Douthat on the Pope's Critics | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: This article MSW refers to tries to unpack the conservatism of the Pope's critics, in response to a piece i the New Republic. First we have the Trads, who long for the return of the Latin Mass. In the past few years, the ban on the Extraordinary Rite has been lifted, although Francis does not sound like he is much of a fan. It would not matter if the only question were giving certain older Catholics what they want. Indeed, with the latest changes to the Roman Missal and the translations thereof, there is very little difference in the essentials of the Latin version and the English version (and with your spirit). Indeed, I could bring my Loras College Manual Missal from the 30s to Mass today and be able to mostly follow it - save for the fequent references to St. Michael the Archangel. Amazing how much they mention an angel known for humility - someone is missing the point.
Even with this victory, I suspect that the Trads want more - and they want it before they die off (which is not long). Latin, of course, is the obvious first point, with the Altar facing the back next (although I am not sure I like the theology of treating the host like an item for worship rather than a vehicle for true worship in Communion), but then comes getting women off the altar (never would they be allowed into the priesthood - a mistake too - since the best gospel of life advocate would be an ordained woman -like Elizabeth Stoker Bruenig - that the same crew resists tells us everything we need to know) and back under the veil (yes before the new Mass, all female heads were covered). Latin would be an inconvenience and Altar placement, interior decorating but it is the treatment of women that makes them more than quaint, to say the least.
Next we have the economic and political conservatives, mainly in the U.S, who fear what Francis says about Capitalism and what he will say about the environment. They certainly have the resources to be loud and they are more the paid thought leaders than the members of the movement - although they do have a following - which may or may not include some Catholic conservatives - many of whom are pro-life, which links them into the whole Republican attack machine. What is important here is not the theological or even the economic argument (which they lose because the Austrian economics they so love has no traction beyond their echo chamber) - but that they ae bought and paid for by industry - from Charles and David Koch to Roger Ailes and his network, FoxNews. Of course, truth does not belog to the loudest - although the loud can try to drown it out occassionally. They have, so far, not done so with Barack Obama and Pope Francis (if you cringe at thei grouping, you are part of the problem - you can figure out which way).
Lastly we have the heirarchy - the Burke's and Chaput's of the world (although it seems Cardinal Dolan has gotten the message of Cardinal O'Malley becoming part of the group of 8 and not him). Douthat notes that in the Church and outside, lesser known figures shout the loudest, while those with something to lose are more discrete. Whether this is respect or careerism, I will let the reader judge. They speak both on economics and the environment as well as the bi-Synodal discussion on marriage and the family (with a final report not as radical as the interim report - maybe Francis and company are less liberal than many fear - or won't appear that way in the end). What happens in the end may depend on what feedback is received on these issues in the interim. Whether such feedback is recieved without filter is up to the local bishops - which is not so encouraging - and the local faithful who must find the avenues of expression and use them.
Of course, in the end, the faithful will make their desires known, Cardinal Kaspar and or the Synod agreeing or disagreeing, process or no process, pope or not pope. Those who most resist will die off and the next conservatives may well yet use Vatican II as the standard of the good old days. Something must be done for those who are Catholic who divorce and remarry - whether they simply join a Protestant sect or become unchurched depends on how they respond to the call of Christ. My former wife's mother, who is also divorced and is married to someon who is (and is not Catholic) goes to Communion each week. Unless she is directly and personally told that even a blessing of their current union (which considered the death of my wife's father but not the survival of her husbands ex-wife) she will continue to go (how do you force a non-Catholic ex to get an annullment?).
I am not arguing doctrine - but that the doctrine is made by the people who present themselves for Communion. Teddy Kennedy, who was a public person, felt he needed an annulment to go to Communion. Most don't, so the challenge is not to allow or not allow taking Communion - but to make room for the fact that it occurs. Gay marriage is the same way. Parents and siblings of those married will throw a party, if possible and those married may even find an Episcopal or resigned Catholic Priest to hear their vows, but the theology of marriage is that it is the couple who makes that marriage - not the Church who is a witness. As some point the Church will realize that gay Catholics are as likely to marry as non-Catholics and that the world has not collapsed (and that gay priests are likely blessing these civil marriages anyway. The people will speak on this, regardless of how many conservative Catholics take to the blogospher and the Church will adapt - as it always does (look how many Catholic-Jewish weddings it has witnessed and blessed - never would have happened when my parents wed).
Conservatives complain because they are more aware of their morality and more desparate for adherents to carry on their views. In many cases, those views may be carred on anyway - but they will be carried on in new language, possibly using the words but not necessarily the meaning of the past. Its why they shout to much. For spiritually exercised Catholics, we have the faith to know that God's will is going to happen anyway - maybe not this minute but eventually. It is why we smile so much.
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