THE TRIBULATION OF POPE

   Although I have not much doubt that what really should be causing anxiety and concern in the Catholic Church, and hence for its highest representative, Pope Benedict XVI, is the delicate situation that is going through this Institution, questioned in many areas of society, with plenty of scandals behind him, faced with a stream of growing secularism, with the seminars practically deserted by the progressive loss of vocations, and the unfinished business of making a deep and comprehensive internal reflection that allowed to address the major renovation that their most critics are constantly demanding, some statements and declarations, from its highest levels, seem to indicate otherwise.

   If already in December 2007, during the celebration of Christmas, Benedict XVI surprised to the Catholics with the installation of a nativity scene diametrically away from the concept than through the centuries has been so deeply rooted in the Christian community, questioning the birth of Jesus in the humble portal to place it in a ambient much more wealthy in the Galilee town of Nazareth, with great disappointment for all belenísticas groups that will be forced to keep the mule, cow, sheep, shepherds and other typical and traditional ingredients in the drawer of memories. Now, when we are on the brink of Easter, also seems to suggest that another ancient custom should be changed to place the Last Supper of Jesus with his apostles on Tuesday, instead of Thursday as had always been considered, a matter which, if carried out, will change all the liturgical and procesional calendar of these religious celebrations, which, surely, will generate new controversies, without involving any benefit to the Catholic Church.

    It is true that, although in both cases, the Pope does not manifest with the doctrinal authority of Supreme Pontiff, always will have enough moral authority for that all his writings and statements are taken into account. What is most striking is that these interpretations of Benedict XVI are influenced by the book "A Marginal Jew. New vision of the historical Jesus", published by the american author John P. Meier, although this literary work is considered how one of the best works published in recent years about the New Testament. Very few resources have to have the Vatican to have to resort to outside analysts for documented on topics which are very characteristic for it, although they are so authorized as previously mentioned, and very little intelligence indicates this institution to try to change habits that, forming part of the Christian heritage for two millennia, no one try or want to change.

    I do not know what the current Pope will bring us in further statements and / or reflections, but, unfortunately, probably not will be what you really is expected. If left parked the essentially, continue to focus only on the accidental, in the superfluous, not only not will get to stop the progressive loss of social acceptance that Catholicism has been experiencing in recent times, but it will endanger their own survival.


C. Díaz Fdez.
Oviedo, April 18, 2011