en en en en en en en en en es en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en es en en en en en en en en en en ru en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en es en en en es en es en en en en en es en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en fr en en fr en en en en en nl en en es en en en en en en en en en en de en sv en en de en en en en en de en en it en en en en en en en en en en en en
Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini famously said that in August 2012, just a couple of weeks before he died at age 85.
In what was labeled his last spiritual testament, the Jesuit scripture scholar and former Archbishop of Milan said the Catholic Church was tired and listless; its clergy dressed pompously and its places of worship cavernous and empty.
"The Church is 200 years behind the times," he lamented. "Why doesn't it rouse itself? Are we afraid? Afraid rather than courageous?"
Seven months after Martini made his cri de coeur, another Jesuit by the name of Jorge Mario Bergoglio – he, too, an archbishop of a major diocese, but from the South American country of Argentina – was elected Bishop of Rome.
In the nearly seven years since he appeared before the world as history's first pope named Francis, he has – in many ways – sought to bring the Church up to pace with the Catholic people of this age and the rapidly changing world.
How has he done so far?
Being dragged, kicking and screaming…
"The pope is dragging the Church, kicking and screaming, into the 20thcentury," a friend likes to remind me.
My friend is a former Franciscan who is now a senior Anglican priest. He has a very dry, and sometimes ironic, sense of humor. So, yes, he's well aware that we are already two decades into the 21stcentury.
So by his estimation, Pope Francis is half way there in closing the 200-year gap that Martini indicated.
And the sentiments of many Catholics – and others – seem to concur. Proof of this has been the various reactions to the pope's new rescript to abolish the "pontifical secret" regarding clergy sex abuse.
While some commentators called it a "monumental" and "historic" development, others derided it as a public relations scheme and something that doesn't really change much of anything.
What good is eliminating secrecy, one complained, if in places like Italy – where the pope is the head of the national Church – bishops and priests are still not required by ecclesiastical or civil legislation to report abuse to law enforcement authorities?
Prying things open or just smoke and mirrors?
Then there are the reactions to Francis' efforts toward financial reform at the Vatican. Many in the old guard believe he has gone too far in trying to bring transparency to institutions that have long operated as if they were offshore banks. Others think the Argentine pope's financial reforms are all smoke and mirrors.
And what about the pastoral reforms this pontificate has tried to introduce? For instance, he has asked the Church's ministers to change the way they care for the divorced and remarried, people in other "irregular" marriage (or marriage-like) situations, as well as gays and lesbians.
He has also called for more incisive presence of women at all levels of the Church's decision-making levels. And he's opened up new studies on women deacons, including through a pontifical commission that he's promised to re-commission.
But have things really changed much for women in the Church? I'm not sure many of them think so, especially those who are young.
But there sure are a lot of clerics (and clericalist laypeople) who are bemoaning – and condemning – the fact that the pope has even opened up these issues to change.
Most everyone would have to agree that Francis is moving the Church forward, even very slowly. In some ways, he's doing it in the manner that his late Jesuit confrere prescribed.
In his final interview Cardinal Martini recommended "three very strong instruments" for healing the Church from its exhaustion and overcoming the 200-year credibility gap.
Conversion is the first and most important instrument
"The church must recognize its errors and follow a radical path of change, beginning with the pope and the bishops. The pedophilia scandals compel us to take up a path of conversion," he said.
"Questions about sexuality, and all the themes involving the body, are an example. These are important to everyone, sometimes perhaps too important," Martini mused.
But he said they were a great challenge to the Church's credibility.
"We have to ask ourselves if people still listen to the advice of the Church on sexual matters. Is the Church still an authoritative reference in this field, or simply a caricature in the media?" he wondered.
Engaging with the Word of God and learning discernment
The late cardinal said the second instrument for reforming the Church is Sacred Scripture.
"Vatican Council II gave the Bible back to Catholics… Only those who perceive this Word in their heart can be part of those who will help achieve renewal of the Church, and who will know how to respond to personal questions with the right choice," Martini insisted.
