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Faith Alive!-No. 13 BIBLE Mar-24-2008 (485 words) xxxe
Why the papacy matters to all Americans
“While the papacy seems unchanged and unchangeable, it is a constantly evolving position, adjusting and readjusting to developments in the church and in the world,” says Father W. Thomas Faucher. (CNS/Reuters) |
By Father W. Thomas Faucher
Catholic News Service
Almost alone, reduced to an irrelevant player in power and influence, Pope Pius VI died in July 1799 a prisoner in a citadel in Valance, France. "At his death ... many assumed that the destruction of the Holy See had at last been accomplished" (Oxford Dictionary of the Popes). The pope was buried in a makeshift grave with only a few spectators.
Surrounded by loved ones and staff, Pope John Paul II, one of the most influential figures of the 20th century, died in 2005 in Rome. His funeral was attended by kings, royalty, presidents and hundreds of thousands of the faithful, and was watched on television by millions.
The papacy continues to enjoy confidence and respect, and what happened to the role of the pope between 1799 and 2005 is the subject of many books.
The papacy's complicated history is one of tragedies and triumphs. The most searing event was the loss of the Papal States and political power. But even that was to most historians one of the great gifts to the papacy and to the church.
As the papacy lost temporal power, it gained moral power. Great popes such as Leo XIII broke new moral ground with great social encyclicals such as "Rerum Novarum," and holy popes such as Benedict XV and Pius XI tried to stop World Wars I and II from happening.
Pope John XXIII and Paul VI were among the most admired people on earth and they were listened to by Catholics and non-Catholics alike. And Pope John Paul II was a superstar.
While the papacy seems unchanged and unchangeable, it is a constantly evolving position, adjusting and readjusting to developments in the church and in the world.
Pope Pius VI would find many of the clothes, rituals and customs of today's popes reasonably the same, but he would find the responsibilities of today's pope almost incomprehensible.
Why does the role of the pope matter? Why is Pope Benedict XVI's imminent visit to America important for American Catholics and all Americans?
While the office of pope has changed, the reality of the papacy has not: His responsibility is to teach, govern and sanctify the whole church.
As teacher, the pope upholds the Gospel of Jesus Christ and its consequences for the entire world. As he governs, he symbolizes and promotes church unity. And as sanctifier the pope stands for the holiness of the church united with Christ.
Americans want the pope to visit. They want to see him, hear him and learn from him. They also want him to listen to them and understand their needs.
What those who rejoiced in the death of Pope Pius VI did not understand is that the office of pope is divinely created. It will endure amid constant changes until the end of the church itself.
Welcome, Pope Benedict XVI!
(Father Faucher is pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Boise, Idaho.)
END
Copyright (c) 2008 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed.
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