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Anthony Piscitelli

Trustee, Waterloo Catholic District School Board

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Let's Talk About Catholic Church Reform

Posted: 02/25/2013 5:31 pm

With stories about Pope Benedict's surprising resignation having grown old, the media has begun the process of speculating on who will be the next leader of the Catholic Church. Wrapped into these stories are questions about the possibility that the next Pope may change the Catholicism's position on any number of controversial issues like the use of contraception or female priests. Each of these articles carries the subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) message that the Church needs to change to stay relevant. This may seem the case when viewing the church through a North American lens but when the Church is viewed from a global angle the picture of the Catholic Church changes dramatically.

Currently the Church is seeing its membership stagnate and decline in the west. The developing world, however, stands in sharp contrast. The number of Catholics is increasing rapidly in Africa, Asia and South America. Overall, the current story of Catholicism is one of growth. Suggestions that the Church needs to reform to survive are clearly North American-centric.

When discussing reform the focus is typically on issues which paint the Catholic Church as a conservative organization. It is true that opposition to abortion and same sex marriage are typically associated with the political right. The church, however, has a long history of positions on social justice that would fit comfortably in the platform of left wing political parties; opposition to the death penalty, support for fair wages and religious freedom come immediately to mind.

Unfortunately, when the media treats reform in the church as a battle between the left and right they ignore the core debate facing Catholicism. Democracy, the driving force behind the past 200 years of modernization, is meeting up against the top-down, centralized culture that has characterized Catholicism for nearly 2,000 years. In other words, average Catholics living in democratic countries are seeking the space to question their church.

The issues of the left-right debate will resolve themselves over time. In some circumstances the Church will be vindicated, as was the case when the world recognized Catholics opposition to eugenics was the only morally defensible view. In other instances the Church will admit mistakes and it will change course. This process is slow -- pardoning Galileo for refusing to deny that the earth revolves around the sun took hundreds of years -- but change does occur. While left-right issue can be resolved the role of everyday Catholics in the church is a conversation that will endure and ultimately define the direction of Catholicism.

This debate is also relevant to all of humanity as the Church is much more than just a religious organization. The Catholic Church is a major provider of health services and runs the largest non-governmental school system in the world. What the Church does matters to everyone. Historically this has helped civilization make giant leaps forward. The Church, for example, was responsible for preserving knowledge during the dark ages and at the forefront of the anti-slavery movement. Even if recent scandals involving the Church have tarnished its reputation there is still hope; an institution with a 2,000 year past and over a billion members understands the need to be adaptive, even if its size makes institutional change slow.

What Catholicism needs now is for ordinary Church members to play a part in reform. We must work to develop a church culture that is welcoming to all. We must ensure the Church's social justice mission continues to play a prominent role around the world. Finally, we can no longer accept suggestions that it is in the Church's best interest to keep quiet about scandals. Attempts to cover up cases of sex abuse made the problems worse. The next scandal will be less devastating if it is quickly brought into the open and appropriately addressed.

Leaders in Catholic institutions, like hospitals and schools, must continue to push for the flexibility to respond to local circumstances. In African hospitals this means providing condoms to people living in a continent plagued by AIDS. In Ontario Catholic schools it means encouraging debate about controversial theological issues inside and outside of the classroom.

Reform of the Catholic Church has always begun at the grassroots. Ontario Catholic Schools can help this process by inspiring great theological debate. All of the hot button issues facing the Church belong in the school system. Every student in our system will at some point personally decided what they believe about God and the Catholic faith. If we provide our students the tools to consider theological issues many will decide to follow Catholicism while working to reform the Church.

