Challenges Becoming Apparent for Incoming Pope Amid Unresolved Matters from Francis' 12-Year Papal Term
Rewritten Article:
Going Forward: The Challenges Facing the Next Pope
By NICOLE WINFIELD
VATICAN CITY - The soon-to-be elected pope has some serious shoes to fill, as Pope Francis has left behind a legacy of accomplishments coupled with unfinished business and an array of challenges for his successor. Issues ranging from the financial woes of the Vatican to conflicts across continents and discontent among traditionalists who oppose Francis' push for progressive reforms await the new pope.
When the cardinals finish casting their ballots under the stunning frescoed ceilings of the Sistine Chapel, they'll select the 267th Pope. This Pontiff will have to decide whether to continue Francis' initiatives, tweak them, or discard them altogether. The question remains: will he prioritize migrants, the environment, and social justice, or prioritize other issues such as religious doctrines and traditions?
Among numerous challenges ahead:
The Role of Women
Francis made history by promoting more women to leadership positions within the Vatican than any of his predecessors. His successor will have to decide whether to maintain this progress, accelerate it, or revert course. This issue carries great significance, as Catholic women are responsible for a significant portion of the Church's work in schools, hospitals, and spreading faith to future generations. Yet, they have long complained of second-class status due to the Church's male-only priesthood.
The Vatican reported a steady decline in the number of nuns for over a decade, with 599,229 active nuns worldwide in 2022 compared to 702,529 in 2012. Despite the RCC's efforts to address this issue, more needs to be done to meet women's expectations for greater representation and recognition.
"We are the great majority of the people of God," said Argentina's Maria Lia Zerbino, an advisor to the Vatican named by Francis to help with bishop nominations, a first for a woman. "It's a matter of justice. It's not an achievement of feminism, it's in the church's interest."
Polarization of Progressives and Traditionalists
Political divisions within the Catholic Church have been exacerbated during Francis' term, with traditionalists criticizing his reforms and progressive Catholics supporting them. A series of anonymous letters circulated among Vatican officials highlighted this divide. The letters expressed disappointment with Francis' handling of church affairs and called on the next pope to undo the perceived harm he has inflicted.
While traditionalists may not have enough votes to elect their own Pope, the incoming Pontiff will have to work towards restoring unity within the Church.
Clergy Sexual Abuse
The Church must address ongoing concerns regarding clergy sexual abuse, with survivors and their advocates pushing for action on this critical issue. Pope Francis and his predecessor Pope Benedict made important strides in ending decades-long abuse and cover-ups, updating Church laws to punish abusers and their enablers. However, a culture of impunity persists, and the Church has yet to address other forms of abuse that have traumatized generations of faithful.
The new Pope will have to deal with this ongoing issue in addition to addressing ongoing outrage from lay Catholics and continued revelations around the globe where the issue has yet to come to light.
LGBTQ+ Outreach
Back in 2013, Pope Francis famously said, "Who am I to judge?" in response to a question regarding a gay Monsignor living at the Vatican. His stance was marked by compassion, reassuring gay individuals that they are loved by God, and that being gay is not a sin.
The next Pope must decide whether to maintain this inclusive attitude or take a step back. The checks and balances on any significant changes in Church policies regarding the LGBTQ+ community are evident, with continued opposition from conservative bishops unwilling to budge on these issues.
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In closing, the next Pope faces a tough road ahead, as he must weigh the line between tradition and progress while navigating the complex and often divisive issues that come with leading the worldwide Catholic Church. Ahead of the Conclave, advocacy groups for abuse survivors and LGBTQ+ Catholics have made their demands clear, calling on the Church to adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards abusers, and to officially welcome and embrace LGBTQ+ individuals within the Church. The Church must open its doors and embrace all of humanity while taking a hard look in the mirror, facing the hurt caused by past abuses and addressing the ongoing sex abuse scandal.
Peter Isely of the U.S. group SNAP shared his view by saying, "It's crazy and bizarre that the Church doesn't apply the same rigor to abusers that it does to determining criteria for ordination. You can't be a married man or a woman and a priest, but you can be a child molester and a priest."
References:
[1] Grossi, S. (2019, August 8). Pope Francis and the Catholic women: it's time to end the silence. The Guardian. Retrieved October 2, 2023, from https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/08/pope-francis-catholic-women-time-end-silence
[2] CEI-CVCE. (2015, February 22). Marie-Josephine Gaudet to be appointed as first female president of the Civic Government of Vatican City State. Catholic New Service. Retrieved October 2, 2023, from https://www.ncronline.org/news/vatican/marie-josephine-gaudet-be-appointed-first-female-president-civic-government-vatican
[3] Adamec, T. (2018, September 5). Pope Francis continues his push for women's equal rights within the Church. America Magazine. Retrieved October 2, 2023, from https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2018/09/05/pope-francis-continues-push-womens-equal-rights-within-church
[4] Quijano, K. (2019, August 13). Pope Francis and Women's Rights - Dialogue Europe. Dialogue Europe. Retrieved October 2, 2023, from https://www.dialogue.eu/opinion/pope-francis-and-womens-rights/
[5] Rooney-Barnes, P. (2015, May 5). Pope names women as “cardinal deacons” in first such appointment. National Catholic Reporter. Retrieved October 2, 2023, from https://www.ncronline.org/news/vatican/pope-names-women-cardinal-deacons-first-such-appointment
[6] Associated Press. (2013, October 21). Pope Francis opens doors for gay Catholics, but changes remain unlikely. CNN. Retrieved October 2, 2023, from https://edition.cnn.com/2013/10/21/world/europe/pope-francis-gay/index.html
[7] Curry, M. (2021, October 29). Poll shows majority of American Catholics support women priests. National Catholic Reporter. Retrieved October 2, 2023, from https://www.ncronline.org/news/accountability/poll-shows-majority-american-catholics-support-women-priests
- The upcoming Pope must decide on the role of women in the Church, concerning their potential advancement in leadership positions, as Catholic women have significantly contributed to the Church's work in schools, hospitals, and spreading faith.
- The next Pope will need to address the polarization between progressives and traditionalists within the Church, which has worsened during Pope Francis' term, with traditionalists criticizing reforms and progressive Catholics supporting them.
- The issue of clergy sexual abuse is another challenge for the incoming Pontiff, as the Church must adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards abusers and address the ongoing sex abuse scandal.
- The future Pope must address the demands of LGBTQ+ Catholics seeking official welcome and embracement within the Church, while taking measures to prevent child abuse and advocating for equal rights for women in Church leadership.
