The Pope: Warns of Danger to Your Children.

 Most people are aware of the Catholic Church’s scandals relating to the rape and other sexual abuse of children by its priests, and the cover-ups and obstruction of justice by church officials.  Today, however, the Pope has taken what he apparently believes is a step toward assuring children, and the world, that he and his organization have the best interests of the children at heart.

Pope Benedict spoke at St Mary’s University College, Twickenham today, September 17, 2010.  The Pope warned the audience that children should beware of the “celebrity culture” where “children are encouraged to model themselves on figures from sports and entertainment.”  The Pope also opined on the nature of success and money, and made clear that being successful is not a key to happiness.

The Pope’s criticism of “celebrity culture” and “career success” is curious, since he embraces both, and is head of one of the wealthiest organizations in the world.

The Pope is a celebrity.  Let us be clear.  The Pope was not referring to all celebrities when he warned against them. What he condemns is non-Papal celebrity culture.  Benedict has no quarrel with accolades, cheers, songs, screaming fans, thrown flowers, honorifics, parades, and widespread media coverage and adoration, when he is the beneficiary.  He welcomes and fosters that.

The Pope is also an ambitious, career oriented man.  What more career success can one man have than to be head of the Catholic Church, the Vicar of Christ on Earth, the Supreme Pontiff, head of the Holy See, Servant of the Servants of God, Patriarch of the West, leader of the Vatican City-State with all the trappings of diplomatic immunity and the ear of the United Nations?  He holds, literally, the Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven, and has ascended to the height of infallibility which, per the Lumen Gentium (1964), “extends as far as the deposit of Revelation extends” (i.e., as far as he says God says it should go).  If career success does not help people find happiness in life, then the Pope must be a very unhappy man indeed.

A true concern for the lives of children might well start with finally coming clean on the priestly child sex abuse scandal.  Perhaps a better use of the number one Catholic celebrity’s time could have been used truthfully, honestly, and openly addressing that issue.

During today’s Papal visit, many protesters urged the Pope to stop protecting pedophilic rapists, and cooperate with local authorities throughout the world in bringing criminals within the church to justice.  With all due respect to the Pope’s concern about celebrity cultures and career success, a good first step toward happiness in a child’s life would probably be the avoidance of sexual abuse and rape.  Failing that, some step toward healing for those who have already been abused would be a nice gesture.  Words alone, however, ring hollow.

The Church is not, at present, in a position of any moral authority to be warning children of dangers.  It has been a very visible source of those dangers.  Catholic priests have ruined more children’s lives than celebrity fandom or career ambition ever could. The Catholic hierarchy added insult to those injuries by protecting the abusers and shunning the abused.  Its “apologies” have thus far been too little, too empty, too soulless and too late.

I would venture to guess that most parents see more dangers in unwelcome priestly encounters, than in time wasted adoring Lady Gaga and bucking for a promotion.  The Pope, apparently, orders his concerns differently.

I wonder if Frank Zappa knew how wise and prophetic he was, three decades ago, when he said, “My best advice to anyone who wants to raise a happy, mentally healthy child is: Keep him or her as far away from a church as you can”  Amen, brother.