Pope Benedict XVI and app. 100 European bishops took a group photo in Rome this past weekend. There were no women in the picture. The occasion was the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome. That agreement marked the founding of the European Union. Benedict commented on the stagnant birth rate of Europeans and by implication it's effects on the church and European society in general.
Pope Benedict said, " Besides putting economic growth at risk, it can also cause enormous difficulties for social cohesion and above all favor dangerous individualism and is careless about the future."
That's an interesting selection of criticisms. His first alarm is about jeopardising " economic growth". One would think that Benedict would trust in God rather than trust in growth to underpin the church. Then he mentions "social cohesion". Is there anything more historically divisive than competing religions? And then he scolds and warns against "dangerous individualism". Well these dangerous individuals brought about the enlightenment of scientific explanations as an alternative to the teachings of the Bible. Most scientists don't deny the existence of a god, but their alternative scientific language allows a dialogue between competing followers of religion to carry on an alternative , less inflammatory conversation about this subject. Effectively the scientists are a kind of peacemaker.
If the Pope really wants to help to grow his flock, why not allow his clergy to marry? That would certainly attract a more trustworthy and fecund type. In general, Pope Benedict should concentrate on a quality flock rather than on quantity. That would mean that only people who can afford children should have them. Those that can't afford children should not have them and serve god in another way. The church has to have a message that resonates with the timeless realities of life.
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