VATICAN CITY
Wausau Daily Herald
John Thavis
Let’s hope the Roman Catholic cardinals were listening closely to Pope Benedict when he addressed them a few hours before resigning Feb. 28, because he sent an important signal about change in the church.
By describing the church as a “living reality” able to transform itself and adapt to the times, the pope was inviting cardinals to pick up on the spirit of his historic decision to retire at age 85.
Many in Rome believe that as the cardinals meet this week in their run-up to the conclave, they should — like the pope has done — consider some bold changes in the way Benedict’s successor carries out his ministry.
In effect, the cardinals have an opportunity to revise the pope’s job description. And there’s an appetite for change even inside the Vatican, particularly when it comes to the way the pope manages his bureaucratic apparatus, the Roman Curia.
Based on ideas Vatican officials have floated in conversations during the last two weeks, here are seven relatively simple steps the next pope could take to streamline and improve governance at the heart of the church:
• 1. Bring in his own team. Newly elected popes habitually leave the Roman Curia heads in place for years, in part because they don’t want to be seen as “rocking the boat.” But this only makes it more difficult to change policies and challenge entrenched attitudes. The next pope should thank the existing team of Vatican officials for their service, and then send them home.
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