Vienna-based dogma professor Jan-Heiner Tueck has said he sees three possible scenarios for the Catholic Universal Church following the death of Benedict XVI, while admitting that the challenges involved in Pope Francis’ reform project will require all his strength to bring it to a conclusion.
The first scenario was in relation to an enhanced pace of reform now that Pope Francis no longer has to take his predecessor into account, Tueck wrote in the weekly newspaper Die Furche.
The second was a focus on projects that were already underway, such as the World Synod. The third scenario was an early resignation “after a certain grace period”, Tueck said, adding that the second option was the most likely.
In principle, an acceleration in the pace of Church reform would be conceivable, he added. After Benedict XVI had frequently and forcefully spoken out against a “reform agenda” that envisaged changes such as a relaxation of rules on mandatory celibacy, the role of women or sexual morality, Francis could now approach this “more freely and more briskly”.
However, the dogma expert described the “more realistic scenario” as one in which Francis, in view of his dwindling strength, would focus on completing the projects he had begun. The challenges involved were already enormous, he said. “Francis will have to muster all his strength to bring this project to a conclusion”.
Originally reported by KNA Germany.
