First, I would like to discuss the importance of religion in modern society, from political to health to social issues, before discussing the specific importance of Pope Benedict XVI and his recent trips to Latin and South America.
In
light of religion, Catholicism as an exemplar, and its influence on
global policies, religious rhetoric and the ways that people
incorporate religion into their lives is of the utmost importance.
Considering that more than 80% of
the world considers itself religious, with nearly 1 billion people
believing specifically in Catholicism, the words and messages of the
Pope, a social and cultural icon, have great influence in the modern
day proceedings around the world. Religious leaders still have
positions of prominence in many countries, from America's religious
right to the Iranian Ayatollah, and their opinions can influence
constituents and thus policy-makers in making decisions for entire
countries and regions.
For example, the
Catholic Church has repeatedly advocated against contraception use in
Africa, despite the threat of HIV/AIDS transmission in the
population. African religious leaders and missionaries tending to the
sick there also preach abstinence and avoiding contraception, making
it difficult for those advocating for condom use and safer sex to
reduce HIV transmission to gain a foothold in many African
populations. Religious influences may subvert scientific treatments
for the disease and restrict those who have access to contraceptive
measures that may restrict the transmission of the virus.
As Hilary Clinton
stated in her UN speech this year, there is a new human rights issue
plaguing the nation. The human rights of homosexual, bisexual, and
transgender individuals have been denied in many countries, including
America, for reasons that have roots in tradition, morality, and
faith. The Catholic Church has been against recognizing homosexual
unions, allowing adoption for same-sex couples, and offering gender
neutral or more inclusive options for identification. Followers of
Catholicism define marriage as being between a man and a woman. These
teachings are not limited to Catholicism as many religious groups
oppose contraception and rights for the LGBTQ community. However, in
both the US and internationally, Catholicism can be considered an
exemplar of religious influence in politics, social order, and
community building.
Because the Pope heavily influences the Catholic community through encyclicals, proclamations, and visiting speeches, his words, ideas, and priorities can change the tides for political, social, and cultural policies and traditions. His influence may be epitomized by a recent Miami Herald article which states "Pope's visit to Cuba leaves little reason for hope". This may be a comparison to claims that Pope John Paul II helped spur the fall of communism as Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Cuba was one of mixed reviews. While a New York Times article referenced the Pope's urging of political reform, this request fell on deaf ears as politicians stated that political reforms would not be following the economic ones. Can we really describe this visit as a failure, though? It was the first visit to Cuba since John Paul II's visit in 1998 and symbolically shows that the Pope and Catholicism has not forgotten Cuba. Above all, I think that Benedict's visit reinforces the idea that he and perhaps many Catholics feel that the Pope does have the power to influence governments. If not, I feel there would not have been such negative reviews of the visit, as if him arriving and speaking there would change the entire political climate of the country.
In the case of the Pope, it is hard to delineate where one's expectations are too high or too low. His influence in global power is unmistakable and perhaps unmatched, but there are limits to the effectiveness of single visits and requests. In respect to the Easter holiday today, I admire the faith placed in the Pope to exact political change in Cuba but also critique how quickly this faith can turn to disappointment. The Pope is one man, and surely the world would not want one man, no matter their background or faith, to have such power and control over governments, nations, and people. But, it appears that the Pope does, because people and the media give him this power. Considering Pope Benedict XVI's tendency to be more conservative and to follow the letter of the Bible, there may be more changes in the Catholic community to come.
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