Thomas Cahill - The Price of Infallibility (Pope JP II)

[realFedUp]

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/05/opinion/cahill.html

April 5, 2005
OP-ED CONTRIBUTOR
The Price of Infallibility
By THOMAS CAHILL

WITH the news media awash in encomiums to the indisputable greatness of Pope John Paul II, isn't it time to ask to which tradition he belonged? Partisans unfamiliar with Christian history may judge this a strange question. Why, they may answer, he belonged to the Catholic tradition, of course. But there is no single Catholic tradition; there are rather Catholic traditions, which range from the voluntary poverty of St. Francis of Assisi to the boundless greed of the Avignon popes, from the genial tolerance for diversity of Pope Gregory the Great in the sixth century to the egomaniacal self-importance of Pope Pius IX in the 19th century, from the secrecy and plotting of Opus Dei to the openness and humane service of the Community of Sant'Egidio. Over its 2,000-year history, Roman Catholicism has provided a fertile field for an immense variety of papal traditions.

snip

But John Paul II's most lasting legacy to Catholicism will come from the episcopal appointments he made. In order to have been named a bishop, a priest must have been seen to be absolutely opposed to masturbation, premarital sex, birth control (including condoms used to prevent the spread of AIDS), abortion, divorce, homosexual relations, married priests, female priests and any hint of Marxism. It is nearly impossible to find men who subscribe wholeheartedly to this entire catalogue of certitudes; as a result the ranks of the episcopate are filled with mindless sycophants and intellectual incompetents. The good priests have been passed over; and not a few, in their growing frustration as the pontificate of John Paul II stretched on, left the priesthood to seek fulfillment elsewhere.

The situation is dire. Anyone can walk into a Catholic church on a Sunday and see pews, once filled to bursting, now sparsely populated with gray heads. And there is no other solution for the church but to begin again, as if it were the church of the catacombs, an oddball minority sect in a world of casual cruelty and unbending empire that gathered adherents because it was so unlike the surrounding society.

Sadly, John Paul II represented a different tradition, one of aggressive papalism. Whereas John XXIII endeavored simply to show the validity of church teaching rather than to issue condemnations, John Paul II was an enthusiastic condemner. Yes, he will surely be remembered as one of the few great political figures of our age, a man of physical and moral courage more responsible than any other for bringing down the oppressive, antihuman Communism of Eastern Europe. But he was not a great religious figure. How could he be? He may, in time to come, be credited with destroying his church.


Thomas Cahill is the author of "How the Irish Saved Civilization," "Pope John XXIII" and, most recently, "Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea: Why the Greeks Matter."

[Demit]

1. Nice article. Puts this pope into much-needed context.

I especially like this part:

'...In using ekklesia to describe their church, the early Christians meant to emphasize that their society within a society acted not out of political power but only out of the power of love, love for all as equal children of God. But they went much further than the Athenians, for they permitted no restrictions on participation: no citizens and noncitizens, no Greeks and non-Greeks, no patriarchs and submissive females. For, as St. Paul put it repeatedly, "There is no longer Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; for all are one in Christ Jesus." "

[meg]

5. Thanks for the post

Great article!

[regnaD kciN]

32. Thank you, Thomas Cahill!

:yourock:

Reading his column was a liberating experience...realizing that I wasn't the only one thinking these things.

As I've said before, I have to honor JPII for the courage of his convictions. I'm sure he acted sincerely in the belief that he was doing what God wanted. Nonetheless, being sincere is not the same as being right, and this Pope was wrong on most of the actions detailed in this article -- actions which, I fear, will turn out to be his legacy.

It's been dismaying, reading the typical gushing tributes over the past few days. It seems as if, in many cases, the authors were being dazzled by JPII's populist style and undoubtable charisma, to the point of turning a blind eye on the substance of his papacy, which, to me, was the exact opposite of dazzling -- in fact, it played a large if not determinative part in why I'm, sadly, an ex-Roman Catholic. (And maybe the saddest part of all is that I'm no longer sure if that "sadly" applies anymore.)

[komplex]

2. Typical Nonsense...

While there are problems with the RCC, but when a guy says go into any church and find it empty obviously is going to all white parishes, but then again, the NYTimes seems to stay out of neighborhoods of color.

Anyhow, can we also discuss the condoms/AIDS as well. To advocate condom usage would mean that the RCC would support premarital Sex and adultery. One does not need a condom if one is in a monogamous lifelong relationship. Given the ban on pre-marital and adultery has been around for a few years, it seems silly to expect the Church to change it's tune.

[realFedUp]

3. in a perfect world

the RCC might work.

[TahitiNut]

4. "One does not need a condom if one is in a monogamous lifelong ..."

Really? Tell that to Magic Johnson's wife. (What a stupid posture!)

[komplex]

6. How Many...

Married couples do you know who use Condoms for their Sex life, all of the ones I know are on the pill or some other cheaper method that wouldn't prevent the spread of AIDS.

