What George and the Cardinals Need To Consider When Choosing the New Pope

I'm tempted to leave my Pope comment as a just a link to here, like several other bloggers have done. So much said so simply.

Problem is, although I'm not a Catholic, SWMBO is, and my kids go to a local Catholic school. I have a vested interest in seeing that the next bloke who gets to wear the robes and the funny hat is the correct choice.

This is a message for George and his mates as they get together in a couple of weeks time to choose JP2's successor. Here's what the new pontiff you elect needs to do to bring the Church into the 21st century:

1. Let priests marry.

   The church has a huge shortage of priests, and is it any wonder? The thought of going through life in alone and in sexual deprivation would test the resolve of most men. It would seem that those who'd be otherwise willing to take on the job are not, for this very reason.

   Letting priests marry may also lessen the temptation of a few weaker personalities from preying on the more defenceless members of their congregations. (Then again, it may not. These degenerates exist in all walks of life.)

2. Lift the ridiculous ban on contraception.

   Every Catholic who I've known well enough to ask has ignored this edict. That's OK for Catholics in developed nations.

   It causes real damage in the third world, where the spread of AIDS is decimating populations and the people act on what the church dictates. Condom use would slow the spread of the disease. The church is not looking after these people by telling them that condom use is sinful.

   And, of course, many third world families would be much better off with less kids to feed.

3. Give women a greater role in the Church.

   Some proddy denominations have done it and it hasn't caused the spires to fall over. I'm not suggesting that women priests should be introduced overnight; a gradual introduction of women towards the goal of ordination is what's needed. Aim for the first ordained female priest by 2012.

4. Let openly gay people take communion.

   They're human beings too. If you believe what you preach, God made them that way.

5. Make a rule to force your own retirement at 80, and introduce a mechanism to force your retirement if it's obvious that you're incapacitated to the point where you can't perform your duties.

   A previous pope introduced a rule that cardinals over 80 can't vote in papal elections. If being over 80 is to old to vote, then surely it's also to old to hold the position.

   A lot of commentators saw the determination of JP2 to carry on to the end as inspiring. I saw it as detremental to the running of the church. I can't say that he was unable to function until the very end, but I wonder what would have happened if he'd had an illness that didn't kill or physically incapacitate him, but rendered him unable to perform his duties, eg, if he'd had dementia?

George, they're big issues and ones that you and the other cardinals need to consider when choosing the next Pope. I'm sure you're all up to the task.