"The Word of God is simple, and seeks to be a companion to a heart that listens. ... Neither the clergy nor ecclesiastical law can take the place of the inner life of the human person," he continued.
"All the external rules, laws and dogmas are there to clarify this internal voice and for the discernment of spirits," Martini emphasized.
The sacraments: help for those in need
The third instrument of healing and reform, the late cardinal noted, are the Church's sacraments.
"The sacraments are not an instrument of discipline, but a help for people in their journey and in the weaknesses of their life," he said.
"Are we bringing the sacraments to the people who need new strength? I think of all the divorced and remarried couples... They need special protection... If the parents feel like they're outside the Church, or don't feel its support, the Church will lose the next generation," he predicted.
"The question of whether the divorced can receive Communion ought to be turned around. How can the Church help people in complicated family situations with the power of the sacraments?" he wondered
A poor Church for the poor, led by outsiders
Cardinal Martini, who was one of global Catholicism's most credible spiritual leaders during his 22 years as the archbishop of Europe's largest diocese, was adamant that the Church needed to change.
"I advise the pope and the bishops to find twelve people who are complete outsiders for administrative positions," he said.
He actually said people who are fuori dalle righe(literally, "outside the lines") who are "close to the very poorest and are surrounded by young people who are trying new things."
Pope Francis said from the start of his pontificate that he dreamed of a poor Church for the poor. He is a Vatican outsider – the first pope since Saint Pius X (1903-1914) – who never studied or worked in Rome. And he has begun to bring in other outsiders to take up administrative posts in the Roman Curia.
Those anxious for change, reform, renewal and the actualization of John XXIII's call for aggiornamento (or up-dating) are probably not completely satisfied with the small steps forward that Francis has made so far.
But those who want no change and who cling to static structures and ways of doing (or not doing) things are actually distraught that the pope has taken even these modest steps.
That's because they know that once things begin to move forward, there is no going back.
Follow me on Twitter @robinrome
Get the latest from La Croix International. Sign up to receive our daily newsletter.
You may also like
Playing good Samaritan to abandoned patients
Increase peace efforts, say South Sudan Church leaders in Christmas message
Nativity scene is 'like a living Gospel,' pope says
Germany talks tough on conversion therapies
Vegetable vendor offers unique Christmas sale in Lahore
SUPPORT LA CROIX INTERNATIONAL’S COMMUNITY OF READERS
Support La Croix International's unique blend of international Catholic journalism by making it available to people in Asia and Africa who can't afford a subscription and often don't have credit cards to pay for it either.
The elderly pope's patience is put to the test
Francis continues his push for a humbler, more open Church
The pope and the praying menace
What was the August meeting of cardinals really about?
Why Pope Francis did not attend Queen Elizabeth’s funeral
Celebrating gay relationships in church is actually quite Catholic
The elderly pope's patience is put to the test
Elizabeth II, the “last Christian monarch”, has died
A challenge for Europe
Shaking up the economy
Peace, our common good
For 70 years she “was” the United Kingdom
Cooperation rather than competition
Vatican "foreign minister" calls for a world without nuclear weapons
Indian Christians cower under anti-religious conversion laws
Catholic bishops in Peru address refugee issue
Water-borne diseases add to Pakistan’s flood woes
"Vote according to your conscience", bishops tell Brazilians
Is Christian hospitality enough?
"What fraternity does assisted suicide build?"
Live, learn, forget, repeat
When timing is paramount
The pandemic, Christian faith and the perils of kids living in the digital world
"It’s been powerful to watch people enunciate a theology of care for creation"
Laudato si’ guides Indian archdiocese to help fisherfolk
Brazilian bishops stand up for the Yanomami people
The Gaia Man, James Lovelock
Pope calls for a new relationship with God, others and Creation
| Catholic Digest | UCAN | Living in faith | La Croix Africa | La Croix español
About Us | Contact Us| Newsletter Sign-up| Donate| Terms and Conditions| FAQ| La Croix| Confidentiality Policy| Sitemap