[TahitiNut]

8. I don't make a habit of examining the sexual relations of my ...

... friends and family - nor do I attempt to impose my dogmas on their personal and private lives.

[komplex]

9. except

For Magic Johnson's Family?

[PA Democrat]

15. Are you aware that the UN is predicting that HALF

all 15 year olds in Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa will die of AIDS if something is not done soon? And in the meantime, Catholic bishops in Africa are advocating AGAINST the use of condoms. Should the Catholic church be supporting a death penalty for people who engage in extramarital sex? How about the monogamous woman whose spouse has cheated? Does she deserve to die?

http://aids.about.com/cs/aidsfactsheets/a/africa.htm

http://www.globalpolicy.org/socecon/develop/aids/africa/0731bishop.htm

[komplex]

16. You'll have to explain to me...

How if people refuse to follow the Church's postion on Extramarital sex, they'll suddenly turn around and follow the rules against artificial contraception?

Please think about the implications of the poor woman whose spouce is cheating on her. The only real way to protect her is to ban all other forms of contraception so condoms are the only choice couples have.

[PA Democrat]

18. Please read the links I provided

The problem is one of educating people that short of abstinence, one of the best ways to prevent AIDS is condom use. People in Africa are not receiving that education thanks to pressure exerted on the government by the Catholic church. That was the point of the links I posted, had you bothered to read them.

And as far as the argument about "denying" the wife of the cheating spouse, I don't understand your argument. She should not be told that using condoms could save her life because it's not fair to "deny" her the choice of other birth control methods? It's better to let her DIE? The problem in Africa is of education and availability of condoms, both of which are being restricted by the Catholic church's interference in politics. Where did anyone advocate for forcing people to use condoms?

[komplex]

19. The People in Africa...

Think you can cure aids by having sex with a Virgin, is this the Church's Fault as well? The Church's position is abstinence is the best way to prevent AIDS, do you disagree with that statement?

If you want the Church to change it's position on Condoms and Pre-marital sex, you have to read Catholic Theology and come up with a reason that falls within the Parameters of Catholic Theology to force the change.

And for the second part, How many husbands that you know when asked by their wife will say, "Yes honey, I've cheated on you. Throw away the Pill, I'll go out and get a condom." or do you think "Honey, I'd never cheat on you" is more likely to happen.

[PA Democrat]

20. Abstinence is the best way to prevent AIDS.

But it is unrealistic to think that abstinence education alone will eradicate AIDS. It's not working here in the US as recent studies have shown.

My problem is the interference of the church in the government's business, or do you not believe in the separation of church and state? Do you feel that the Catholic church should set the public health policies of any country? Or that the government has to work within the confines of Catholic theology when putting together its public health policy?

And if you can encourage more people to use condoms through an effective education program, you lessen the chance that the cheating husband will contract AIDS in the first place.

And as far as your question about blaming the Catholic church for the belief about virgins and AIDS, I won't even dignify that with an answer.

[komplex]

23. Church vs. State...

So obviously you were against the Pope requesting the Gov of Mo to remove a man from Death Row, You were against the Pope speaking out against neo-liberal economic policy's that have caused untold harm in the third world, You were against the Y2k project led by the church in getting International Debt forgiven?

Or do you want the church to shut up only when it disagrees with you?

[PA Democrat]

26. There is a slight difference between the church advocating for policies

that alleviate suffering verses advocating for policies that spread misinformation that ultimately increase suffering and death. It is hardly a matter of wanting the church to "shut up when it disagrees with" *me*. There are many other Christians, in fact many other Catholics, who are outraged by the church's stance on the use of condoms to prevent AIDS.

My conscience dictates that I speak out against such cruel policies. A government's AIDS prevention policies should be based upon research and science, not the teachings of ANY particular organized religion.


The cardinal, who is president of the Vatican's Pontifical Council for the Family, suggests that governments should urge people not to use condoms.

"These margins of uncertainty...should represent an obligation on the part of the health ministries and all these campaigns to act in the same way as they do with regard to cigarettes, which they state to be a danger."

The programme includes a Catholic nun advising her HIV-infected choir master not to use condoms with his wife because "the virus can pass through".

The Archbishop of Nairobi Raphael Ndingi Nzeki told Panaroma that condoms were helping to spread the virus.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3176982.stm

And here is more:
http://www.hrwatch.org/reports/2005/uganda0305/7.htm

[aneerkoinos]

35. Bullshit

Preaching abstinence is not the best way to prevent venereal diseases or unwanted pregnances, it is one of the worst. Preaching abstinence is nothing but bullshit, abstinence is a practice people just don't practice.

Every stat in the world says that best way of prevention is sexual education, sexual equality and female literacy, plus easily available rubbers.

[Stuckinthebush]

22. Quite a few, actually

As I asked below, why would the pill and/or other forms of keeping sperm from fertilizing the egg be more acceptable to the church?

[Demit]

10. This is not the NYT. This is a freelance op-ed by a respected scholar

in the field of Catholic scholarship. Dismissing it as "typical nonsense" is silly.

