This column wants to play this fun game.
It has been suggested that the next Pontiff should be a nun, an American, or someone from an emerging third world nation, perhaps one located in Africa.
How about a pious priest who has served his church, faith and flock?
But here’s the problem. That leaves all the scheming cardinals and the toxic situation at the Vatican intact.
It is so highly politicized over there, that group makes the Congress look statesmanlike.
Okay scratch the last statement. Nothing could elevate the folks clawing for power. Here. Or at the Vatican. (By the way John Boehner, the phrase when in Rome, do as the Romans, does not mean obstruct progress and protect the guilty.)
But staying with the analogy, anyone selected to be the next Pope will certainly be constrained by the people around him and the entire current cabal will remain in power.
It’s as if this country had the courage to impeach George W. Bush and we were left with Dick Cheney. And all the neo-cons.
Back to the Pope issue. As long as there is change afoot, let’s also dial down the pomp and circumstance. And wealth. And palaces.
No one is expecting clergy to dress like Jesus, but what about that vow of poverty?
That means you, Cardinal.
The original Buddha, during his journey for enlightenment, met people who starved themselves for their faith. They were critical of Shakyamuni for consuming enough victuals to remain alive. But had he not, there would be no lectures to his followers that came to form this philosophy/faith.
People called to a spiritual path must not be denied physical necessities. But drug lords should not look at the luxury of the Catholic hierarchy in envy.
Martin Luther started the Protestant Reformation based on the excess and sins of the Catholic Church. He was both a Catholic monk and lawyer, so who better?
Luther, although he changed the entire perspective of religion: from bribing God to being assured that God loved him, and thus all Christians, was a man of his times.
As his followers say today. He didn’t like Muslims or Jews. And did not feel that God’s grace extended to them.
Modern day Lutherans have transcended their faith’s founder, Martin Luther and his flawed beliefs, and have evolved to being one of the most tolerant and liberal, yes liberal, Christian sects today.
It is time to live true teachings and become better people of faith.
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