The pope’s decision

The pope always has his reasons.

Most of the time he’s right.

Benedict XVI understands he’s in the thick of scandal and he can’t get out.

He recognizes that, in some way, shape, or form, every cardinal advising him right now was probably connected to the pedophilia cover-up, whether they knew it or not.

And the rumors about his connections to Nazi Germany have not helped either.

He recognizes that the papacy needs a younger, fresher mind.

Someone who will push the Church through these difficulties, who can recognize it has serious cleaning up to do, and who is willing to do it.

The problem right now is many older clergy and laypeople are used to the spirituality of the pope’s office.

And it is a spiritual position, one that we as Catholics believe the Holy Spirit appointed to one man for a certain period of time.

But many are used to having a pope who can step down from on high and fix all the problems.

Many are used to a pope that remains relatively unchallenged by the media.

But what many older Catholics do not realize is that the pope’s office wields enormous political power.

And that’s where I have a problem with Benedict’s decision.

To someone on the outside looking in, it looks like he’s giving up.

Like he’s abandoning his position.

What many Catholics see as a brave decision by a man who recognizes that we need a pope who is a politician as well as a priest, others see as the Church throwing its hands in the air.

I don’t think there could be a worse time for him to step down.

I also think it was probably a good decision.

So I, and many other younger Catholics like me, are walking a fine line right now between supporting our spiritual leader and recognizing that we need a political one.

We have to learn how to navigate a secular world without abandoning our spiritual core.

And let’s face it, the Vatican is full of old priests who are stumped.

They don’t know how to tell us how to do it.

So while I recognize Benedict’s decision in the long run will be better for the Church, I think it’s a perfect example of how clueless the Vatican is when it comes to secular politics.

We need a younger, smarter pope.

And while I have faith that we will find one, I also want to bang my head repeatedly against the nearest wall.

­— ewenning@indiana.edu