THE FUTURE OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

________ (2005) THE WEEK, 11/25/ 15

Peter was the very first pope of what would become the largest Christian denomination on earth. The first 1,100 years priests married. However in 1139, the Second Lateran Council, priests were expected to remain celibate. The church worried that property of the Roman Catholic largess would be inherited by the children of the clergy. Celibacy was enforced.

Many young men of southern and eastern European descent could instantly move from blue collar to the profession by becoming a priest here in the states in the 20th century... With excellent scholarships from their church they moved into the clergy with a special title, garb, and initials after their last name. However, by the end of the sexual revolution, most females and males discovered that almost everyone had a sex drive and that the drive itself and the images that correspondent was natural.

Other job opportunities opened up and both priests and nuns (who are married to Jesus) found other work. One could work for God in many capacities and still be married. Numerous persons religious dropped out of the clergy. Additionally, new priests were in short supply.

Further, there have been steep drop outs in the church since the decision to not endorse birth control. It is a sin. The largest church in the USA today is ex-Catholics. Since the death of Pope John 23rd, the church has been moving to a rebirth of orthodoxy. The hierarchy wants members to return to the church of the 50’s. In doing so, progressive Catholics may want to find a new home in another church. Priests have also been reassigned to minister in the USA. They now come from all over the world.

However, if the supply does remain low of sisters and priests, lay male deacons may become de facto priests. Thus the laity will have more power. Further, in many churches women dominate church councils and related. They are also present at the front during the mass as readers and lecturers.

The future of the church may be one of laity run churches and a splinter group the American Catholic Church filled with liberal and moderate Roman Catholics. What the hierarchy has discovered is that the stricter the church the stronger is the members who will stay. At least that is what is happening in the 3rd world. If that works in the western world is something that will be discovered in the years ahead.