Pope leaves behind struggling U.S. church

[Algorem]

(AP) — Pope John Paul II inspired American Catholics with his globe-trotting, charismatic leadership, perseverance in the face of debilitating illness, and deep spirituality. But his tight grip on church leadership and unwillingness to change some unpopular teachings clashed with the more democratic approach that many of the 65 million U.S. Catholics favor. At the end of his pontificate, John Paul leaves behind an American church uplifted by his personal piety, yet struggling with several of the same problems that preceded him: a dramatically shrinking U.S. priesthood, disagreement over the proper role for lay leaders, and a growing conservative-liberal divide over sexuality, women's ordination and celibacy for clergy.

"He was seen as an extraordinarily prayerful pope. There was a kindness to him that seemed to come through," said James Davidson, a Purdue University sociologist who specializes in Catholicism. "But there were moments at which the pope and American lay people seemed to be on different pages on how decision-making in the church takes place. He tended to be more top down and they tend to be more bottom up."

The cry for greater lay influence grew loudest after the clergy sex abuse crisis erupted in 2002 with revelations that many American bishops had moved predatory clergy among parishes without notifying the public or police. Some Catholics responded by demanding the Vatican give them a greater say in choosing church leaders. Officials in Rome, not surprisingly, didn't budge...
favorhttp://www.cleveland.com/newsflash/international/index.ssf?/base/national-41/111255075974920.xml&storylist=pope

[MrPrax]

1. Wow...criticism...

and important criticism to get onto the record

This piece, as tempered as it is, certainly is at odds with the tone of the electronic coverage which makes this Pope seem like God Himself--as opposed to a Pope that saw a mass exodus in western countries of parishers over his tenure that pretty much erased any of the inroads Vatican 2 had made...

[Eloriel]

2. I've been DYING to say this, perhaps this is a good place

According to prophecy (and damned if I can remember which -- Nostradamus, Edgar Cayce, Revelations, other -- I just can't remember), this was to be the 2nd to last Pope.

Frankly, I can hardly wait. Sorry, but that's the way I feel about the Church and its record through the last 2 millennia. Not the way I feel about Christ, just the way I feel about the Church.

Can you imagine how much the world will have to change for the next pope to be the last? We'll see. It was prophecy, which doesn't always come true.

In any case, any information about how the Church as an institution is faring is fodder for the fulfilment of this particular prophecy IMO.

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. But doesn't that prophecy go on to say that

after the last pope will be the rapture?

I don't remember that this prophecy predicts only the end of the Catholic church, but also the end of the world.

[NEOBuckeye]

4. The way I heard it, there were actually to be 2 more after Pope John Paul

One, the "Olive Pope", who would be much loved by people throughout the world, and lastly, the "Evil One" who would more or less obliterate the Church.

[TalkingDog]

5. St Malachy

According to SAINT MALACHY the coming Pope will be the next to last before the end of days.

http://www.crystalinks.com/papalprophecies.html

As the Chinese curse says: May you live in interesting times.

I wish peace for Karol Wojtyla and his family.