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1. The decline of the West is important. However, the issues for the Church in other parts of the world are different.
   Perhaps the western Church, with its leaders, needs to focus on its own members, examining our collective conscience on the decline of Church influence among those members. How can we be a light on the hilltop in our present state?

   Posted By: Joan Seymour

2. Agree with Cardinal Pell's comment but he left out what is probably the greatest threat to our western world - and that is greed.

   Posted By: Colleen

3. The various factions within the Church, the cardinals and laity, etc, will continue no matter who is chosen to replace Pope Benedict.
   Cardinal Pell seems to suggest that there is only one way the Church can move forward, and that is by tackling 'the evils of modern society' (and isn't isn't that said by each successive generation?) but history has shown that its influence has not entirely waned when it is prepared to listen to its people and adapt to the changing times. (Vatican II e.g).
   Obviously society today is vastly different and continually evolving. Contentious social and moral issues are viewed differently by many of the laity from that of the hierarchy. It will take a worldly, but humble, fair-minded pope to address them and take the Church into the modern world and not retreat from it.
   He will certainly have my prayers.

   Posted By: Jeff Kevin

4. Many years ago, Brian V Hall wrote a book about values and world views. He arued taht there are at least five ways to view the world.
   One is to regard the world 'as a problem to be solved'.
   Another is to see the world 'as a mystery to be entered into'.
   Cardinal Pell seems to see the world as an enemy to be defeated.
   Obviously, one's world view is critical in choosing the type of leader perceived to be necessary.
   If we adopt the militaristic model; if we choose the process of 'power over'; if we choose to regard the other as naturally alien --- then the type of leader to emerge for the Church will be shaped by that view of the world.
   The Cardinal is right to indicate that such views are significant, but he is not right in the view that he projects for the future of the Church.

   Posted By: Garry

5. Agree with Joan Seymour's and Jeff Kevin's statements.
   We need a Pope who knows that real live human beings make up the Church body, not a few clerics in Rome.
   Hopefully the Good Lord above will inspire the Conclave to elect a Pope who knows that we are now in the 21st Century and act accordingly.
   Tackle the horrendous acts that are happening daily over the whole world. And for goodness sakes get away from the constant line about sex.
   The Heirachy of the churches are 'hung up'on sex, whereas it is only a minor part of people's lives.
   Concentrate on the important needs of humans.. sufficient food each day, a dry bed each night, freedom from oppression and many more too numerous to mention here.

   Posted By: Margaret Saunders

6. Well said, Garry!
   I also squirmed at the predictability of the comments, instead of a timely response to a badly needed opportunity for reflection by Australia's most eminent Catholic on the state of the world and the ways in which the Church might offer it some servant leadership.
   The Cardinal's remarks, unless misreported, come across as the comments of an Irish bookie offering odds-on advice to a baffled and temporarily distracted and confused audience of Saturday arvo punters about the best horse to back in an otherwise predictably restricted and unspiring field.
   If ever the Holy Spirit warranted a mention - but didn't get it - it was here!

   Posted By: Michael Furtado

7. The new pontiff will have many challenges to face.
   Making the church relevant, but still adhering to the traditions of the catholic faith will be an interesting juggling act.
   How many Australians have been ordained priests over the last 5 years?
   Where in the bible does it state that priests must be celibate.
   I am excited by the prospect that we may see new leadership which supports priests who can marry and the use of contraceptives by those who are struggling to put food on the table and to combat the spread of various diseases.
   I am not sure what evils Cardinal Pell wishes to combat.
   But I am sure that the Pope we need is one who looks afresh at the needs of the faithful - supporting the poor, the starving, the refugees and interprets doctine as Jesus intended.

   Posted By: Tracey

8. From CathNews this morning: 'The new Pope must save the Catholic Church from waning influence amid the evils of modern society - and may well be an Italian - says Cardinal George Pell, one of the 117 men who will elect a new pontiff next month, reports The Sunday Telegraph.
   It would seem to me that a Pope who is inspiring, daring, loving and filled with the Spirit, is the kind of leader that many of God's people are calling out for.
   Hopefully apart from the all attributes that the writer of the article says the Cardinals embody, I would hope above all that they are good listeners to Christ's Living Body-The Church; hearing the heart throb of the Faithful, and the cries of 'the poor in spirit' is surely a major part of the Holy Spirit's voice in terms of who the future Pope might be.

   Posted By: Kevin Walsh

9. Garry: Contemporary society, at least in the West, requires dialectical critique rooted in sound Church teaching as much as it does dialogue - not least beginning with the principle of non-contradiction for Christians who insist on having their cake and eating it.

