Despite new pope, no real change
Despite new pope, no real change
When Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was named Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, a happiness manifested itself around the world that was almost palpable. A Jesuit! An Argentine. A member of the hierarchy, simple of manner and with a heart for the poor.
A humble man. A good priest. Early and reassuring signals in his demeanor would suggest that things are going to be different. The Vatican autocrats who insistently envision the church as still in its monarchical glory would surely now be tamed or overruled. I wanted so to believe.
“We’ll see,” I said to friends who were nearly bursting with hope for more of the church of Jesus. Somewhere in my skeptical bones I knew that the deep down in the patriarchal nature of the church, things don’t change that much, and not about women.
Today we learn that the investigation of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious under this pope will, in fact, proceed. The ridiculously heavy handed, publicly demeaning, examination of nuns who have given their lives in service to the church and humanity will continue.
And now, we do see. Case closed, isn’t it?
Judith C. Heikes
Glen Ellyn