The well-respected theologian and expert at Vatican II Karl Rahner, SJ, proposed
in 1965 that the Christian of the future would have to be a mystic or he will
not exist. And his reference to mysticism meant “a genuine experience of God
emerging from the very heart of our existence.”
He predicted that Christians would live in a
diaspora situation, that is, as a “relatively small minority,” and nowhere
would there be a Christian nation which would lead people to embrace the
Christian faith. A Christian of the
future will be Christian because he has a personal experience of Jesus and
makes the deliberate choice to follow him as Lord. Culture or society will not
be sufficient to lead one to Christ.
“The Christians,” he said, “will be the little flock
of the Gospel, perhaps esteemed, perhaps persecuted…The Church is the sacrament
of the salvation of the world even where the latter is still nor and perhaps
never will be the Church.”
Rahner did not spell out what I have written below,
These possibilities are purely of my own imagining --hunches, if you will, about
what the Church of the future may be like. I am not a sociologist, I have no
crystal ball, I claim no gift of prognostication. And yet trying to read :the
signs of the times,” I suggest that
By
2020
Pope Francis II will try to emulate Pope Francis I and carry on his work.
Smaller parishes will be administered by
lay leaders.
The Roman Curia will be in need of
reform.
Dorothy Day will be added to the Church’s
Hall of Fame (canonized a saint).
The Roman Missal of 2011 will be under
revision.
By
2025
women will be serving as deacons in many parishes, especially in the missions.
Religious orders of Sisters will experience
renewal and growth.
The number of Catholic parochial schools
will have declined significantly.
Most bishops will no longer wear miters.
The Roman Curia will be in need of reform.
Catholicism will identify more with
social justice issues than previously..
By
2050 a majority of the Catholic priests in the United States will be of African origin.
The Third Vatican Council will be
convoked to reaffirm the direction and reforms of Vatican II.
Priestly celibacy will become optional.
The Roman Curia will be in need of reform.
Even though it is said that the future is the hardest
thing to predict, what do you imagine the Church of the future will be like?
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