Sources
1. Catholic News Agency
2. New York Times
3. CNN
4. All Africa
5. BBC
6. Fox News
As faithful Catholics around the world await the white smoke from the chimney of the Sisteen Chapel, underlying issues surrounding the Catholic church are surfacing. As we all know Pope Benedict XVI has retired from his throne and the cardinals have entered the conclave in hopes to vote and appoint a new Pope. Some of the issues that the Catholic church have been facing in recent months are the many sex scandals involving cardinals and priests. As you may know one of the ancient rules of Catholicism is a vow of celibacy, many people are debating if this vow should be updated. In a world surrounding new advances and tweeting Cardinals many fear that these ancient views may need to change. Pope Benedict XVI retired due to old age felt that he didn’t have enough energy to properly deal with all the scandal revolving around the Church.
Change is to happen with the nationality of the new pope as well. For the first time in history there is a great consideration for candidates outside of Europe including Africa and South America, and people are saying rightfully so. African people have a strong religious faith and Catholicism is widely spreading as well as in South America making up most of the Catholic population. Cardinals insist that nationality will not be a factor in choosing a new pope, rather qualifications and if one should meet the requirements than so be it. Africans as well as South Americans have more conservative views and many people feel that it would be best to raise the profile on the poorest continent.
While many people may argue if choosing a pope from a different region of the world is relevant some argue if a pope really matters at all. Catholic Americans believe that it is possible to “disagree with the pope on birth control, abortion, capital punishment and divorce and still be a good Catholic.”
People are ever growing and changing, maybe it is time to elect a pope that will consider all of the above and bring positive change to the Church and followers in an effort to unite people to the faith and God.
Sheila Haya
