With the death of Pope John Paul II, the Catholic Church and indeed people of all religions have lost a powerful advocate for freedom, justice and human rights throughout the world.
Under the stewardship of this charismatic leader, the Catholic Church has steadfastly remained a bastion of orthodoxy and conservatism.
It’s worth noting, I think, that during his tenure as pope, John Paul II appointed nearly all of the cardinals who will elect his successor, thereby ensuring, one would think, his legacy regarding church dogma and social issues. On the surface, then, based on the current makeup of the current College of Cardinals, there appears to be little hope for significant change in either of these two areas.
As is the case with most lifetime appointments, however, a change in thinking can occur without fear of retribution.
My fervent hope is that the newly elected pontiff will embrace a culture more liberal in nature and consider modifying some of the old social practices of the church. Ordination of women, married priests and strict divorce laws come to mind immediately. I truly believe that to viably sustain itself well into the 21st Century and beyond, the Catholic Church must embrace a culture of change, and the new pope must be an integral part of that process.
