"Church Neglecting Its Own Historical Narrative"
The Sistine Chapel's doors might be closed for the conclave, but everyone's buzzing about who'll be the next pope! Christophe Dickès, a leading French expert on Church history, has been fielding non-stop calls. Author of the "Dictionary of the Vatican and the Holy See" and host on KTO, Christophe's thrilled that people still care about the pope, even in a de-Christianized Europe. He thinks the pope stands for life's meaning, protecting the vulnerable, and fostering social bonds, regardless of whether you're a conservative, progressive, or non-Catholic Catholic!
The Church's Global Impact
It's easy to overlook the Church's impact on our world, but Christophe's book, "For the Church: What the World Owes It," aims to change that. From timekeeping and fraternity to reading and language standardization, Christianity has left its mark almost everywhere, even if we don't always realize it! Democratic countries, for instance, often have Christian roots, as historian René Rémond once suggested, and Gelasius, a bishop of Rome, set the stage for the connection between the temporal and spiritual realms centuries ago.
A Church with Blemishes
Christophe doesn't shy away from acknowledging the Church's dark periods. He sees Protestantism and anticlericalism as primary reasons for the Church's negative image today. The latter is also due to misinterpretations promulgated by the Enlightenment and Michelet's skewed portrayal of the Church's role during the Middle Ages, which, Christophe points out, has since been corrected by historians like Jacques Le Goff.
The misconception of the Church's attitude towards women is another issue. The Church adapted to societal norms, but Christianity still managed to institute a true revolution by placing women on equal footing with men, according to Christophe. Witnesses to the Resurrection, prominent figures like the Virgin Mary, and the emphasis on consent in marriage all support this claim.
A Forgotten Church?
Christophe believes the Church today seems to forget its history. A new "woke" current has emerged, but Christophe criticizes it for oversimplifying the Church's past and neglecting historical analysis in the name of dialogue with modernity. Christophe highlights that the Church should not abandon its history, or it risks becoming obsolete itself.
Although re-Christianization may not be imminent, Christophe remains optimistic. The Church has repeatedly been declared dead, yet it persists. From the resurgence of faith in contemporary France to debates about liturgical continuity and doctrinal coherence, these conversations are essential for preserving the Church's identity amid rapid change.
The thrilling relaunch of Christophe Dickès' book, "For the Church: What the World Owes It," emphasizes the French author's belief that the Church has left a plentiful impact on various aspects, including general-news, entertainment, and even sports. Christophe, a leading expert on Church history, asserts that the Church's influence is not confined to religious concepts, but extends to secular realms such as language standardization, timekeeping, and fraternity.
Despite acknowledging the Church's dark periods, Christophe underscores the importance of understanding its history and correcting misconceptions. He critiques the oversimplification of the Church's past by the recent "woke" current, emphasizing the need for historical analysis to preserve the Church's identity amidst change.
The misinterpretation of the Church's attitude towards women is another issue Christophe addresses. He highlights the revolutionary role Christianity played in placing women on equal footing with men, citing instances like the role of women as witnesses to the Resurrection, prominent figures such as the Virgin Mary, and the emphasis on consent in marriage.
In light of the general-deChristianization in Europe, Christophe's enthusiasm about the continued interest in the pope is a testament to the Church's enduring relevance. Re-Christianization may not be imminent, but Christophe remains optimistic, viewing the persistent discussions about faith, liturgy, and doctrine as essential for the Church's survival and adaptation in the modern world.
