Within the Catholic Church, the pope certainly carries considerable, and some might say absolute, power and authority. At his recent Yankee Stadium service, he reminded viewers that Catholicism requires obedience to church teachings and humble deference to church authority on spiritual matters. He is like a stern but loving father who cares for his children completely but also requires they do as he says. For practitioners of this faith tradition, this can be both a comfort and a cause for questioning.
However, his influence beyond the Catholic Church can be a tremendous benefit to world peace and ecumenical harmony if he searches for common ground with other faith traditions. If he meets with the faith leaders of Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Sufism, Protestantism — and even those who claim no faith tradition — and works toward ending violence and in helping those who suffer, it could be a tremendously beneficial act.
Firm adherence to church teachings while reaching out to other faith traditions does not diminish or threaten one’s faith. All religions have a common place of peace. The great Sufi poet, Rumi, once wrote: “Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right-doing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there.”
Let us hope the pope, the Dalai Lama and all those who desire peace and love meet in that field.
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