The collection of the Pope’s Q & A’s with various groups, Questions and Answers is #1 on the Catholic Publishers’ Association Bestseller’s list for April. (pdf)
Oh, and more papal-related randomness – here’s a transcript of a really excellent discussion between John Allen and George Weigel, sponsored by the Pew Forum. If you want good background, this is just one more source. I don’t know when the discussion took place – last week, it seems. It’s excellent.
This was an interesting discussion. I’m glad Allen is using “affirmative orthodoxy” again, rather than “evangelical Catholicism.” It’s more in line with the way the vast majority of Catholics would describe their faith. His description of the religious situation in the U.S. as a “competitive religious marketplace” is perhaps one of the problems (both nomenclature as well as philosophy) in this country. It’s hard to take something seriously when it’s put on the same plane as other things one can survey, purchase, or sell in the marketplace. I know evangelical Protestants do it all the time, but I think it’s unwise to evangelize ultimate Truth in this way. It cheapens it.
Allen is still focused on Benedict’s “yes” rather than “no” presentation of Catholic orthodoxy. I think he missed the truly big change and that’s the liturgy. I guess Allen thinks Americans won’t be interested, but many of us are and the Holy Father’s initiatives in this area are already beginning to affect the way the Mass is celebrated in the U.S.
It’s hard for me to believe that Weigel is still harping on Benedict’s “failure” to reform the Roman Curia, as if that were the highest priority on his agenda.
The highest priority is Catholic identity and it’s in everything Benedict does: liturgy, Catholic education, Catholic education, etc. To shore up Catholicism for what lies ahead: secularism and Islam. I don’t agree with Weigel (or Allen?) that Benedict thinks Islam is our natural ally if it’s moderate. There are competing truth claims involved as well as our mandate to evangelize (remember Magdi Allam). So they are competitors, but it’s better if they are friendly competitors. Secularism is as unfriendly as Islam is, right now and our competition is right here, not only in the unchurched or those who don’t care, but in the evangelical world, which is now tilting to postmodern philosophy and mass-market, “meet them where they are” evangelism. They are every bit as secular as someone who doesn’t concern themselves with religion at all, because they have capitulated to the predominant culture, which itself is secular. So Catholicism must ready itself.
It is very refreshing to see somebody who actually likes the pope drive the conversation. I hope the MSM that was there will have their coverage enlightened. We will see.
I also don’t think the pope sees Islam as an ally. He is more worried about Christianity being lumped together with Islam. He sees secular Europe as one extreme of choosing reason and rejecting faith. He sees Islam as the other extreme of choosing faith and rejecting reason. So in a sense they are both allies on some issues and adversaries on others.
The education talk will be interesting to. The notion of confidence in truth comes into things. Catholic higher education seems to push the idea of questioning everything. This is the kind of philosphical deconstruction that leads to hopelessness. Hence the theme of the visit. It will be interesting to see exactly how he handles this talk.
A fine discussion. Thank you for highlighting it.
I especially liked the speculation on Benedict’s approach to a rapprochement with the Islamic world.
Thank you so much, Amy. I borrowed two George Weigel books from the library but wasn’t sure of him. Seeing him mentioned here made me feel better. :-)
I’m about ready to collapse into bed but will read the transcript tomorrow. Thanks, again.