Letters to Pope Benedict

College Students Speak Out

Being a modern day Catholic woman, the ancient teaching that bothers me the most is the tradition that states no woman is to be ordained a priest. Erika Bussard, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio Our Church needs to listen to the parishioners and not ignore the words they speak. Chris Ruark, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio Pope Benedict and his advisors are not listening despite the fact the church is in crisis, says Hans Kng and a host of European theologians. Author Dr. R. John Kinkel believed that if he shared students opinions about the state of the Catholic Church in a series of letters addressed to Pope Benedict, the pontiff just might listen. Convinced that this strategy might work where others have failed, he collected letters from college students over the last four years (20072010). Simply put, he asked students to tell the pope what they think. Kinkel believes time is running out; the Catholic Church is losing a whole generation of believers because they are frustrated. The Vatican, according to most students, needs reform; from the belief that woman should be ordained to the perception of antiquated teachings not based in todays reality, Letters to Pope Benedict gives these students thoughts and vital opinions voice. Within this volume lies the key to preserving the church and bringing the vibrancy of a younger generation into the fold.