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	Needed: a New Martin Luther By Bob Driver Tampa Bay Newspapers April 14, 2010 http://www.tbnweekly.com/editorial/viewpoints/content_articles/041310_vpt-04.txt If ever an institution was ripe for revolution, it's today's Roman Catholic Church. It has been 493 years since the Catholic priest and theologian Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the church door in Wittenberg. Luther and many others of that day were protesting the church's sale of indulgences – the granting of forgiveness in exchange for money. Today, such a practice seems almost petty compared to the sexual and ethical corruption that has attached itself to the modern church. Luther's insurrection was met by his being excommunicated by Pope Leo X. The reformation followed, splitting the RCC asunder. In the past decade, a new rift has occurred in the church. It began about 2002 in Boston, where the daily newspaper turned up evidence that hundreds of boys and girls had been molested by priests. The resulting scandal and lawsuits have cost the church millions of dollars and resulted in the shutting down of churches throughout the city. In recent months, additional rocks have been turned over in Ireland, Wisconsin, Germany and in Rome itself. Pedophile priests have slithered out. Emerging with them has come evidence of cover-ups by the papal hierarchy, perhaps including Pope Benedict XVI himself. Today it seems impossible not to believe that thousands – perhaps millions – of disgusted Catholics are wishing for the appearance of a new leader, a man or woman who will declare permanent and absolute independence from the rule of Rome. What a beautiful sight that would be – a worldwide throng of RCC worshippers who still believe in many of the tenets and ceremonies of the Catholic faith, but who refuse to participate any longer in an unquestioning, sheeplike obedience to the Pope and his scarlet-robed princes. The new Catholic church, should it come, would surely open up the priesthood to women. Marriage of priests would be not only permitted but encouraged. The perversion known as priestly celibacy would be forever ended. So would the protection and cover-ups historically shown to priests and nuns who, by disregarding their sacred vows, have brought shame to the church and to the thousands of its upright servants. But even as I write these critical words, I'm overtaken by the thought that perhaps too much is already being written and said about the RCC today. My opinions and those of many other observers will not resolve the problems of the RCC. It seems to me that enough revelations and charges have come forth to showcase the church's failings, as well as its good points. So why don't we all shut the hell up for awhile, and see what happens? One result could be that the ensuing silence might trigger the civil authorities to bolder actions. In many cases of church controversies (Catholic, Protestant and what-have-you) secular law enforcement agencies have trod too carefully, under the assumption that the church should or would deal with its own troubles. This has allowed many culprits to go free, or be quietly transferred to another parish. I'm not familiar with the protocols of the Vatican and the Italian government, but it might be edifying if one day a caravan of Italian law enforcement officers, with warrants in hand, should roll into St. Peter's Square and demand access to the Pope and the august members of his inner circle. Another continuing outfall of the RCC's scandals will probably be a steady defection of rank-and-file worshippers. Has anyone performed a detailed study of how many Catholics have left the church since 2002? It might be difficult to pin down the exact number. Equally revealing, if they were attainable, would be the figures on declining financial support from all sources. No one knows when or how the travail and turmoil of today's Catholic Church will end. Possibly the next chapter of this saga will begin with the death of the present Pope, who is 83 and in failing health. The selection of his successor will be an indicator of how seriously the College of Cardinals regards the problem of wayward priests and the bishops who have tolerated them. Of one thing we can be sure: As always, the Vatican will survive, largely unperturbed by the current brouhaha or any others that may follow. The church thinks in terms of centuries. It knows full well how time can wash away unpleasant episodes and obliterate the church's enemies. Sweet are the uses of an eternal viewpoint. Contact: tralee71@comcast.net
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