New pope should be more than transitional, professor says

Dr. W.T. "Tom" Dickens, a religious studies professor at Siena College in Loudonville, would like the next pope focus on two ideals:

* that God is "rich in mercy," as was expressed in Pope John Paul II's 1980 encyclical of that title ("Dives in Misericordia"); and

* that, in imitation of that mercy, Catholics realize they are called to be in solidarity with everyone else on the planet, particularly with those most in need -- "the least of our brothers and sisters."

Third World

Pope John Paul's successor, according to Dr. Dickens, will become shepherd of a Church whose "center of gravity" has shifted to the Third World, and whose most pressing issues are how to address poverty, hunger, disease and their long-lasting effects.

Because of the magnitude of those problems, Dr. Dickens believes a "transitional" pope who would reign for just a few years is a bad idea.

"A 'placeholder' would be disastrous. The problems confronting the Church are too urgent for that," he stated. "But, as we know from [Pope] John XXIII, a person could be old and still be very energetic, and take up a cause or two."

Global issues

Those causes, he believes, should be "to bridge some gaps between Christians and non-Christians; social justice; hunger; and degradation."

The professor hopes that the cardinals who are about to gather to elect a pope will put those "global challenges" at the forefront of their thinking in choosing a candidate.

"If they could think in terms of global importance, they have a better chance of creating a sense of unity among all Catholics, and an opportunity for common work" between Catholics and those of other faiths, he noted.

Characteristics

Because of those needs, Dr. Dickens thinks a new pope must have good language skills and "a familiarity with more than one part of the world."

He noted that a European cardinal should have at least spent a significant amount of time living in a country outside of Europe if he is to be considered a viable candidate.

"It would help to have a pope who is media-savvy," Dr. Dickens added. For instance, "John Paul II was described as a 'master dramatist.' He was aware of how his movements and gestures would appear on the large screen."

Pope John Paul's successor must be similarly "comfortable with symbolism, articulate, impassioned, spiritual and telegenic."

Church issues

The demand for a pope who addresses specific challenges within the Church, Dr. Dickens said, tends to vary regionally. For example, the number of people entering religious life has decreased in Europe, the U.S. and even Brazil, but increased in parts of Africa and other areas of the world.

Also, he noted, the impact of scientific discoveries like cloning is "more a preoccupation" in the world's Northern Hemisphere than in the Southern Hemisphere.

The next pope will have to confront those issues, as well as the question of the Church's "centralization of authority." The pope might choose to cede some authority assumed by the Vatican back to bishops, Dr. Dickens said.

Retirement?

Pope John Paul's lengthy illness has also brought up the question of whether a new pope will speak about the possibility of pontiffs retiring rather than dying in office.

"One [of the cardinals in the conclave] said he would have preferred that John Paul II retired; others say that staying in office showed how someone might die and continue to be of service" during that process, Dr. Dickens noted.

The professor believes that whoever becomes the next pope has big shoes to fill.

"I do not envy this person one bit!" he stated.

(4/14/05)