VATICAN CITY
Vatican Insider
A document prepared by theologians painting the portrait of Ratzinger’s successor has gathered two thousand signatures. “Nationality is not important, just as long as he doesn’t fall slave to the Curia”
GIACOMO GALEAZZI
Vatican City
Church reform plan. How should the next Pope be? Theologians have outlined what Benedict XVI’s successor should be like, in a document which has so far been signed by two thousand theologians across the world. Its first signatories were prestigious theologians such as Paul Knitter, Mgr. Calsaldáliga, Hans Küng, Leonardo Boff, Peter Phan and Paul Collins.
The next Pope is being asked to combat the “current stagnation” and counter resistance from sections of the Church hierarchy that are hindering the implementation of the Second Vatican Council. “The papacy’s role needs to be clearly redefined in line with Christ’s intentions. As supreme pastor, unifying figure and the main witness of the faith, the Pope’s contribution to the good of the universal Church is key, theologians write. But his authority should never obscure, diminish or suppress the authentic authority Christ gave directly to all the people of God.”
Furthermore, “bishops are vicars of Christ, not the Pope’s vicars. They have direct responsibility for the people and the dioceses and a shared responsibility along with other bishops and the Pope for the universal community of the Catholic faith.” The bishops’ central synod, the documents reads, “should play a more decisive role in planning and guiding the conservation and growth of faith in our complex world.”
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