Excursus: The Pope

This is not exactly the topic I had planned to write about, but it is appropriate to the events. Lately, there's been an awful lot going on about the pope. Well, he will have been pope for five years tomorrow, so I guess that's appropriate, too. But I'd like to interact with some things being said. A popular 'topic' over here is the list of controversies since he's been pope, and I don't see why a lot of them are (controversies, that is).

So here goes:

First, that it was such surprise, what he preached on as pope the first World Youth Day - about the church being inviting, and that Christianity changes lives, rather than what one may and may not do, or about sexual morality. "One would not expect this from such a defender of the faith" was said over this. What? I'm sorry, he preached the core of Christianity, instead of legalism, so good for him!

Second, his quote about Islam - though it might not be politically correct today, the God of Christianity is not that of the Muslims, and we don't have common ground. He could even have made it his own express opinion, without being untrue to his post. The world just doesn't like it.

Third, the statement about the Protestants. Well, in his opinion, any church that's not Roman Catholic can't by definition be a church. He didn't say we're not Christians. I even see it the other way around - that the Catholics are a church in error, and so not the true church, but just the same I don't say they're not Christians. The pope and I would agree to disagree here, and yet meet in Christian love.

Fourth, the Good Friday prayer for the Jews. What's the big deal about that? A Christian prays fervently for everyone, that they recognize Christ as the savior. Jews included. So it's not saying anything different than the entire message of Christianity! If you take issue with this prayer, you have to take issue with the entire faith.

Fifth, the Pius-Brothers and Robinson. I'm relatively sure that the reabsorption was a church government thing, and unconnected to Robinson's statements on the Holocaust. As he should, the pope leaves the judging of crime regarding denying the Holocaust to the secular government (who, rightly, found Robinson guilty and fined him).

Sixth, the sex-abuse scandal. The pope takes a lot of heat here in Germany for not making comments on the situation. I'm sorry, is it concluded? Have the police even charged people yet? Or are they still investigating? (Here's a clue - to my knowledge no one has been officially charged yet!). The pope can't comment on something still open like this. Once guilt is proven, sure - but on plain accusation? Anyone can accuse, and the pope won't comment until the truths of the accusations are known.

Lastly, the church-renewing movement, this idea to allow female and married priests. You're not going to change the faith unless you convince the leadership out of scripture, and for Catholics, tradition. I as a Protestant wouldn't want pure human opinion to change my church! So respect to the pope, that he's not a weak political creature, craving approval, that he would be moved by petitions and protests, but remains true to what he believes.

So let's stop judging Christians, all Christians, by worldly standards, and judge them by the standards of Christ. Even when I disagree with the pope on some, or many positions he holds, I'm glad that he defends what he thinks is right, and stands up for Christ.