From a Priest: Letter to Next Pope
By Rev Dr Sahaya G Selvam
Your Holiness, I am not a theologian, nor a church historian. I am a Catholic priest with some academic background and much pastoral experience with the younger generation. I have had the privilege of living and serving the people of God in four countries across three continents. Having lived four years in Northern Europe, I have seen the situation of the church there, witnessed the struggle between the church and the larger society, and heard the political rhetoric among the followers of Christ. However, I wonder; as the leader of the universal church would it not be more meaningful for Your Holiness to focus on the “joys and hopes” that the universal church promises, rather than get bogged down by the problems of the church in Europe and North America? Moreover, I have observed with much dismay how the current church leadership is European-dominated (and Italian at that)! While Latin America is home to almost half of all the world’s Catholics, only 5.1 per cent of the Vatican officials come from there. On the other hand, 76 per cent of the Vatican’s highest-ranking positions belong to Cardinals and Bishops from Europe, and 10.2 per cent are men from North America. In any case, is it not proper to acknowledge that this leadership has failed to keep Catholicism alive in their own continent, and hence should not impose the insipid model on the entire church? I am sorry, Your Holiness, if my words sound presumptuous. I trust, you being our Holy Father, do understand my sentiments. Your Holiness, I was born and brought up in a village that was 100 per cent Catholic – at least it used be that way. I am sure, you realise that in Latin America, in the last 10 years, the Catholic Church has lost 7 per cent of its adherents to the Pentecostal movements. In Brazil alone, the Catholic population has fallen from 73.6 per cent to 64.6%. Similar scenarios could be the case in places like the Philippines. For sure, it is the case at my own home in South India. I wonder, what would be your strategies to handle this situation. Second Vatican I was born after the Second Vatican Council. By the time I reached the age of recognising what happens at liturgy, the altars had moved to the middle of the sanctuary. Throughout my years of seminary formation I heard a lot about the glories of the Second Vatican Council. But this is not what we have witnessed in the recent years. I am confused about the mind of the official church on this. Do some people at the Vatican think the Council was a mistake? If this is only my impression, would Your Holiness have the courage to strongly and consistently voice the spirit of the Second Vatican Council? Among other things, the areas of collegiality and decision-making processes envisaged by the Council seem sensitive. Will you be offering the Synod of Bishops more responsibility, for instance? Speaking of authority, some scholars examining the anatomy of sex scandals say that the true scandal is the abuse of power within the church, coupled with the lack of transparency. Your Holiness, would you consider simplifying the Holy See, and shedding the church hierarchy of some power? By the way, does our God need to be protected by means of our lies, or by hiding the truth! Your predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, addressing politicians at the Westminster Hall in London in September 2010, aptly acknowledged that religion has to be purified by reason, just as the latter stands to be corrected by religion. Reason does not have to be only the metaphysical type; it could be the scientific type as well. Sexual orientation Hence, don’t you think, our own faith and morals could be better informed by the findings of science – for instance, regarding the use of contraceptives, and our understanding of sexual orientation? Finally, Your Holiness, my academic preparations have been related to the scientific study of religion. Several of my colleagues in the field provide evidence that suggests that the Western world (particularly Northern Europe) is moving away from secularism to spirituality-without-religion; and contemporary philosophy is in transition from post-modern relativism to a mature critical realism. Would you recognise these in your future writings, dear Holy Father? These are new challenges. And opportunities too! After all, the world may not be really what it appears to be if seen only from the domes of Rome. I submit these musings to your gracious consideration. I have done it in good faith. I am sure you are magnanimous enough to pardon my impertinence. As for me, I will continue to be a faithful member of the Catholic Church since my own God-experiences have been in this context. And I pray that mediating the experience of God for all people will be the raison d’etre of our church. Contact: selvamsdb@gmail.com
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