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  • Crowds At Pope Benedict's Final noon prayer

    In this photo provided by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Pope Benedict XVI delivers his blessing during his last Angelus noon prayer, from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. Benedict XVI gave his pontificate's final Sunday blessing from his studio window to the cheers of tens of thousands of people packing St. Peter's Square, but sought to reassure the faithful that he wasn't abandoning the church by retiring to spend his final years in prayer. The 85-year-old Benedict is stepping down on Thursday evening, the first pope to do so in 600 years, after saying he no longer has the mental or physical strength to vigorously lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano, ho)

  • Blessing at Last Angelus Noon Prayer

    Pope Benedict XVI delivers his blessing during his last Angelus noon prayer, from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. Benedict XVI gave his pontificate's final Sunday blessing from his studio window to the cheers of tens of thousands of people packing St. Peter's Square, but sought to reassure the faithful that he wasn't abandoning the church by retiring to spend his final years in prayer. The 85-year-old Benedict is stepping down on Thursday evening, the first pope to do so in 600 years, after saying he no longer has the mental or physical strength to vigorously lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

  • 100,000 at Final Pope Blessing

    In this photo provided by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Pope Benedict XVI delivers his blessing during his last Angelus noon prayer, from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. Benedict XVI gave his pontificate's final Sunday blessing from his studio window to the cheers of tens of thousands of people packing St. Peter's Square, but sought to reassure the faithful that he wasn't abandoning the church by retiring to spend his final years in prayer. The 85-year-old Benedict is stepping down on Thursday evening, the first pope to do so in 600 years, after saying he no longer has the mental or physical strength to vigorously lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano, ho)

  • You Are Not Alone, I Am Also With You

    A girl holds up a sign with a banner reading in Italian "You are not alone, I'm also with you" during Pope Benedict XVI's last Angelus prayer, in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. Benedict XVI gave his pontificate's final Sunday blessing from his studio window to the cheers of tens of thousands of people packing St. Peter's Square, but sought to reassure the faithful that he wasn't abandoning the church by retiring to spend his final years in prayer. The 85-year-old Benedict is stepping down on Thursday evening, the first pope to do so in 600 years, after saying he no longer has the mental or physical strength to vigorously lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

  • Faithful Holds Photo Of Benedict

    A faithful holds up a picture of Pope Benedict XVI during the pope's last Angelus prayer, in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. Benedict XVI gave his pontificate's final Sunday blessing from his studio window to the cheers of tens of thousands of people packing St. Peter's Square, but sought to reassure the faithful that he wasn't abandoning the church by retiring to spend his final years in prayer. The 85-year-old Benedict is stepping down on Thursday evening, the first pope to do so in 600 years, after saying he no longer has the mental or physical strength to vigorously lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

  • Benedict XVI Delivers Blessing

    Pope Benedict XVI delivers his blessing during his last Angelus noon prayer, from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. Benedict XVI gave his pontificate's final Sunday blessing from his studio window to the cheers of tens of thousands of people packing St. Peter's Square, but sought to reassure the faithful that he wasn't abandoning the church by retiring to spend his final years in prayer. The 85-year-old Benedict is stepping down on Thursday evening, the first pope to do so in 600 years, after saying he no longer has the mental or physical strength to vigorously lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)

  • 'Thanks'

    Faithful hold up a sign with writing in German reading "thank you", during Pope Benedict XVI's last Angelus prayer, in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. Benedict XVI gave his pontificate's final Sunday blessing from his studio window to the cheers of tens of thousands of people packing St. Peter's Square, but sought to reassure the faithful that he wasn't abandoning the church by retiring to spend his final years in prayer. The 85-year-old Benedict is stepping down on Thursday evening, the first pope to do so in 600 years, after saying he no longer has the mental or physical strength to vigorously lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

  • 100,000 Gathered For Final Noon Prayer

    A view of the crowd in St. Peter's Square during Pope Benedict XVI's last Angelus noon prayer at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. Benedict XVI gave his pontificate's final Sunday blessing from his studio window to the cheers of tens of thousands of people packing St. Peter's Square, but sought to reassure the faithful that he wasn't abandoning the church by retiring to spend his final years in prayer. The 85-year-old Benedict is stepping down on Thursday evening, the first pope to do so in 600 years, after saying he no longer has the mental or physical strength to vigorously lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

  • Benedict XVI

    Pope Benedict XVI touches his face during his last Angelus noon prayer, from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. Benedict XVI gave his pontificate's final Sunday blessing from his studio window to the cheers of tens of thousands of people packing St. Peter's Square, but sought to reassure the faithful that he wasn't abandoning the church by retiring to spend his final years in prayer. The 85-year-old Benedict is stepping down on Thursday evening, the first pope to do so in 600 years, after saying he no longer has the mental or physical strength to vigorously lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)

