The West – and especially the United States – is living through what the political scientist Samuel Huntington called an era of “creedal passion”. This is a volatile period in which the gap between ideals and institutions is glaring. Reformers arise, seeking to bridge the chasm, but encounter ferocious opposition.
Quarrelsome and divisive voices dominate. The Church is obviously not immune to such passions. Will they intensify in 2018?
Here are 10 themes that are likely to define the year ahead.
1) Return of the abuse crisis Last year ended with the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors deprived of any members and the Pope attending the funeral of a cardinal synonymous with the crisis in St Peter’s Basilica. Two journals reliably sympathetic towards Francis – the National Catholic Reporter and America – published scathing editorials, deploring the Pope’s timidity in the fight against abuse. In March, the next stage of Cardinal Pell’s trial will begin. Expect an upsurge of abuse stories from around the world this year.
2) The Pope in Ireland Pope Francis has a chance to prove his critics wrong if, as expected, he travels to Ireland in August. He will be visiting the epicentre of the abuse crisis and will, we hope, bring healing to a profoundly wounded society. He will be only the second pope to visit the Republic and, God willing, the first to visit Northern Ireland.
3) Vatican coffers Last year was a disaster for Vatican financial reformers. The auditor general, Libero Milone, was ousted in June. A month later Vatican “treasurer” Cardinal Pell was forced to return to Australia. In November Giulio Mattietti, the Vatican bank’s deputy director, was sacked. The year closed with accusations of financial mismanagement (fiercely denied) against Cardinal Óscar Rodríguez Maradiaga, one of the Pope’s closest advisers. It will take a Herculean effort to get reform back on track in 2018.
4) Youth synod In October bishops will gather in Rome to reflect on “Young people, the faith and vocational discernment”. This will be preceded by an international youth gathering in March that may help to clarify the synod’s nebulous agenda. By the end of 2018, the Church could have a creative new blueprint for reaching out to youngsters and helping them make life-changing decisions.
5) Married priests This topic will almost certainly be discussed at the next synod but one: the Amazon synod in October 2019. That may seem a long way off, but expect the theological jousting to begin this year.
6) A “fraternal correction” Last September, clergy and lay scholars issued a “filial correction” of Amoris Laetitia, Pope Francis’s controversial apostolic exhortation on the family. That could be followed this year by a “fraternal correction” by Cardinal Raymond Burke and Cardinal Walter Brandmüller, the last of the four cardinals who addressed their famous dubia, or “doubts”, to Pope Francis after he published Amoris in 2016. This step would plunge the Church deep into uncharted territory.
7) Spotlight on Russia In March, Russia will hold presidential elections. There is no doubt who will win: Vladimir Putin, who will bask in the international limelight when the country hosts the World Cup in June. The nation’s growing prominence will bring increased scrutiny, not only of its alleged meddling in Western elections but also of human rights abuses at home. The Russian Orthodox Church will seek to consolidate its claim to be the most authoritative Christian voice outside Rome.
8) Curial reform The Council of Cardinals will mark its fifth anniversary on April 14. Perhaps by then it will have presented its final recommendations to Pope Francis. It is still unclear if it will try to overhaul the 1988 apostolic constitution on the Roman Curia, Pastor Bonus, or propose more modest reforms. The council could be wound up when this, its major task, is completed.
9) The Middle East after ISIS The terror group has lost 98 per cent of its territory in Iraq and Syria, home to some of the world’s oldest Christian communities. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia appears to be distancing itself from Islamic extremism, rolling out the red carpet for Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rahi in November. Will a new pluralist spirit sweep the region in 2018, or will fratricidal struggles rage on?
10) A Eucharistic Congress The highlight of the year for English and Welsh Catholics is likely to be the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and Congress in Liverpool on September 7-9. Up to 10,000 pilgrims are expected to gather for the event, which aims to deepen Eucharistic adoration and will end with a street procession that both participants and locals are unlikely to forget.
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