Traditional pope takes modern step

It's something the Benedictine nuns told me -- then told me again -- during my years in parochial school: The pope is the successor of St. Peter, the apostle Jesus singled out as the leader of his church.

“You are Peter,” Jesus says in Matthew’s Gospel, “and upon this rock, I will build my church.”

Well, by the time I went on to Jesuit high school, I had learned more about the world and history and the papacy.

And while I’m not saying I came to disbelieve this idea of Peter-as-the-first-pope, I sure could tell that Pope Paul VI – the pontiff during my growing up years – looked nothing like a humble fisherman.

A medieval king was more like it.

Like the monarchs of old, he wore royal garb, he had a Roman numeral behind his name, and he planned to rule until he drew his last breath.

All of those attributes applied to every pope I’d ever heard of.

So imagine my shock last Monday when, at 6:15 a.m., a stunningly loud CNN news alert on my iPhone woke me from a now-forgotten dream.

“Pope Benedict XVI will resign Feb. 28,” it read.

“Resign?” I said out loud. “Popes don’t resign.”

You know the rest of the story: The 85-year-old pontiff is, indeed, giving up his throne – the first pope to do so in nearly 600 years.

I talked to a lot of Catholics in the hours after the news broke. And the comment that opened my eyes to the real significance of Benedict XVI’s decision came from the Rev. Frank O’Rourke, pastor at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte.

In resigning, O’Rourke told me, the pope “recognizes that the papacy and the church are bigger than him. When he realized he didn’t have the stamina, he stepped down. It’s a good witness to leadership: It’s a leadership of service, not a leadership of power.”

Wow.

Turns out Benedict, who seemed to be the ultimate traditionalist, had done something very modern.

I’m betting he was sending a signal to his flock that being pope is not about reigning, it’s about serving. And when you can no longer do that job, it’s time to let somebody else try.

It took grand humility for him to turn over the keys to the kingdom, er, the Vatican while he was still alive.

Maybe it’ll help convince his successor that, in the 21st century, maybe it’s time to get rid of all the royal trappings and the divine-right-of-kings mindset and, well, start acting more like a humble fisherman.

These last few days I’ve been thinking of that 1960s movie, starring Anthony Quinn, about a Russian archbishop who becomes pope. At his papal coronation, he removes his crown and announces that he plans to sell most of the church’s treasures to feed the world’s poor.

It’s called “The Shoes of the Fisherman.” But it reminded me not of Peter, but of his boss. In the Gospels, it was Jesus who told the rich man who wanted to follow him to first sell all he had and give it to the poor.

Now, wouldn’t that be leadership of service.

-- Tim Funk

Readers speak up about meanings of "pro-life"

Many of you accepted my invitation last week to send along your thoughts about what “pro-life” means. Should it be limited to abortion? Can a person be both “pro-life” and “pro-gun”?

Here’s a sampling:

“The number of deaths (from abortion) is similar to Sept. 11 repeating each and every day! Yes, all life is sacred and must be defended. But based on the facts, isn’t it clear why the primary pro-life focus is against abortion? – Bob Desch, Charlotte.

“I have always wondered about that juxtaposition of ‘pro-life and pro-gun’ and thought it incongruous at best. The best time to be poor in America is within the womb.” – Jenny Fuller, Charlotte.

“To me, the term (‘pro-life’) means protection of innocent life. A fetus, thanks to medical science, is viable earlier and earlier. To me, there is no question that this is an innocent unborn child. By contrast, if a man broke into my home, intending to do harm to my family, I would have no problem shooting and killing that man. A gun is an instrument that can be used for good or evil. There is no reason that the pro-life position and the pro-gun rights position would be mutually exclusive.” – Joanna Reynolds, Charlotte.

“War is just as important a life issue (as abortion). We have become so accustomed to supporting war with our dollars and military hero worship that we fail to recognize war is killing – just as abortion, euthanasia and suicide are. Are there really any victims of war who are not innocent? Are military personnel ordered to kill or be killed not also innocent victims, as are the children killed almost daily by our drone strikes?” – Kenneth Schammel, Cornelius.

“How about following up on the ultimate hypocrisy of liberals who are pro-choice and anti-death penalty? They are willing to grant the right to life for convicted rapists and serial killers and yet deny that same right to innocent unborn children.” – Stuart Smith, Salisbury.

