Sede vacante

Grazie, buona notte. (Thank you and good night)

These are the last words of Pope Benedict XVI at the last hour of his pontificate. It was a very sad scene, like a father bidding his children goodbye. Uncertainty fills the air as questions start piling up. But like what many hopefuls would often say, it's true that in every end comes the chance to start anew - a chance that the Catholic Church much seize to sail effectively in this sea of ever changing world. 

It is true that the Catholic Church is facing a bulk of challenges, and I am not talking about secularism, or practical atheism, as was pointed out by our former Supreme Pontiff, neither any attack to Her doctrine. There are massive cases of sexual abuse involving priests, priests meddling into politics, financial questionings - these are very few things that the Catholic hierarchy must confront directly in humility. As a lay person, I think arrogance is the main problem of the Church today. 

It's high time that the Church stops sugar coating these issues or worse, suppress and hide the cracks wounding the unknowing faithfuls. This Church is never perfect. Even the great Blessed Pope John Paul II admitted this when he apologized in behalf of the Catholic Church for its wrongdoings spanning centuries. Exposing erring priests will not do Her any harm. Denying will. Not only damages to the Church, but further damages to their victims. Admitting the Church's fault will not weaken its people's faith. Whitewashing will. 

This I think is the final lesson of Benedict XVI. Considered to be traditional being the world's greatest  living theologian, it's surprising that he broke so many traditions with his resignation. At first I saw this as a picture of Peter turning his back from the cross of Christ, unable to carry the weight of a future that he too will be crucified if he continue his ministry. But as I reflect further with the writings of Benedict XVI, I realize how this act constitutes a great deal of humility. 

The entire Catholic Church must do exactly what Benedict XVI - resign. Not from this world or from its ministry, but from burying its faults and problems without confronting them. Like the pontiff emeritus, this will naturally open the Church from even further attacks and questionings, but in humility, it will have a chance to correct its wrongs. It will give the world a Church that is active, sensitive and engaging. Not a snob group of older men upholding traditions of pomp and pageantry as a world in turmoil watches while sinking in oblivion of hunger, sickness and war.. 

During this period of sede vacante, I hope this would be one of the pieces of thoughts our respectable cardinals will ponder about. Let us take with us the combined humility and simplicity of John Paul II and Benedict XVI that we can emerge as holy as the God we wish to represent in this world. The Church is only flawed because it is composed of men who are far from being perfect, but in the consciousness of being so, aim to be in perfect communion with a God who is ever enduring and ever perfect.