Speaking as a former Catholic, I honestly believe being more conservative will make the church more relevant. I’m not saying that’s a good thing, to be clear, but we see what is happening to more liberal Christian denominations universally–they’re rapidly declining. There are a number of reasons why that is, but liberal theology failing to retain members is a component there.
I think the most relevant issue the Church can bring to bear today is one that conservative and liberal Catholics alike tend to agree on. Even the most hard-line trad priests and laity I knew had a visceral hatred for laizez-faire capitalism (and often capitalism at large) and the commodification of the human experience. Pope Francis gave voice to it, and the next pope must follow suit. If he doesn’t, regardless of theology, the church is doomed.
Speaking as a former Catholic, I honestly believe being more conservative will make the church more relevant. I’m not saying that’s a good thing, to be clear, but we see what is happening to more liberal Christian denominations universally–they’re rapidly declining. There are a number of reasons why that is, but liberal theology failing to retain members is a component there.
I think the most relevant issue the Church can bring to bear today is one that conservative and liberal Catholics alike tend to agree on. Even the most hard-line trad priests and laity I knew had a visceral hatred for laizez-faire capitalism (and often capitalism at large) and the commodification of the human experience. Pope Francis gave voice to it, and the next pope must follow suit. If he doesn’t, regardless of theology, the church is doomed.