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Does Ireland Hold the key to the Catholic Church's future?

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatche...rs-the-catholic-churchs-problems-ireland

I agree with the assessment. Archbishop Martin of Dublin would be the right man to deal with the massive sexual abuse crisis, which still harms and hinders the Catholic Faith. It is a greater source of damage, I believe, then even the Protestant Reformation and the scandal of the indulgences.



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The Church has to get serious though- Ireland is Ground Zero for the collapse of Catholicism in Europe, far worse than America, and it is because of the terrifying sexual abuse scandal. The bishops and cardinals seem myopic on this issue, and the Church is suffering terribly.

God bless and guide this Church from the Wilderness it has put itself in.

The now reposed German pastor of 38 years at the RC church where I am music director used to say, "The Irish ruined the Church!" Maybe an Irish pope is not a great idea, ya think?

Incidentally, as of 35 minutes ago, the See of Rome is vacant.

"Ruined the Church"? Maybe only insofar as their pentiential did much to turn Confession too much inward, more focussed on our response (or lack) than on God's grace.

But it has been well argued that that the Irish--and their monastics, in particular--preserved western/Roman civilzation.

Well, being of mainly German descent myself, it was nice to have Pope Benedict XVI when we did, and I could definitely relate to his style. However, I'm wondering if having an American Pope would be something to consider. That would be a history changer to be sure.

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Likewise, and there has never been a Bishop of Rome more kindly disposed toward Lutherans in our nearly 500 year history. Pope Benedict frequently, properly, and deliberately spoke of "Lutherans and Protestants" recognizing that there are vast differences between the two.

We [Lutherans] have been described as "catholic without being Roman; orthodox without being Eastern; and evangelical without being fundamentalist" (Carl Braaten)

That brings up another point (don't worry, mods, we'll get back on topic after I respond to Thomas the Seeker's post (oh, and btw, happy b-day, Thomas, I see that cake icon)).

My mother's side of the family, which is the German side of the family, although her father had Slavic roots (possibly Rusyn, or Ukrainian, but not sure), my mother was Roman Catholic along with her parents. However, her sister (now reposed as of last May), and her family was mainly Protestant. So there was a split family with different religious beliefs, albeit all Christian, but even so. Ahem.

Now, even though my Father's side of the family was Canadian-French, he was adopted by an Irish family, so I can agree for the need for the next Pope to be one from the Blarney Stone, as it were. Wouldn't it be wonderful if he were named right on St. Patrick's Day, to boot? That would be historic to remember for sure.

I think the pastor was referring to some of the worst elements of Irish spirituality in the U.S. in the late 19th to mid-20th centuries. The superstition, morbid spirituality, sacharine hymns, and tendency toward scruples. The German parishes had a different mindset.

Perhaps the American could be Cardinal Sean O'Malley. Boston was one of the worst areas affected by the sexual abuses. I am fearful that the College will downplay the horrifying affect of the crisis on he present loss of faith in the West. It is as traumatic as the indulgences scandal in launching the Protestant Rebellion, in mu humble opinion.

Electing a Pope from a Communist-dominated region was a brilliant move by the College, and a blessing from God. This College will make the proper choice, guided by the Holy Spirit. Ireland is Ground Zero for the sex abuse crisis, and also a nation plagued by economic hyper-individualism and western secularism.

And most especially, loss of faith due to secular domination and from the sex abuse crisis.

This is not the year for Africa or Asia. Those churches will continue to grow, by leaps and bounds. The Church of Ireland is emblematic of the Western Church in decline.

This is all fine and dandy but chances of it happening are as Father O'Duddleswell would say:

"slighter than the little wee vest that clings to the inside of an eggshell"

But, good luck, we're all going to need it.

It's going to be Archbishop Christopher, Cardinal, Schonborn of Austria. Orthodox and Eastern Catholics could not ask for a more sympathetic voice from a "westerner" to be the new Bishop of Rome. Not bad for Latins either, as he is brilliant and dynamic. It was so good to see him march in Vienna with his Coptic brother bishops in protest against persecution of Christians in Egypt. It is my understanding that he organized the protest.

Right, after all, he IS Irish-American. Also, there was a news story recently about Cardinal O'Malley having origins in my area of the country, since he was the pastor of a Lakewood, OH area RC Church before moving to Pennsylvania, where he became Bishop O'Malley, then moved up the ranks, and became Cardinal Archbishop of Boston. Nice to know about his local roots, though. I'll definitely be in his corner.

Its been a long time ago but the GC's may not have forgotten their reception here from the mainly Irish bishops who unlike their counterparts in Central Europe had no understanding for the GC's who came here and formed the majority of the ROGC Church. Sometimes I wonder if there is not a trace of "jansenism" among the Irish clergy still? Maybe an Irish or Irish-American is not the best choice, maybe not even a Brit!

Very true and first thing I noticed being stationed in Bavaria over a span of 18 years. I saw none of the narrow-mindedness and puritanical attitudes anyplace in Bavaria or Austria but did see a deep attachment to their Faith and customs. Lots of "fests" and processions all the time. And a lot of German in the liturgy a long time before Vatican II.