|
| |
What issues confront Pope Benedict XVI?
The biggest problem he faces is within the church -- the fight between liberals and conservatives. He has to ensure that growing divisive forces within the church are arrested; at the same time, he has to strictly enforce orthodox policies.
He has to fervently pursue relations with other Christian denominations, especially with the Orthodox churches.
He has to restore the church's possibly permanently damaged credibility after the priest sex abuse scandals that have also cost it millions of dollars in settlements in the United States and elsewhere.
He has to spread the church's pro-life campaign across the world. During the 2004 American presidential campaign, Cardinal Ratzinger described homosexuality as a 'tendency' towards an 'intrinsic moral evil.' He also called for pro-choice politicians like the Democratic party candidate, the Catholic John Kerry, to be denied Communion.
He needs to add more numbers to the church, which has been hit by a chronic shortage of priests and nuns in the West and also stop people from leaving the Catholic faith because they believe it does not connect with them anymore.
Photograph: Andreas Solaro/AFP/Getty Images
Also read: Cardinals can't run Papal office
|