“Here’s a bumper sticker which expressed my opinion on the subject. (It reads): ‘GET REAL. Like Jesus Would Ever Own a Gun & Vote Republican.” – Rollin Raymond, Charlotte.

“Just once I would like to hear some writer/reporter tell the true reason 20 children were killed in Newtown: A mother of a disturbed son went to a gun store and bought guns for her son, took him to a firing range and taught him how to use the guns, then did not lock up the guns when they returned home. The number of guns, or the rounds the guns held, had nothing to do with the slaughter of innocent children.” – Archie Pearson, Taylorsville

And for the sake of balance, here’s one from a reader in Davidson who asked that his name be withheld:

“There is simply no question that (Catholic) Church authorities, despite Cardinal (Joseph) Bernardin’s powerful teaching of the Church’s position as a ‘seamless garment of life,’ have for decades abandoned that position for a very narrow focus on abortion to the exclusion of all other issues. That’s why the Church is losing so very many of us. It wants attending, but not attentive, Catholics. Sorry padres, but I was actually paying attention to everything you taught me through university, and the one who’s straying from Catholic teaching is you, not me.”

-- Tim Funk

Myers Park Baptist pastor plans Feb. 17 return

The Rev. Steve Shoemaker, who checked himself into a 30-day treatment center late last year, plans to return to the pulpit at Myers Park Baptist Church on Feb. 17.

Shoemaker -- pastor of the 2,200-member liberal church for 13 years -- told his flock in a Dec, 28 letter that, after struggling with depression and anxiety as well as recent self-medication with alcohol, "I'm physically, psychologically and spiritually depleted and must get help."

He entered a treatment facility in Maryland.

In an email this week to church members, board of deacons chair Richard Pearsall announced that Shoemaker had returned to Charlotte and would soon return to the pulpit.

"He is in the process of establishing an active aftercare program," Pearsall wrote. "Steve will return to our pulpit on Sunday, February 17. I hope you can join us for worship that day to offer him a warm welcome back."

Observer interviews with members of the church last month turned up much support and understanding for the high-profile preacher.

-- Tim Funk

Are you 'pro-life and pro-gun'?

Over the years, as a political reporter (when I wasn’t a religion reporter), I've heard more than a few candidates use this phrase to identify themselves ideologically: "I'm pro-life and pro-gun."

It has become shorthand for: “I’m against abortion and I’m against gun control.”

I get that. Still, the pairing of “pro-life” and “pro-gun” in the same sentence always made my head spin a little.

Even in religious circles, the term “pro-life” has been commandeered by anti-abortion activists to refer mostly to the right of fetuses to be born. This pro-life movement has the support of conservatives from various denominations. But it has long appeared strongest in the Roman Catholic Church, whose hierarchy – from the Vatican to the bishops – has clearly identified abortion as the church’s main social issue.

So it was newsworthy last week when a group of liberal Catholics – theologians, priests, nuns and ex-ambassadors to the Vatican – released a letter calling on those who consider themselves “pro-life” to expand the meaning of that term after the slaughter of children and their teachers in Newtown, Conn.

These victims of gun violence also had a right to life, said the group, arguing that “the defense of human dignity extends beyond protecting life in the womb.”

The letter was especially meant for conservative Catholics in Congress. That includes House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, but also GOP Reps. Mick Mulvaney of Indian Land, S.C.; Patrick McHenry of Cherryville; Virginia Foxx of Banner Elk; Walter Jones of Farmville; and Renee Ellmers of Dunn.

From the letter: “Pro-life citizens and elected officials have a responsibility to show greater moral leadership and political courage when it comes to confronting threats to the sanctity of life posed by easy access to military-style assault weapons and high capacity magazines.”

Ellmers, a member of Congress’ Pro-Life Caucus, recently released her own statement, accusing President Barack Obama of “exploiting (Newtown) for political gain” with his plans to restrict some high-powered weapons.

This “pro-life” debate is old.

In 1983, Cardinal (and S.C. native) Joseph Bernardin of Chicago famously said in a speech that Catholic social teaching favored “a seamless garment of life” – his metaphor, taken from the Gospels, for upholding the sanctity of life from the womb to the tomb.

His call for consistency meant opposing not just abortion and euthanasia, but also nuclear weapons, the death penalty, most wars, and policies – including draconian budget cuts – that destroyed the poor’s quality of life.

