We have a Pope

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Joseph Ratzinger elected pope.

From what I hear that could be the beginning of the end of the Catholic Church.

Ummm No.

The end? Probably not. A major split? I wouldn't be suprised. I really doubt this will have any effect on American Catholics though, they'll keep screwing, using condoms and jacking off just as much as before.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Hopefully, the church does split over this.  The true believers can stay in the church and those who don't follow Catholic teachings will leave like they should.

Sad but true.  Most of the liberal Catholics the news talked about with the Gallup poll don't go to Church anyway.  Certain issues are up for change but there are certain issues that you cannot change just because current societal norms calls for it.  If you want a church that still has some ritual with nothing behind it and that caves on every single issue- become an Episcapalian.

that's a very derogatory and condescending attitdue. I agree liberal Catholics should become Episcopalians (or Evangelical Lutherans, since we are fairly similar to the Catholic church service -wise as well), but you appear to think their church is inferior.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Hopefully, the church does split over this.  The true believers can stay in the church and those who don't follow Catholic teachings will leave like they should.

Sad but true.  Most of the liberal Catholics the news talked about with the Gallup poll don't go to Church anyway.  Certain issues are up for change but there are certain issues that you cannot change just because current societal norms calls for it.  If you want a church that still has some ritual with nothing behind it and that caves on every single issue- become an Episcapalian.

that's a very derogatory and condescending attitdue. I agree liberal Catholics should become Episcopalians (or Evangelical Lutherans, since we are fairly similar to the Catholic church service -wise as well), but you appear to think their church is inferior.

Then why don't they just do that?  It is obvious that many of them don't identify with the Church anymore.

I'll tell you why.  Because it is not about religion per se.  So called "Liberal Catholics" aren't going to go to mass regardless of who the Pope is.  Indeed, many of them want a Church where not going to mass is "okay".  Basically, they want the Church to approve of what they are already doing.  They have no desire to go back, no matter what doctrinal changes are made.

Well the Episcopalian and Evangelical Lutheran churches don't make a big deal if you go to services every week, so that's another reason they should switch. I don't see what you're whining about, I agree they should change, and my mom does no doubt. My mom made the right choice. Acting like they are wrong in some way or joining an inferior church for doing so though isn't a very nice attitude.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Prediction:  Benedict XVI will take up the pacifist agenda of Benedict XV and will make Vatican opposition to the War on Terror a central element of his Papacy.  This will create a significan rift between the Church and many of its American adherents.  Most actual church going Catholics support the war, its the non-practicing ones who are mostly against it.  This, combined with continued indifference to the child sex scandal will leave the American church weaker than ever before.

Out on a limb, but the name makes me nervous.

Why do you care? You're not Catholic, or even Christian.

I couldn't care one bit either way if the church disappeared off the face of the earth tommorow. I have my own church, I don't care what others do.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

How so? My point is I don't see why a non-Catholic would worry about the American church splintering and weakening itself.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

It was mostly a question of curiosity.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

I have many Catholic friends to whom the Church is an important part of their lives, and I'd be greatly pained to see the Church they love betray them.

I could say the same thing about liberal Catholic friends.