  • Faithful Hold Banners

    Faithful hold banners as they attend Pope Benedict XVI's last Angelus prayer, in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. Benedict XVI gave his pontificate's final Sunday blessing from his studio window to the cheers of tens of thousands of people packing St. Peter's Square, but sought to reassure the faithful that he wasn't abandoning the church by retiring to spend his final years in prayer. The 85-year-old Benedict is stepping down on Thursday evening, the first pope to do so in 600 years, after saying he no longer has the mental or physical strength to vigorously lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

  • 'We Will Miss You'

    Faithful hold up a sign with writing in Italian reading "Dear Pope we will miss you", during Pope Benedict XVI's last Angelus prayer, in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. Benedict XVI gave his pontificate's final Sunday blessing from his studio window to the cheers of tens of thousands of people packing St. Peter's Square, but sought to reassure the faithful that he wasn't abandoning the church by retiring to spend his final years in prayer. The 85-year-old Benedict is stepping down on Thursday evening, the first pope to do so in 600 years, after saying he no longer has the mental or physical strength to vigorously lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

  • View Of the Crowd At St. Peter's Square

    A view of the crowd in St. Peter's Square during Pope Benedict XVI's last Angelus noon prayer at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. Benedict XVI gave his pontificate's final Sunday blessing from his studio window to the cheers of tens of thousands of people packing St. Peter's Square, but sought to reassure the faithful that he wasn't abandoning the church by retiring to spend his final years in prayer. The 85-year-old Benedict is stepping down on Thursday evening, the first pope to do so in 600 years, after saying he no longer has the mental or physical strength to vigorously lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

  • Faithful Attend Last Angelus Prayer

    Faithful attend Pope Benedict XVI's last Angelus prayer, in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. Benedict XVI gave his pontificate's final Sunday blessing from his studio window to the cheers of tens of thousands of people packing St. Peter's Square, but sought to reassure the faithful that he wasn't abandoning the church by retiring to spend his final years in prayer. The 85-year-old Benedict is stepping down on Thursday evening, the first pope to do so in 600 years, after saying he no longer has the mental or physical strength to vigorously lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

  • Benedict XVI

    Pope Benedict XVI delivers his blessing during his last Angelus noon prayer, from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. Benedict XVI gave his pontificate's final Sunday blessing from his studio window to the cheers of tens of thousands of people packing St. Peter's Square, but sought to reassure the faithful that he wasn't abandoning the church by retiring to spend his final years in prayer. The 85-year-old Benedict is stepping down on Thursday evening, the first pope to do so in 600 years, after saying he no longer has the mental or physical strength to vigorously lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)

  • Benedict Delivers Blessing From Window

    Pope Benedict XVI delivers his blessing during his last Angelus noon prayer, from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. Benedict XVI gave his pontificate's final Sunday blessing from his studio window to the cheers of tens of thousands of people packing St. Peter's Square, but sought to reassure the faithful that he wasn't abandoning the church by retiring to spend his final years in prayer. The 85-year-old Benedict is stepping down on Thursday evening, the first pope to do so in 600 years, after saying he no longer has the mental or physical strength to vigorously lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

  • Benedict Turns Away

    Pope Benedict XVI is flanked by his personal secretary Archbishop Georg Gaenswein as he leaves after delivering his last Angelus noon prayer, from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. Benedict XVI gave his pontificate's final Sunday blessing from his studio window to the cheers of tens of thousands of people packing St. Peter's Square, but sought to reassure the faithful that he wasn't abandoning the church by retiring to spend his final years in prayer. The 85-year-old Benedict is stepping down on Thursday evening, the first pope to do so in 600 years, after saying he no longer has the mental or physical strength to vigorously lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

  • Pope Benedict XVI delivers his blessing during his last Angelus noon prayer, from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. Benedict XVI gave his pontificate's final Sunday blessing from his studio window to the cheers of tens of thousands of people packing St. Peter's Square, but sought to reassure the faithful that he wasn't abandoning the church by retiring to spend his final years in prayer. The 85-year-old Benedict is stepping down on Thursday evening, the first pope to do so in 600 years, after saying he no longer has the mental or physical strength to vigorously lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

