Catholicism Shifts Towards the Third World
While Pope John Paul II marks the 25th anniversary [of his papal election], this occasion is embroiled in controversy on the same level as the celebrations around the world. The question, What will become of the Catholic world, is asked as pretty much as the question, Who will be the next pope? The main point is that Catholicism, the biggest religious community in the world, has 1 billion believers, according to the World Christian Encyclopedia. The fortress of Catholicism, which is expected to have 1.6 billion members in the next 22 years, is no longer Europe. Catholicism is on the rise in Third World countries, in Africa, Latin America and Asia but declining in Europe. And it has gone through serious upheavals in North America. The population of the Catholic Church is expected to increase in these three continents from 68 percent to 75 percent in 2025. The reason behind the decline of Catholicism in Europe and America is due to the popes failure and not being able to meet the needs in these lands where modernization and freedom are on the rise. However, the pope is successful in the poor peoples world. The Philippines where the old matriarchal structure was forcibly changed by the Spanish colonialists, is the new fortress of Catholicism. In the Philippines, with a population of 80 million, the mobile phone network of the influential Catholic Church has a text message network among believers. In religious activities, charismatic singers give a young and modern image to the church. The biggest rivals of Catholicism in Philippines are Muslims. In the last three years 110,000 people have converted from Catholicism to Islam. Catholicism in Latin America on the other hand is very strong as well. Here Catholicism has been integrated with culture by mixing the religion with local beliefs. In these lands, where theology of salvation developed, Catholicism, mixed with Marxism in the 1970s has pagan traditions, rituals and goddesses. The church, not too long ago, announced the beatification of Juan Diego, even though there is skepticism about his existence. Catholicism has exploded in America among refugees. Hispanic and Vietnamese populations are growing fast. Seemingly appropriate to make a leap to the upper classes, Catholicism teaches priests Spanish as a second language. However, white Catholics are not pleased with these developments. Everyone has begun to have his/her own church and Catholic churches are being divided into small communities. Rituals in Vietnamese and Hispanic churches are very different. Sociologists show the failure of being religious in Western Europe as becoming rich and promoting individualism and materialism. Many people think that the Catholic Church failed to keep up with the era and remained traditionalist. The necessity of keeping up with time and the modernization of Islam were voiced by Turkey at the recent Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) summit. Syrian poet Adonis was quoted by Hurriyet daily as saying, In our age, Islam is a religion that is uncultured, thoughtless and lacks the ability of asking questions.* Saudi missioners, bigotry, the old-fashioned perception of women and reactionaries who explain Islam through this content are being identified with the religion. But the opportunities of the Turk-Islam understanding are very much in todays world. What societies expect from religion is being more and more adapted to modern life and modernization. The Turk-Islam understanding includes a modern interpretation. Its best example is Mevlana, a best-seller in the United States. I believe that Islam, as the religion that is extra-sensitive to the poor peoples rights, and states, While your neighbor sleeps hungry, dont you sleep full, should be included in this contest. In todays world where peoples inner worlds are emptied in a soul-searching effort, Islams modern and illuminated implementations are needed. Modern methods and viewpoints are important in interpreting Islam. Islam should get rid of reactionary ideas and anachronistic views that imprison women, because it is such an illuminated religion that cannot be prisoner to those who make these remarks. It would be better to start the prejudice-free campaign right away. Islams modern interpretation is necessary for modern Muslims. 1. Compilation, The Wall Street Journal, Oct. 17. 2. Hurriyet (Ozdemir Ince), Oct. 19. October 21, 2003

