habemus papam

As a person of the Mosaic persuasion, the choice of Pope should be a matter of indifference to me. To some extent it is, though after the papacy of John Paul II everyone is a bit more interested in the office and the papal election process. I have no idea whether the new Pope - formerly known as Cardinal Ratzinger - will be able to do as much for the office as his predecessor. It is well nigh certain that his reign will not be as long, as the man is already 78 years old. What really piqued my interest today was the unanimous bleating of the media about the new Pope's conservatism and lack of "progressive" ideas.

Right across the dial on both TV and radio, as well as on talk shows - talking heads, callers, punters and all manner of assorted experts verily foamed at the mouth about the lack of progress in the Catholic church, the refusal to acknowledge the 21. century, the percieved inability of the institution to deal with such hot button issues as same sex marriage, condom distribution in Africa and other problems near and dear to the liberal heart.

The "problem" with the new Pope and with the Catholic church is that it's not interested in dealing with issues near and dear to the liberal heart. The bailiwick of the Catholic church is eternal truth - not political correctness or a desire to be liked and accepted or a need to adapt to "modernity". The point is not whether we like it or not or whether we disagree with it or not or whether we think that the Church will lose priests or alienate followers or shed nuns. The Church is not a hobby club or a support group or a popularity contest. As far as the hierarchy of the Church is concerned there is only one thing that is important and those are the teachings of Christ.

As I said: this is not my religion and not something that I lose sleep over (I have plenty of other issues to lose sleep over) But I can't help but emit a good chuckle when I hear this liberal indignation all around me. Gosh-darn-it...yet another conservative Pope! Yet another obstacle to a perfect world as envisaged by the mavens of "modern" intelligentsia! Quelle scandal!!