedict will revise his negative positions on contraception, women’s ordination, gay rights etc. Dissent from his various stances will not culminate in a formal schism, but rather bring about a continual erosion in Catholic numbers, first in Europe, North America and Australasia and later throughout the rest of the world.
If this outcome does not seem apparent to you, ask yourself what Benedict can possibly do to prevent it. Should he become even more authoritarian than previously? But that approach, among other things, is surely an essential part of the Catholic Church’s problem.
This papal appointment should also increase stresses in many Protestant communions. Focusing on official Catholic policies regarding abortion, homosexuality, divorce etc., many ultra-conservative Protestants are now showing signs of actual Pope-olatry. Mournful letters along the following lines are now beginning to appear in the pages of evangelical newspapers:
Why, after reading the endless eulogies from Christian leaders for the Pope, do I get that sinking feeling that they have betrayed the Christian Reformation led by Martin Luther? … [John Paul II] led [his] church further into apostasy on at least one key point. Namely, the promoting of the worship of Mary to only a step short of making her co-redemptrix with Christ. His promotion of so-called interfaith dialogue has also demonstrated a low view of the Scriptures that Bible-believing Christians hold so dear. (David Stevens, New Life, 21 Apr. 2005)
Many conservative American Protestants already regard Catholics and theological liberals with an equal degree of contempt, and a ‘Catholic First’ pope like Benedict should give this viewpoint a hearty boost in Australia.
The incalculable harm wrought by the Christian church over two millennia is a matter of historical record. We need Pope Benedict to push the process of disintegration along - and then another six more like him.