Rainbow Sash Movement

The visit of the Holy Father in April to the White House is indeed a significant moment for all of the world’s marginalized Catholics. One wonders what the real Papal Agenda for the trip is. Will it be more smoke and mirrors, a banal attempt to remove our gaze from the real issues that are facing the Catholic Church, and the world, or will it be meaningful?

Will he address forthright the systemic decay of the clergy by the culture of clericalism that is responsible for the Clergy Sex Abuse scandal, or the moral bankruptcy of our leadership when it comes to financial mismanagement. Or will he address what is the proper use of donations given for the work of the Church in the frame work of a Archdiocese or Diocese? Should those donations be squandered on legal payouts, and out and out theft?

Will he address the growing anti Semitic feelings of some of our cardinals and bishops?

Will he take this opportunity to publicly chastise President Bush for the murder of many innocents on both sides in the War in Iraq? Or will he just get lost in intellectual discussions of faith and reason as concerns bedroom issues? Will it be more smoke and mirrors, incense and empty ceremony, that may be good theater, but nothing else.

Many Catholics, both marginalized and none marginalized believe he denies the laity access to formal leadership within the Church, in my opinion, thereby threatening the church’s ability to meet the needs of all Christians who seek a religious connection. Indeed with shrinking size of the clergy, there are fewer priests available to share the sacraments within the Church, In Western Europe ,US, Canada, and Australia  more and more Churches are closing in these countries. The heart of the Church is our parishes, and that heart is presently experiencing angina because of this Pope.

It is Ironic that yesterday (February 15, 2008) we celebrated the Chair of Peter, in which St. Peter outlines what a pope should be, a example first all for others to follow, he should be collaborative so unity can truly be achieved, and he should not Lord it over others. How far removed has the present day Papacy removed itself from this vision ?

Benedict XVI should come to this country in sack cloth with ashes on his head for the wrong he has inflicted on the Mystical Body of Christ. It is our relationship with God that is the most important thing. It is only in that relationship the Church is able to proclaim the good news of salvation. It is my firm belief that Church thrives when there is a honest struggle to look for real solutions to real problems, and not when it is content with being pompous, comfortable and triumphal as is reflected in this Papacy.

 In my opinion, if you are struggling, seeking, able to listen to the challenges of other people’s stories as part of the solution process, you are finding your way to God, and at the end of day, that is what is truly important. The clergy and that includes the Pope should be our guides of example, and not our feudal lords. Their example of Christ  will either resonate with people, or not. This Pope is not resonating with any beyond the clerical culture of hypocrisy.

I pray that this Papal visit will be a humbling experience for the Pope. Many faithful are praying that his heart be open to all the dimensions of poverty within and beyond the Church’s castle walls.