Church reform plan. How should the next Pope be?
Theologians have outlined what Benedict XVI’s successor should be like, in a document which has so far been signed by two thousand theologians across the world.
Its first signatories were prestigious theologians such as Paul Knitter, Mgr. Calsaldáliga, Hans Küng, Leonardo Boff, Peter Phan and Paul Collins.
The next Pope is being asked to combat the “current stagnation” and counter resistance from sections of the Church hierarchy that are hindering the implementation of the Second Vatican Council.
“The papacy’s role needs to be clearly redefined in line with Christ’s intentions. As supreme pastor, unifying figure and the main witness of the faith, the Pope’s contribution to the good of the universal Church is key, theologians write. But his authority should never obscure, diminish or suppress the authentic authority Christ gave directly to all the people of God.”
Furthermore, “bishops are vicars of Christ, not the Pope’s vicars. They have direct responsibility for the people and the dioceses and a shared responsibility along with other bishops and the Pope for the universal community of the Catholic faith.” The bishops’ central synod, the documents reads, “should play a more decisive role in planning and guiding the conservation and growth of faith in our complex world.”
The Second Vatican Council “called for collegiality and a joint sense of responsibility on all levels. This was not implemented. The various presbyteral and pastoral councils set up during the Council should involve faithful more directly in terms of decisions regarding the formulation of doctrine, the exercise of the pastoral ministry and evangelisation in the context of our century-old society.”
“The practice of filling leadership positions in the Church solely with candidates that have a specific mindset, needs to stop. New regulations should be formulated and monitored to ensure that individuals are elected to these posts in a fair, transparent and - as far as possible - democratic manner.”
“The Roman Curia is in need of a more radical reform in line with the instructions and the vision set out by the Second Vatican Council. The Curia’s role should be limited to useful administrative and executive tasks.”
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith should be assisted by international commissions of experts chosen independently, on the basis of their professional competency.
“The Church should exercise authority in accordance with the standards of openness, responsibility and democracy achieved in modern society. Leadership should be fair and credible, inspired by humility and service, with transparent concern for the people, rather than for rules and discipline. It should be a reflection of Christ who gives us freedom and it should listen to the Spirit of Christ which speaks and acts through each and every one of us.”
This is not an exhaustive list of the changes that need to be made.
“We are aware of the fact that the implementation of these structural changes need to be outlined in detail, taking into account the possibilities and limitations of current and future circumstances. WE wish to underline, however, that the reforms summarised in this document are urgent and steps should be taken immediately to implement them.”
At the end of the document, Hans Kung stresses that “the nationality of the next Pope is irrelevant.”
What matters is that he does not end up becoming a slave to Rome and the Curia. Ratzinger was not from Rome but ended up becoming more Roman that the Romans themselves and the Curia. If a foreign Pope becomes integrated into the Curia system, his origin is of no use.”