From CNN.com comes another balanced piece about how the new Pope had better change to meet the expectations of a bunch of whining babies the more modernist members of his flock. Balanced, as is fairly typical for CNN, means drawing insights from a broad range of liberals. They lament-
Some experts are skeptical that Benedict will embrace modernity, believing he will instead focus more on internal church changes than on reaching out globally. That said, he remains — by definition — the leader of hundreds of millions of Catholics in most every corner of the world.
That’s nice at the end, there, where they grudgingly admit that he is the Pope.
I think (and hope) that those who expect this Pope to put his finger to the wind to test doctrine will be, not just disappointed, but dismayed. Of all the things for a Pope to embrace, mere "modernity" would be the most fatuous. Modern, by definition, means something that is already fading, already passing away, to make room for something even more modern. What is astonishing about modernity is how blindingly fast it becomes quaint and outmoded. Remember beanbag chairs? Polyester suits? Poodle skirts, for cryin’ out loud?
Mankind needs timeless truths, not the latest fads whipped up by doctrinal fashionistas. I can’t wait for the first encyclical.
In the words of G.K. Chesterton –
"My attitude toward progress has passed from antagonism to boredom. I have long ceased to argue with people who prefer Thursday to Wednesday because it is Thursday."
I agree completely, and great GKC quote by the way!
Chris
http://amateureconblog.blogspot.com/
I second the GKC quote comment — just printed it out to hang in my office.
‘thann
Ah, the wonderful tradition of poodle skirt Liturgies.
Give me that old time religion.
SNAP! Great commentary Tim.
“Hundreds of millions”? Well, they were off by about a billion, but they are just a news agency whose reputation relies on being accurate.
I’m sure we can let it slide. After so many reports like that, we Catholics have learned better than to trust CNN’s (or NPR’s, CBS’, ABC’s, NBC’s …) horribly misinformed views on our Church for a looooong time.
I have to give mad props to Dale Ahlquist and the American Chesterton Society for providing that quote. A bunch more great quotes and other useful material can be found on their website at
http://www.chesterton.org/.
The museums of the world are chock full of several millenia’s worth of “modernity”.
I saw that Benedict is now “reaching out” to Jews and Moslems. I think the media is setting him up like they do most conservatives: if he caves in, we will see articles about how he has “grown.”
Wait till Benedict holds his first “Assisi” event. The media will go ga ga about how great he is.
“Wait till Benedict holds his first ‘Assisi’ event.”
Please, Lord, spare us!
I’ve been hearing a lot of this stuff about the pope wanting to be a “listener” and how he wants to “dialogue.” That’s all fine and dandy as long as he doesn’t “listen” too much to the whining cafeteria Catholics. Let’s pray that Pope Benedict has the courage to stand up for the truth of the faith no matter what pressure he is put under to be “modern.”