We are too American-centric when we talk about Catholics, the Pope etc. Our issues here are not the same issues elsewhere and the solutions are much different. For those who are interested in problems facing the Church here is a brief over view of what I think the church needs to address by reason. Let us hope that despite the conservative makeup of the college of cardianls, they will elect a Pope who will see that moderinity can not be stopped in American and there must be slight changes in the USA.
North America:
Obviously American catholics' issues are plenty.
Very few orthodox Catholics would want abortion to be morally allowable, but birth control, condom use and women's role in the church are big issues that many would like to see moved a bit. There is also a severe priest shortage in the USA that is perhaps its greatest challenge. I think this is the perfect time to examine how lay people can get more involved in the eucharistic service.
The American church's beauracracy is also a problem. The sexual abuse scandal shows how the layers of the church ignored its paroshiners complaints, fears and didn't respond to their flock. Has the church gone too corporate? And as a practicing catholic, i don't like that money i give goes to sex abuse victims. My church didn't abuse, my priest didn't abuse. Why do I have to play if I am not complicit? It isn't the church's money, why are they paying? Let Cardinal Law pay out of his pocket. Not mine. This is taking away money out of parishes and ministry. This is the biggest scandal in the church.
Latin America: Social justice and poverty is the problem in this part of the world. So many of the poor are Catholics that the church must address their living conditions and at times their persecution, such as in Cuba. We see the effects of our conumption in these parts of the world. Many of these people live in misery, is it the role of the church to help improve their social situation and fight for justice?
Africa: AIDS. Many african cultures have men taking multiple wives, or if they are chrisitian they end up having mistresses and girlfreinds. It is a culture clash between african cutlture and monogamous european culture which the church precahes. But if these people are having multiple sex partners and transmitting STD'S then how can the church not encourage condom use? This si the issue the African contingent is sure to address.
Europe: Declining attendance. Never been to Europe, but for people I know who have spent time there, no one goes to church anymore. In this part of the world religion is more a custom, a tradition, than a faith. If no one is practicing, then why even have a church.
Asia: Catholic's jsut emerging. How do you fit the church into the culture.