Appleby Misses the Point

In yesterday's "Outlook" section of the Washington Post, Notre Dame's Scott Appleby wrote about why the cardinals should consider electing an American pope. The points he makes are, well, so American and so very distant from what it seems to me was the whole point of Benedict's teaching, indeed the whole point of the Council. Appleby focuses on human traits and skills, American "know-how" if you will, but the whole point of the Council was to invite the entire Church to focus on Christ, on the animating beliefs of our faith, to reclaim some of the wonder and richness of faith in an increasingly utilitarian world. Yes, grace builds on nature, and yes, nature reveals grace. But, any true renewal of the Church will not be brought about by better management, but by better prayer.