  • Removing The Drape With Pope's Symbol

    Pope Benedict XVI's personal secretary Archbishop Georg Gaenswein removes the drape bearing the pope's symbol on the window before Benedict XVI delivers his last Angelus prayer, in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. Benedict XVI gave his pontificate's final Sunday blessing from his studio window to the cheers of tens of thousands of people packing St. Peter's Square, but sought to reassure the faithful that he wasn't abandoning the church by retiring to spend his final years in prayer. The 85-year-old Benedict is stepping down on Thursday evening, the first pope to do so in 600 years, after saying he no longer has the mental or physical strength to vigorously lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

  • Closing The Window

    Archbishop Georg Gaenswein closes the window of Pope Benedict XVI's studio overlooking St. Peter's Square from where the pontiff delivered his last Angelus noon prayer, at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. Benedict XVI gave his pontificate's final Sunday blessing from his studio window to the cheers of tens of thousands of people packing St. Peter's Square, but sought to reassure the faithful that he wasn't abandoning the church by retiring to spend his final years in prayer. The 85-year-old Benedict is stepping down on Thursday evening, the first pope to do so in 600 years, after saying he no longer has the mental or physical strength to vigorously lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

  • Benedict XVI's Final Angelus Noon Prayer

    Pope Benedict XVI, partially seen, leaves after delivering his last Angelus noon prayer, from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. Benedict XVI gave his pontificate's final Sunday blessing from his studio window to the cheers of tens of thousands of people packing St. Peter's Square, but sought to reassure the faithful that he wasn't abandoning the church by retiring to spend his final years in prayer. The 85-year-old Benedict is stepping down on Thursday evening, the first pope to do so in 600 years, after saying he no longer has the mental or physical strength to vigorously lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)

 

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With stories about Pope Benedict's surprising resignation having grown old, the media has begun the process of speculating on who will be the next leader of the Catholic Church. Wrapped into these sto...
With stories about Pope Benedict's surprising resignation having grown old, the media has begun the process of speculating on who will be the next leader of the Catholic Church. Wrapped into these sto...
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Raymond Madore
66 Fans
01:36 AM on 02/28/2013
There are no words available to me, I'm sorry. ps. Can you explain what a banana tastes like?

The organized religion called the Roman Catholic Church or whatever else the like to call themselves is in my opinion the most despicable entity on the face of the earth.

Even today, they are one of the largest land owners in the World.

I recommend they sell their wealth, distribute it to the poor, and get out of town.

For the skeptics, there is always Zeitgeist, the Movie, on YouTube
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CLMHEL
17 Fans
08:05 AM on 02/27/2013
the church of shame is a mess,,, to many people have been hurt over many many years,,,,
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pinkibus
1812 Fans
11:37 PM on 02/25/2013
The RC church has made significant changes. For instance, it no longer believes in the Elibethan Great Chain of Being. And it no longer accepts abortion until the sixth month when the foetus is ensouled. In Brazil the majority will soon be protestant. In Afica it will have to accept birth control and abortion as climate change ceates more and more famine and people learn that birth control is available. Women will also have a greater role in the RC church since the number of priests is dwindling fast. Mythologizing the lives of people such as mother Theresa will have to stop too. The internet reveals all and can't be banned as the RC church used to ban books. Anyone who thinks the RC church can remain alive and well after the revelations of the last thirty years is a dreamer. Quebec, the greatest stronghold of the RC church sid no more after the birth control pill arrived and then abortion nd then education and then the horrors of the duplessis orphans. The same is true of Ireland the other strong hold of the RC church.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Runey
religion is why we can't have nice things.
692 Fans
 
10:53 PM on 02/25/2013
No. Let's talk about Catholic Church abolishment.
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Chubby Chucks
46 Fans
07:30 PM on 02/25/2013
"The next scandal will be less devastating if it is quickly brought into the open and appropriately addressed."
He knows the Catholic Church well because he doesn't say if there will be a scandal he says when. And of course it could be growing in the third world countries because it's harder to deceive people in the west who are more educated and wealthy.
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Love Levity
8 Fans
07:19 PM on 02/25/2013
"The Church, for example, was responsible for preserving knowledge during the dark ages."

Wasn't it the Church that was responsible for destroying and hiding knowledge? Wasn't the Church responsible for the dark ages?
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