Today, the Vatican and the U.S. bishops agree with Bernardin on many of those issues – at least on paper. They’re also on record as favoring “sensible regulation” of handguns and other firearms.

But most of the church’s activism still focuses on abortion. Take this month’s Marches for Life in Washington and Charlotte.

Some years ago, various Catholic bishops – including Bishop Peter Jugis of the Charlotte Diocese – issued orders to deny Communion to Catholic elected officials with “pro-choice” voting records.

Will they ever extend that ban to Catholic politicians who are “pro-life and pro-gun”?

What do you think “pro-life” means?

-- Tim Funk 

Billy Graham Library will salute 104-year-old Shea

Impressed that Billy Graham is still going at 94 years old? Well, he's but a kid compared to George Beverly Shea, who turns 104 on Friday!

For decades, Shea's baritone was a highlight at Graham Crusades as he sang "How Great Thou Art" and "I'd Rather Have Jesus."

To honor his big birthday, Charlotte's Billy Graham Library will offer a special exhibit, starting Friday. It's called "How Sweet the Sound: A Tribute to George Beverly Shea."

Included will be memorabilia from the legendary Gospel singer's long career, which started on Chicago radio. Highlights of the display include the piano on which he composed the music to the popular hymn “I’d Rather Have Jesus;” his Lifetime Achievement Grammy (awarded in 2011) and a Western Electric Model 633A "Salt Shaker" microphone that Shea used at WMBI in Chicago in the early 1940s.

"I would feel lost getting up to preach if Bev were not there to prepare the way through an appropriate song," Billy Graham wrote about Shea in his autobiography. "But I will always be grateful not only for his musical contributions to our Crusades but also for his warm spirit and his personal friendship over the years."

These days, Shea and his wife live in Montreat --  less than a mile away from the Graham home.

 The Library's exhibit is free and will go until March 31. Guests will have the opportunity to write a personal birthday greeting to Shea during its opening week.

The Billy Graham Library is at 4330 Westmont Drive. It's open Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

 Watch the library's tribute video at its site. You'll have to click on "George Beverly Shea at 104," then on "Events," and then on "'How Sweet the Sound: A Tribute to George Beverly Shea." It's worth all the clicking: You'll get snippets some of some of Shea;s vintage performances.

-- Tim Funk

Watch the library's tribute video.

Poll: 3-in-10 say God will help decide Super Bowl

Who will win Sunday's Super Bowl? God only knows -- literally. Or so say nearly 3-in-10 Americans in a new survey.

The Public Religion Institute found that 27 percent of those polled in its January tracking survey believe that God plays a role in determining which team wins sports events.

In the football-lovin' South, an even greater percentage -- 36 percent -- think the Almighty has a stake in the outcome of games on the field.

The survey also found that a majority of Americans -- 53 percent -- do agree that God rewards athletes who have faith with good health and success. Forty-two percent said no way that's right.

But there's also this finding: 41 percent of those surveyed said they watch sports at least once a week, while only 37 percent said they go to a house of worship at least once a week.

Check out more findings.

A random sample of 1,033 adults were interviewed Jan. 16-20. Margin of error: 3.5 percentage points.

-- Tim Funk

CLT: One of America's top 'Bible-minded' cities

Hello from the Observer's new/old Faith & Values reporter!

After more than a year of covering politicians -- especially the ones who came to town for the DNC -- I am back to covering preachers in and around Charlotte.

The same Charlotte, by the way, that was recently named one of America's "10 Most Bible-Minded Cities" in America.

That's according to a new ranking by the New York-based American Bible Society, which surveyed residents' regular Bible reading and belief in the Good Book's accuracy.

Charlotte was No. 7 on the national Top 10 list, and well ahead of Asheville/Greenville/Spartanburg (No. 11), Winston-Salem (No. 19) and Raleigh-Durham (No. 22).

Big cities like Charlotte rarely make these kinds of lists. In fact, the folks at the American Bible Society say, only three of the Top 25 Bible-minded markets have populations of more than a million souls -- Charlotte; Nashville, Tenn; and Raleigh-Durham.

So what is THE most Bible-minded city? Knoxville, Tenn.

And the LEAST-Bible minded market, according to the survey conducted by the Barna Group: Providence, R.I./New Bedford, Mass.

Check out the complete rankings. 

-- Tim Funk