Religion
Related: About this forumThe Trouble With Francis: Three Things That Worry Me
http://www.religiondispatches.org/archive/sexandgender/7484/the_trouble_with_francis__three_things_that_worry_me/January 6, 2014
By MARY E. HUNT
Mary E. Hunt, Ph.D., is a feminist theologian who is co-founder and co-director of the Women's Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual (WATER) in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA. A Roman Catholic active in the women-church movement, she lectures and writes on theology and ethics with particular attention to liberation issues.
A pope who loves and is easy to loveso what's the problem?
Will Pope Francis be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated engaging in "spiritual exercises" in next month's issue?
Given the spate of media attention he has received in the U.S. market, I will not be surprised by anything. Just to head off distractions, let me stipulate that I do have a heart, and approve of the personal direction of this pope: a simple lifestyle, a commitment to the poor, a soft touch with those who are young or ill, all indicate a fine human being, indeed what Christianity would hold up as a model.
I note only that his predecessor popes and some of their episcopal sycophants gave the job such a bad name that the bar is low. Undoing their structures and policies, especially regarding criminal sexual scandals and Vatican finances, will take longer than these first nine months of the Francis papacy.
The phenomenon of a pope becoming a pop culture icon is fascinating, troubling, and not a little confusing. Here are a few of the puzzles I'm struggling with as I try to make sense of the current Catholic religious scene.
more at lnk
struggle4progress
(118,041 posts)cbayer
(146,218 posts)pinto
(106,886 posts)Yeah, he was on the cover of a couple of magazines. Has become something of a pop culture item. So what?
I think the press coverage, which seems the primary point of the author, is a good thing. Obviously he and the media interest has stirred up some stuff.
skepticscott
(13,029 posts)substantive structural and doctrinal issues do not evaporate just because the pope does not wear Prada.
But she's a little too concerned with her own precarious spot at the table to come right out and say everything that needs to be said. And does she really not understand how women can be "valued" in the RCC, even though they cannot be ordained and do not have the authority to make decisions about things that matter? Indentured servants used to be valued, too.
goldent
(1,582 posts)skepticscott
(13,029 posts)that virtually every reporter in Washington is so concerned about preserving. Made even more precarious by her status.
goldent
(1,582 posts)>Mary E. Hunt, Ph.D., is a feminist theologian who is co-founder and co-director of the Women's Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual (WATER) in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA. A Roman Catholic active in the women-church movement, she lectures and writes on theology and ethics with particular attention to liberation issues.
Looking at the blogs, I don't think she tows the Vatican line
skepticscott
(13,029 posts)I know who she is.
But she needs more towing capacity.
trotsky
(49,533 posts)and getting shat upon for doing so.
I guess when you're a liberal theologian, your opinion matters. When you're a liberal atheist, you need to STFU and genuflect.
el_bryanto
(11,804 posts)goldent
(1,582 posts)I think that is his goal.
But the new becomes old, and I guess after another year or so, people will grow used to him. We won't hear so much outside of Catholic circles except for the occasional news soundbite as he travels around the world.
cbayer
(146,218 posts)The upcoming meeting of the cardinals should be interesting. They can either sit on their hands and do nothing or begin the process that will lead to real change.
okasha
(11,573 posts)at both ends of the spectrum the wrong way. It's an indication he may actually be open to change, since both types of extremists desperately want him not to change the Church.