Modern Challenges
XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX
REL/134
March 23, 2015
Professor XXXXXXXXXXXX

Modern Challenges Out of the many religions of the world and that were focused on during this class, I chose to focus on Christianity, specifically Catholicism. As the oldest Christian religion and notably the most unique and specific, Catholicism is revered throughout the world. It is the most talked about, both in society and religiously and the most controversial among the different Christian religions.
As a world religion, there are some similarities that are shared with the other religions. The first similarity is the deity God that is worships. Among the Christian, Jewish and Islam world, God is the only deity that is worshipped. How he is viewed and worshipped is the only difference. The second similarity is between the Jewish, Islam and Catholic religions. This similarity is the traditions and rituals. Even though these traditions and rituals are performed in different ways and for different reasons, they are the foundation that holds our religions together. Finally the last similarity between the Christian, Jewish, Islam and Catholic faiths is that they originated from the same genealogy. In the Bible the reader gets to the story of Abraham. It is during this story that two faiths emerge, Jewish (Hebrew) and the Islam religion. The rest of the Bible focuses on the Jewish history and leaves behind Islam. However, it is during the time after Jesus’ death that the reader is introduced to the Christians that formed the Catholic (universal) faith. After several hundred years people became disgruntled with the Catholic Church and broke away to form many other religions with their own doctrines.
In today’s world, religion is not as focused on. With the growing number of Protestants, non-believers and atheists, plus the continuous shift of morality and world challenges, the Catholic Church is slowly moving forward. Taking a look into the past, the observers will see that the Church has always moved at a snail’s pace when it comes to world challenges. The Church lives by this quote from St. Paul “The world as we know it is always passing away”. That is why the slow movement is so important. In order for the Church to act it needs divine permission from God and to weed out the modern phases of life. If the Church jumped to each new challenge the Church would falter because beliefs and values would constantly be changing with no foundation to hold it firm. During St. Pope John Paul II life, he stated “The Catholic social tradition is on in which the faithful are obliged to be active in working for Justice, Freedom, respect for the dignity of the person, the common good, and peace”. (Glendon) In order for the Church to help in any of the world challenges, the faithful are called to live out what they believe. That is why they fight for the lives of the unborn babies, for the elderly that are mistreated in care facilities and by doctors, as well as, giving to the poor. In every country of the world the Church is actively trying to make the world a better and safer place for all humans. The Catholic Church has missions and hospitals that educate, feed and care for as many people as possible. These organizations are funded by the faithful all around the world as well as many businesses and donors.
Over the past 4 years since Pope Francis was chosen as Pontiff, he has travelled the world to address many world issues that plague society. During these meetings, he has addressed and tried to find ways to combat the violence, mistreatment and pollution that affect people worldwide. He has met with world and religious leaders to try to come to peaceful resolution between the different religions and countries. He has spoken out against poverty and mistreatment of refugees that are fleeing war zones and the unsafe living conditions that are found throughout the Middle East and now Western Europe. He has also clarified the Church’s teachings in the areas of homosexual relationships and what it means to live a Christian life.
Finally, how are the roles of women in the Catholic Church are being clarified? This is one of the biggest struggles that plague the Church. The Western world feels that women should have more prominent roles, whereas the Eastern world sees no reason to make any changes. Watching the news over the past few years would show the viewers that change is needed, but how much. As the Church has been discussing this very important matter, the different dioceses of the world have been experiences a rapid decline in female attendees. Knowing the Church history, viewers understand this topic will not be rushed or silenced. Since the beginning of time, the women’s role has always been to the family and the men’s role has been to providing for the family. Women have always been revered as strong, important and treasured individuals. However, with the feminist movement of the 1920’s and the push to allow women to do everything men do has pushed the Church to consider changed be made so that women can have a more important role. Pope Francis has many thoughts on this area. He knew that women needed to be involved in a deeper theology of the faith. “And while his call for a deeper theology of women indicates that he understands that the Church’s doctrine on women’s roles is out of step, his experience as a pastor has shown him that women are already running day-to-day operations of churches, religious schools, parishes and social-service organizations”. (O’Neil) He also has stated “It is essential that women not only be more listened to, but that her voice has real weight, a recognized authoritativeness both in society and in the Church”. (Vatican Radio)
To many this would mean nothing, but as a Church that understands that if they took out the women’s role in the Church and society, nothing would be accomplished and progress would never be made. With women performing the day-to-day jobs, and giving their input into important topics such as family, it gives the leaders of the Church time to focus on leading, teaching, and counseling the flock. These jobs wouldn’t be done if men were left with all the responsibilities.
As indicated above, there are many similarities between the Catholic Church and other religions. The very foundation of the Church is a part of what drives society and how people view the world. By removing such a profound institution, the challenges of the world would increase and women would be viewed more as objects instead of the treasured and important individuals they are today. Even with the scrutiny the Church is under today, it continues to be the largest and fastest growing religion in the world with the most influence to society.

References
Glendon, Mary Ann. (2001). Globalization and the Church’s New Challenge. CERC. www.catholiceducation.org.

O’Neil, Lorena. Catholicism and women: The winds of Change. USA Today News. www.usatoday.com.

The changing role of women in the Catholic Church. Vatican Radio. En.radiovaticana.va

The Bible

Summary
There are many similarities between the Catholic Church and other religions. The very foundation of the Church is a part of what drives society and how people view the world. By removing such a profound institution, the challenges of the world would increase and women would be viewed more as objects instead of the treasured and important individuals they are today. Even with the scrutiny the Church is under today, it continues to be the largest and fastest growing religion in the world with the most influence to society.
Overview
1. Christianity, Catholicism, Judaism, Islam share the same God 2. Judaism, Islam and Catholicism follow traditions and rituals 3. Christianity, Catholicism, Judaism, Islam are part of the same genealogy 4. The Catholic Church moves slowly with the changing society 5. Pope Francis has addressed many social topics with world and religious leaders over the past 4 years 6. Pope Francis has been clarifying major topics such as homosexuality and how to live a Christian life 7. Women are major contributors to the Church and Society 8. Without women’s roles, society would not be as progressed as it is today