tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3479340912474221858.post4253413585069288610..comments2016-05-17T03:44:31.306-05:00Comments on On Pop Theology: One Small Step for BenedictAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10452247853466672445noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3479340912474221858.post-40475564954658151292013-02-19T21:54:48.592-06:002013-02-19T21:54:48.592-06:00Hey Bekah!
Great post! I applaud your efforts to ...Hey Bekah!<br /><br />Great post! I applaud your efforts to wrestle with this issue the tension of Tradition and reaching modern society. I wanted to leave my two cents, if you'll indulge me:<br /><br />1) There is indeed a sense in which Pope Benedict broke from "tradition" with his abdication, but he also wasn't setting a new precedent either, since popes and bishops have abdicated their positions in the past. Thus, I'm not sure "breaking with tradition" is the best way to characterize his decision, as it appears the pope and bishops could always abdicate their position (an ancient example: St. Augustine retired from being a bishop). Further, there is a distinction that must be made between the parts of Catholic tradition that deal with morality, theology, and interpreting scriptures (which are immutable), and the parts of Catholic tradition that deal with custom. The latter is much more flexible ("open handed"). An interesting example of the latter is the church's position on cremation, which has undergone some change from ancient time not b/c of a change in its doctrine but b/c of a change in the delicate balance between the meaning of the act, the theology of how to treat the dead, and the circumstances that compel people to pursue cremation as a burial option. I'll leave it at that for the sake of space.<br /><br />2) Are you familiar with what's called "The New Evangelization"? This is a movement within the church (that I'm pretty sure Pope Benedict had significant influence in launching) as a continuation of what was intended at Vatican II, which was determining exactly what you are calling for: how does ought the church approach the task of evangelizing modern society? There are some great resources discussing this if you're interested in exploring the topic further.<br /><br />3) Though it's certainly true that individual Catholics have harbored much pride when discussing sexual morality (I've been guilty of this myself), Pope Benedict and bishops who speak on this topic are usually (if not always) attempting to speak the truth in love (as Paul calls us to do), with as much pastoral care as they can muster without compromising the truth. I doubt one could find a hint of pride in JPII's "Theology of the Body" (and his previous work "Love and Responsibility" before he was pope), which are considered seminal works on the specific topic of Catholic sexual morality.<br /><br />Thanks!<br />McGMcGnoreply@blogger.com