The unexpected but not unusual news that Pope Benedict XI is resigning at the end of the month has unleashed the usual frenzy in mainstream media chattering about the usual short-attention span platitudes. As a matter of fact and record, he’s not the first pope to resign showing that all popes do not die in office. Nevertheless the man must be congratulated for his courage and humility in defying centuries-long tradition. In a sense the pope in modern era most associated with tradition and orthodoxy has shown revolutionary streak by displaying that nothing is set in stone and that the Church is more about Spirit than contingent predictable matter. Lessons of history!
This timely announcement carries a lot of strategic implications for the Church globally. As cardinals prepare for the next conclave in the next few weeks without mourning, there is no doubt issues confronting the church will be laid bare. More so in a fast changing world, there is great necessity for the Church to renew herself to be in the driving seat. Some of the issues that one expects in the new pope’s purview will include but not limited to the following;
- Relationship with the South. The last 2 decades has opened up positive political and socio-economic experiences in many parts of the South i.e. Africa, South America and Asia. Many governments are reflecting the will of their peoples; economic development and economic growth are rising with increased investment on social and public services. In parallel Europe the erstwhile centre of economic power is in decline. This is the first time in Church history that its primary environment has fallen behind economically. In addition it must be stated that Europe’s church attendance decline, decreasing birth rate and declining population signify that Church’s soul has left the continent. It is now in the South. The new pope needs to confront this reality with maturity and wisdom towards an enhanced relationship.
- Dormancy (and at times deafening silence) of National Bishop Councils. As the world changes in power configuration with multipolarity becoming the clear platform of geopolitics, the new pope must advance nuanced flexibility towards enhancing the profile of national churches. This means national churches must not suffer no more at the expense of Vatican diplomacy. Active participation of the hierarchy in the political, socio-economic and cultural development of their countries is long over-due without the burden of being frozen out or labelled Marxist.
- Sustainable moral authority in national political spaces. The new pope must appreciate the complexity of self-determination and aspiration of majority in pursuing their political needs. On a number of occasions, Vatican has made questionable diplomatic judgements which alienated many faithful in some countries e.g. apparent understanding of 1973 Gen Pinochet’s bloody coup against an elected government in Chile, recognition of coup-engineered Paraguayan government in 2012, 'allowing' defiance of Venezuelan hierarchy in openly supporting coup d’état against a democratically elected government in 2002 among others.
- Rising of Islamist destabilisation. The convergence of interest between western military power and islamist assets has unleashed a new dimension of instability especially in Middle East and Africa. It will be appropriate for the new pope to renew dialogue with Islamic authorities towards negotiation based on life-giving theological experiences that stems the tide of violence in many countries. Such an opportunity allows renewed dialogue with Islam on increasing destabilisation purported in its name.
- Relationship with China. The new pope must quickly fine-tune progressive diplomacy of engagement with China. One of the factors preventing a nuanced engagement is the historical baggage over China’s escape from being overrun by the same European military machine that penetrated other lands preceding Christian evangelisation.
These issues are poignant for the times we live in and the Church’s long experience and vast resources are well placed to re-inject another dose of ‘fresh air’ and updates on unimplemented pages of Vatican II conclusions gathering dust in the archives.
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