[Buddha-l] This pope

[Jim Peavler]

It seems to me that this pope may have decided from the beginning to 
allow "infallibility" to take care of itself, i.e., not make any 
changes in the received doctrines. Also, a large majority of his church 
are considerably right of him on theological matters. The church in 
Africa and Asia consists primarily of people who compete on equal 
footing with the most fundamentalist sects of Islam in narrow minded 
superstition and violence. European and North American Catholics are 
minority cults far more liberal than the great masses of Catholics in 
the rest of the world. Any future pope will face the same problem, I am 
afraid. Any dramatic change of direction in matters of doctrine might 
meet with considerable (possibly dangerous) opposition.

It seems to me that this pope, given these circumstances, and his 
overriding interest in world politics and in humanism, might have 
chosen to concentrate on human issues about which he apparently hoped 
he could have some influence. Thus, his pre-papal interest in improving 
relations with the Jews (somewhat frustrated later by the conservative 
movement in Israel), and in overcoming tyrannic governments. His 
interest in the World Bank's forgiving the debts of developing 
countries, and ending the death penalty are a couple more examples.

I have deeply mixed feelings about the man. I loved his humanity and 
his genuine interest in people as people. I am sorry that he defended 
several doctrines that I find odious.