[komplex]

12. Well...

Have you looked at the stats for the RCC, it has grown in the US during the Pope's Reign. To say the Churches are empty is a silly statement at best.

Second, to demand the church change one of it's most basic tenets is like asking committed Democrats to Draconian reform Welfare.

[Stuckinthebush]

13. Uh oh....

I didn't know that we didn't need to use condoms. Hell, my wife and I have been using them for years to avoid pregnancy. It works, too!

I didn't know that we were safe just because we were married.

You see...this is the kind of irresponsible junk still coming from the Vatican. I am sure that the next head of the church will continue to spread the same crap.

[Name removed]

17. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Stuckinthebush]

21. Well, she can't take the pill

for medical reasons, and the diaphram is very untrustworthy.

Why would these two options be more pleasing to the Pope than a condom?

[komplex]

24. The RCC doesn't approve of any artificial contraception...

But the point that I was trying to make, when the idiot brought up Magic Johnson, I brought up the belief that people in LTR tend to use more convient forms of birth control, such as the Pill.

If there was an option (since you don't actually have one) would you rather use a condom or the Pill?

[Stuckinthebush]

25. Well, that's a no brainer!

The pill

[komplex]

30. Which then leaves you unprotected against HIV...

I mean, I'm sure Mrs. Magic Johnson believed her husband was telling the truth if she was safe.

[PA Democrat]

29. So anyone who uses condoms MUST be

engaging in extramarital sex? Here's a hint, you won't win any arguments around here with personal attacks on other posters who don't subscribe to your viewpoint.

[komplex]

31. No...

Everybody who uses condoms are protected against HIV, everybody else is on the Trust method.

[realFedUp]

7. I think that the Cardinals have a lot of thinking to do

as to the direction that keeps the Church
viable, relevant and reaching out in these times.

[Snap]

11. Martin Luther was right.

Papal infallibiliy, the Easter Bunny, & Santa Claus.

[cookiebird]

14. Good Writer

Cahill see the "big picture" about human action and culture and civilizations. He can advance a very convincing argument, and he has the historical knowledge to support it.:think:

[Bridget Burke]

27. Product of a Jesuit education?

Yup. When I attended a Jesuit high school in New York City and was taught to read Latin and ancient Greek, I had my first scholarly taste of the strangeness of other ages. Reading the stories left behind by Ovid, Virgil, Sappho, Homer, I felt I had been given the key to the souls of dead men and women--people who had lived more than 2000 years before me, in Homer's case nearly 3000 years before.

www.randomhouse.com/features/cahill/essay5.html

Let us hope that the Good the Church can do will win out, eventually.

[Eloriel]

28. "mindless sycophants and intellectual incompetents" -- but, oh!

what a great pope he was. How do I know? Because so many DUers can't stop saying it. :puke:

Here's another take on it, WELL worth reading if you haven't already (was posted here in this forum):

discussed here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=103&topic_id=117682#117723

Some Reflections on the Recent Papacy of JPII
by Matthew Fox, Ph.D.
http://www.opednews.com/foxmatthew_040405_pope.htm

snip (reluctantly -- some VERY good info)

Other attacks include documents against yoga (yes!); against Buddhism (calling it "atheism"); against Thich Naht Hahn (calling him the "anti-Christ"); against feminist philosophers; against women (girls cannot serve at the altar; nor can women be priests); against theologians in general. Priests are forbidden to use the pronoun "she" for God at the altar.

A prolonged effort to render fascism fashionable. This includes the rushing into canonization of the card-carrying fascist priest who founded the Opus Dei movement even though this man actually praised Adolf Hitler and also denounced women and has been accused of sexual abuse of six young men who are alive today.

The taking of Opus Dei under the hand of the papacy granting it legitimacy and power within and without the Catholic structure.

The conscious destruction and systemic dismanteling of the Liberation Theology movement and the very vital base communities it spawned in Latin America in particular--a move which has opened up Latin America to an onslaught of Pentecostal and right wing religious huckstering. The demise of the Catholic Church in Latin America is now well underway--pentecostals are sweeping away the population--now that this papacy (with the encouragment and support of the CIA) has destroyed liberation theology and replaced it with opus dei bishops and cardinals.

-- more --

And may I remind people that Matthew Fox is the theologian who developed Creation Theology. Very powerful, moving, instrumental, inspirational sorta guy. Very spiritual, very contemporary (read: New Age). Now ex-communicated by this WONDERFUL Pope who just died.

[CTyankee]

33. Too bad that Cahill will probably be excoriated

over this Op Ed piece.

Cahill is a first rate historical writer. His "Sailing the Wine Dark Sea" was so good I read it twice and then got two of his other books out of the library and read them. He brings history alive to his readers and is thoroughly enjoyable.

His next book will be "How the Romans became Italians." I can't wait.

[biscotti]

34. Wow thanks for posting this.

I printed it out last night and read it later. I just sent the link to my daughter. I tried to express what a loss John 23 rd was to me and the church. It was the beginning of the decline.