Whoever takes the helm of the Vatican after the shock resignation of Benedict XVI will inherit a problem on his own doorstep.
Home to more than a quarter of a billion Catholics, the headquarters of the Holy See, a wellspring of doctrine and a source of manpower that has helped make converts throughout the world, Europe is the church’s heartland.
Except for half a dozen early Popes born in North Africa or Palestine, Europe has provided all the pontiffs over nearly 2000 years of papal history. Of the 118 cardinals called to next month’s conclave to choose a new Pope more than half will be from Europe, 21 from Italy, the largest number from any single country.
But Catholicism in Europe is in trouble. Countries that were Catholic stalwarts have pushed through laws liberalising abortion, widening access to contraception, permitting divorce or civil partnerships, secular teachings in school and authorising gay civil unions, even marriage. In many nations, church attendances are plummeting. Europe may retain its clout within the Vatican, but its share of the world’s tally of Catholics has fallen to below a quarter, according to official figures.
In the 16th century, anger at corruption gave birth to Protestantism. The present crisis – less sensational but almost as draining – can be traced back nearly half a century.
Some cite hostility to bans on contraception set down in the 1960s by Pope Paul VI, discord with the Vatican’s animosity towards homosexuals and scandals over sexual abuse of children by renegade priests. Others point to conservatism that is out of touch with modern urban life. Continue reading