   Posted By: John

10. The Cardinal says 'may well be an Italian'...
    Since 25% of the total number of Cardinal electors are Italians, and the Pope having recently appointed more Italians, it is more than likely that an Italian has a chance.
    After all, they believe the Pope is theirs, and they may vote as a block irrespective of other considerations. After all, Rome is in Italy, and Benedict appears to favour an Italian himslef in spite of the fact that a massive 39% of Catholics live in South America and 16% in Africa. Only 3.4% live in Italy and 24% in Europe.

    Posted By: Peter M

11. I disagree with Michael Furtado when he states that George Cardinal Pell is Australia's most eminent catholic.
    He wears the cardinal's garb but he is head of the Sydney Archdioces not the whole of Australia, although most media who lack proper reserch nearly always state Cardinal Pell is head of church in Australia.
    It is rare indeed if this is ever corrected.
    I personally know of many eminent catholics, full of the holy spirit and generous in their attitudes and care of, their fellow humans.

    Posted By: Margasret Saunders

12. The duty of all catholic people.
    The Pope confirms us all in that.
    He should not be isolated!

    Posted By: D. Davies.

13. The Pope doesn't have to try to make the Chruch relevant at all. The Church is to change the world, not be changed by it.
    The Church's only concern should be faithfulness to the doctrine handed down by the apostles - and love.
    In Revelation, we see from the Lord's messages to the Seven Churches, these were the things on which they were judged. If they faililed to live up them or be corrected, the Lord would remove his lamo from them - they would die.
    If 95% of people left the Faithful Church - the condemntation is on them, and probably the wole world.
    The Lord himself would 'correct the conscience' of the world.

    Posted By: Brian

14. After reading Margaret's post about how the church is hung up on sex, well, that is because our western society is hung up on sex.
    Some groups base their whole life on sexual matters and freedom to do what they want with sex.
    So, if people want the church to lay off sex, then our society should focus on something else, too.
    Yes, I believe in helping the poor, the homeless, etc.
    That is what the church has been doing along with other religions, too. However, some elements of western society turn the focus from the most important issues to sexual ones, especially the media, and once again, the so called sexual revolution people force the spritual leaders to deal with sexual issues again because our western society thinks of very little else themselves.

    Posted By: Marty Dancy

15. Contrary to most comments here, the Church will not compromise its moral teachings.
    Perhaps a quick read of John Paul II's Theology of the Body might enlighten their world view.
    The Church's obsession is with the 'culture of death' which is responsible for most of the world's problems.
    This attack on the dignity of the human person compromises other offenses such as economic injustuce, greed, violence, oppression... and so forth.

    Posted By: Ronnie

16. Cardinel Pell may express his concern about the evils of modern society but fails to include the evils plaguing the church from within - sexual abuse of children and that of the devious ways of covering up such horrors by those in the Church.
    The Church desperately needs strong and decisive leadership that will dare to make radical changes to ensure that its own house is in order before it presumes to identify the 'evils' in modern society.
    It will take more than any Pope to do this but hopefully the new Pope will bring lots of new blood into the leadership ranks, and together they can transform from within first.

    Posted By: Alison Conlan

17. Perhaps this article doesn't contain everything Cardinal Pell said, but I sure would like to hear our pastors put a little more emphasis on the power of the Holy Spirit to guide the spotless bride of Christ on such matters.
    While I concede that the free will of man can influence even this process, we already know Christ is the victor and that the Church will prevail... whether we get a 'good' or a 'bad' Pope. Certainly, let's pray that the Holy Spirit will guide them though.
    I'm not ready for the persecutions if we can't start turning the world around here pretty soon.
    As a backup, maybe we ought to also pray for the courage to be martyrs when they start coming for us.

    Posted By: Kory

18. The world needs the strength of leadership which is the direct response to Jesus' call for obedience and understanding.
    Our clergy are treating their vocations as employment rather than aa calling from God.
    Bishops are assuming authority with little regard for the magisterium of the church and there is little evidence of admission and reconciliation for the causes of the problems in the church at the local level. It is vital that we return to the one true church and we pray that our bishops will obey the norms and recommendations of the Magisterium.

    Posted By: Paul Musial

19. This is a conservative conclave. The decks have been stacked by John Paul II and Benedict.
    The Holy Spirit had better be doing His thing and moving mountains.
    If ever prayers need answering it is now.
    I don't think I can bear the thought of another barren decade or two with another out of touch pontiff at the helm, clinging for dear life to the old and terrified of the new.
    If the Holy Spirit can inspire Benedict to retire maybe he can do more. God willing.

    Posted By: Nicola

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