Reiki - Seeing you ask for facts to back up an assertion gave me a huge laugh this morning. Thanks man!
Well I don't know about Benedict being the end, but when more than 60% of Catholics want to allow women to become priests (CNN and FOX both had that) he does seem to be a pick out of step witht he congregation (not that religion is supposed to be democratic mind you).
People aren't forced to be Catholic. If they want to live in a way that isn't allowed by Catholicism, they can be something else. I can't understand why people insist that private organizations of any kind have to be forced to change against their will.
No offense intended, but the ideals you espouse have nothing to do with what it means to be a human on this planet to day. People have lived just fine without them for tens of thousands of years. They are demonstrative of the feelings of part of the world's population, sure, but just because you deem them to be more evolved doesn't mean the process of evolution will deem them to be.
Given that far more people adhere to Catholicism than adhere to many religions that have already adopted the changes you speak of, I tend to think the human race has yet to make up its mind.
And you would be wrong. The Church does not have to move with the times, and indeed that is the definition of the church. While people use situational ethics in their daily lives by necessity (I am told), the Church does not. The church does not change based upon the politics or whims of the day. IN that, it can appear to be anachronistic, but in truth it is a stabalizing force for all those who believe.
I find it very disturbing that before the Pope has said one thing, so many people are piling on and foretelling doom and gloom. I also find the harping on this man to be petty and vindictive. He has harmed no one, and yet we are to already toss him out with the trash.
Sad, Very sad.
The Catholic Church, more so than most men of today, fully realizes that. Indeed, the Catholic church is well aware of the hedonistic attitudes that man has adopted, and it will not change to suit your conscious. Man, while living longer, and healthier and (for the most part) safer than they did in the middle ages, is still the same man, and the Church realizes that.
Contrary to what you say, if the church were to become situational, it would lose its moral and ethical standing and become nothing more than a cult.
You may not like the teachings or direction of the church, but do not confuse your desire for validation of your situational ethics with the need for the church to adopt the same attitude.