Welcome Pope Benedict XVI to Our American Shores

04/15/2008

Paul Munnis


Like many Americans I want to extend a warm welcome to Pope Benedict XVI in his journey to the U.S.

We were pleased to see the Pontiff given a Head of State reception by the president and we hope that the Pope manages to convey his pain at the continued occupation of Iraq by the U.S.

The pain and suffering that the Iraqis are being exposed to is in my view unconscionable.

There are many things on the Papal agenda as he visits the U.S. including the pain he feels at the pedophile priests in the American Church and I am sure of his determination to route them out and more important to make sure many less gain admittance to the priesthood. We have no doubt the Church will police itself and clean house in its own time and in its own way.

The Pope will likely have some messages of increased worship participation for American Catholics who collectively have a low attendance frequency at Mass and in participation of the sacraments. He will also likely speak to the American people about the heightened sexual activity among youth and adults in America and encourage less sexual adventure.

American Catholics are major contributors to the Church and with the American dollar losing 60% of its purchasing power the income of the Church is very much injured. This is coming at a time when world hunger is at an all time high and a need for Catholic Charities has a huge demand on it. Among the hungriest people of the world are those in Haiti, in Egypt, and in much of Africa. The Pope may use his visit to the U.S. to provide major leadership initiatives in terms of challenging Americans to help to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and house the homeless. Many people in the world also need clean drinking water and improved sanitation. America has all of these things in abundance and the problem is sharing them with the helpless people who are desperate for assistance. Iraq is in need of all of these and more and so are the Iraqi refugees living in squalor in refugee camps. Our nation can raise millions overnight for political candidates using the Internet and so we can surely spare a dime to address the problems of world hunger and homelessness.

Over the years I have spoken to many Democrats about why they are attracted to the Party and often I am told it is because Democrats have a record of using politics to delivery Charity to those in need. This comes not just from Catholics I have heard it from major leaders in Jewish Charities, from Baptists, from Methodists and people of other private and secular groups as well as religious organizations. People of good conscience really care about such things. I believe the Pope will use the opportunity to speak to the leading candidates for the Presidency in America and urge them to provide national leadership and real solutions to word hunger even at a time when American hunger is on the rise. He will likely say that the “Haves” are required to give many times over to the “Have Nots.” As a result many Americans who are well-off will step up their giving. I am not cynical nor distrustful on that point for I have seen it happen before; thus at a time when Americans might understandably pull inwards they will instead give generously if they are urged to.

If the Pope does these things then his trip to the U.S. will have been worthwhile and his leadership will be well established on this continent. He can return to Rome knowing his visit produced worthwhile results on this his 81th year as a fellow pilgrim here on this earth.