What I Want in a New Pope

Written By: Kim - Mar• 11•13

The Catholic Church’s cardinals are in conclave. Starting tomorrow, they will begin voting on a new pope. Here’s are three things I want our new pope to seriously consider.

Swiss Guards protect the Vatican and the pope. ©Mike Howard

Swiss Guards protect the Vatican and the pope. ©Mike Howard

1. A true role and voice for women. I understand the Catholic church’s long history of men running the show. But, there are no women in positions of power at the Vatican. There, I said it out loud. My local church still stands and lightening has not struck me (yet). It’s about time that the men who run the Catholic church let the women who comprise a large portion their flock have a direct voice to the pope. There is something inane about a group of celibate, single men telling women how to do things. I am not suggesting that the church drastically change it’s stance on issues overnight. I am simply suggesting that women have a direct voice to the church’s CEO: the pope. When you surround yourself with people just like you, you have limited perspective. I don’t care how holy you are. I am simply asking that you expand your horizons.

2. A voice for abuse victims. Some of you created it. Many of you overlooked it. The church condemned it but only after news agencies caught wind of it. Do not let this happen again. Ever. VIRTUS training is only a starting point. Stop protecting your own and turn them in to the local police. Defrock them once they are found guilty. It’s really pretty simple.

3. Look ahead instead of becoming steeped in tradition. As with any CEO, the board of directors, shareholders and employees expect you to be able to see around corners. Tradition is nice for ceremonies, but that’s about it. Look ahead a decade or two and decide where the Catholic church needs to go.

Posted in Catholic, Catholic Church Abuse Scandal, Diversity, Failure, women's activisim , , , , , | No Comments »

A Rude Awakening But A Lesson Learned

Written By: Kim - Jan• 26•13

Recently, I was in a local eatery at o’dark thirty. My daughter and her school project partner were with me. We had to deliver them and the project to school. You know that it’s risky to take a school project on to the bus.

As we were eating breakfast, another student from their school walked in with her Mom. The girls said they did not want her to see them and that she was a mean girl. After this girl and her Mom finished ordering, the Mom suddenly exploded at the child. She was yelling about her mumbling and chastising her for not speaking up. This woman was loud nasty for o’dark thirty. Well, she was loud and nasty for any time of the day actually. Clearly no one is awake at this time, especially tweens and teens. They are practically walking zombies until 11 am anyway.

red button

©Billy Alexander via stock.xchng

This woman’s public display of crassness, poor parenting and rantings were good reminders to me of how not to parent my children. I told the girls that this Mom’s behavior probably explains why this other student is mean. If that is all you hear from your parents, it’s what you become.

I won’t lie. I lose my temper with my children. And, yes, I raise my voice, sometimes more than I care to admit. Parenting children is not for the faint of heart. But this woman’s behavior certainly caught my attention. It was an excellent reminder of how not to act, in public or private.

Posted in Children, Failure, junior high school, Parenting , , , , | No Comments »
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