So, as promised, Mick and I went to our local pub last night to have a few pints celebrating my new employment. I got to the place first, and there was only one other person there, and he left almost as soon as I sat down. After Mick arrived, we only saw two other people come into the bar for the rest of the night we were there... in other words, a very quiet night for the barkeep.
One of those two people that patroned the pub was a man named Dominic, who lives in the little village where the bar is (a very picturesque little hamlet on a beautiful lake in the hills). Neither Mick nor I had ever met Dom before, but he became involved in a conversation that we were having about the state of the Roman Catholic Church today.
For those that don't know, Mick is from Ireland, and Ireland is embroiled in a degree of scandal and controversy over sexual abuse by priests that is amazing even by American media standards. That got the conversation started, and from there our new friend Dom gave us his opinions, and one of them has had me thinking all night.
Dom is from France, but has lived here in the States since '72 (if my memory serves). He was raised Catholic, but doesn't seem to practice anymore (no details there... so don't ask). However, he was very well informed about Church history, and certainly had a very well-founded understanding of the Papacy, at least over the last 100 years.
Anyway, he made the observation that, according to his friends and family still in France, our current Pope, Benedict XVI, isn't very popular in France. At least, not when compared to the popularity enjoyed by his predecessor, John Paul II. What kept me pondering all night and into this morning was Dom's opinion on why this is the case.
According to Dominic, John Paul II's popularity was based on the fact that he was so different from the other Popes of the XX Century, in that he wasn't considered part of the "intelligentsia" of the Church. He came from a poor Polish family, and while his education and learning is undeniably strong, it wasn't the foundation of his character, the way it was for so many other Popes of the "modern era".
To further make his case, he used the second most-beloved Pope of the 20th Century as another example... Angelo Roncalli, known now as John XXIII. He was born the son of a sharecropper on a farm that, according to himself, produced more rocks than anything else. Again, the Church provided Angelo with a first-class education in history (after he served in WWI as a sergeant-chaplain)... but he didn't have any of the grooming or scholastic foundation that so many of the aristocratic Popes had prior to becoming a Cardinal-Bishop.
These two Popes (John Paul II and John XXIII) shared a degree of global love and admiration that is, in my opinion, unparalleled in the last 120 years. Now, I'm not suggesting that other Popes weren't popular during their reigns, and even after, but I don't think anyone would argue that these two stand out from the crowd.
Is it because they were two "hicks" from the outside? Is it because the world could see they were just "average Joe's" with real insight and experience into the nature of what the common man was experiencing during their reigns? Did the fact that neither attended University factor into the equation?
Benedict XVI has had some issues with the manner in which he is presented by the press since his elevation to the Papacy... is this because he is too much the "book-worm" and not seen as having an understanding of the common man that John Paul II had?
Anyway... just sharing my thoughts because I'm bored and waiting for the wife to get motivated and moving. It should be noted though, that, if my musings are correct, then it certainly give all of us here at the Bund a mountain of hope. None of us have finished school yet, either... so we're in good company in regards to popes.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
I'm not Catholic but I work with a Catholic high school so have some understanding of this. Along with general knowledge of the topic.
I would say, without a doubt, that JP II was so popular because of his blue collar roots. Obviously, he had the respect of the higher ups in the Catholic hierarchy and his relationship with the masses seems to be a major reason for his Papal ascendancy.
I can still remember when he became Pope (I believe I was in sixth grade) and he was not even someone the media discussed as a candidate for the position. His elevation to Pope seemed to surprise many.
At the same time, Benedict XVI has a tough act to follow and does not have the background of his predecessor, something which has been readily apparent at times.
Now, as for waiting for your wife to get motivated ... I'm sure if she knows there's a glass of wine waiting at the end of the day, she'll be a little more motivated.
Congrats and good luck on the new job!
Post a Comment