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As a conclave approaches, it is important to put forward some suggestions that one hopes will be considered relevant by the Cardinals called to elect the successor of Peter. In truth, given the importance and centrality of these themes, it should not even be doubted that they are considered important for a future Pontiff, but given the times, repetita iuvant.
God
The discourse on God must return to the center of preaching. The evil in the world, which makes it so difficult for some to believe in a merciful and infinitely good God, must be seen from God’s own perspective and not through sociological, anthropological, or psychological categories. These disciplines can aid reflection, but only if illuminated by the light of faith, and not followed with undue reverence. God must be placed again at the center of everything.
Liturgy
We must have the courage to face the deep crisis in liturgy and sacred music. We must recognize where we have failed and try to rebuild from the ruins. We should not, as many unfortunately do today in the Church, glorify the ruins as if they were our natural home. They are the sign of a failure which, as the numbers show, has certainly not kept the faithful in church. Do not blame young people who seek spiritual comfort in traditional liturgical forms, but ask yourselves why.
Tradition
“Tradition” must again become a beautiful word and not be associated with mental disorders or psychological issues. It is one of the sources of Revelation and offers us access to the eternal. One shouldn’t even need to add this word to “Catholic,” because a Catholic is, by definition, “traditional.” The misuse of the word “tradition” stems precisely from the crisis of the concept of “Catholic” and Catholic identity. Quite simply, a Catholic against tradition ceases to be Catholic.
Money
Beware of the dangers of pauperism. In our civilization, money is necessary, and it is also necessary for the Church, which without it could not properly carry out her mission in the world, nor maintain churches, schools, hospitals, and so on. We must understand that money is necessary, and while it can be a temptation, it must be met with education for its proper use. We should not demonize money or sex, but their abuse.
Apologetics
We must return to sound apologetics; we must be able to give reason for the hope that is in us in a society increasingly indifferent to Christ. Let us reconsider catechetics, which in many cases has become sociology. We must return to teaching the fundamentals of the faith and be able to defend them in an increasingly hostile society.
Identity
We must once again understand what Catholic identity consists of, which in recent decades has been increasingly watered down. We must rediscover the courage to walk the via pulchritudinis, the way of beauty. Through great art the Church built her identity, which the world envied. Let us reclaim our Catholic identity without inferiority complexes toward the world.
Mission
Mission is not about making friends with others, but about bringing new souls to Christ. The great missionaries left everything behind not to appreciate other cultures, but to convert people and urge them to follow Christ. We must return to a strong sense of mission.
Priesthood
The crisis of the priesthood must be addressed, especially the crisis of priestly identity, which has turned priests into a sort of psychological consultant rather than shepherds of souls. In recent years, the crisis has also grown at the level of bishops and their role in governing the universal Church in communion with the Supreme Pontiff. Let us return to a sound ecclesiology.
World
We are in the world but not of the world. We must be in the world like salt; we should not water down the soup served by the powers of this world. We must have the courage of our convictions and not fear the judgment of others. The only judgment that matters is God’s.
Last Things
We must speak of death, eternal life, and Christian hope. Let us not fear to frighten people—because they are already frightened. What is needed is to call everyone back to the truth of our existence and to explain why Christian hope is neither irrational nor vain.
