Catholics reflect on Benedict's legacy

Following Pope Benedict XVI's resignation on Feb. 11, research suggests that although Benedict's papacy was viewed favorably by many, some Catholics in America are hoping his replacement changes the way the papacy is conducted.

According to a report released by the Pew Research Center early today, 46 percent of American Catholics believe the next pope should "move the church in new directions," and 63 percent said they were unsatisfied with the way Benedict handled the church's sexual abuse scandal.

AP Photo: Cardinal Angelo Scola, Archbishop of Milan, guides the pope in Milan, Italy last week

The issue of sex abuse in the church, particularly among high ranking Catholic officials, has resulted in an estimated $2 billion in settlements, according to the New York Times. 

Paula M. Kane, the John and Lucine O'Brien Marous Chair of Contemporary Catholic Studies at the University of Pittsburgh, said she wants Benedict's replacement to handle the issue more effectively.

"The pope has to deal with the sexual abuse issue and scandals," Kane said. "He needs to consider ways in which Vatican dogma has not kept up with the times."

The Pew report also revealed that for those who attend Mass at least once a week, 63 percent believe the next pope should enforce similar traditional policies to those of Benedict. 

Don Briel, director of the Center for Catholic Studies at the University of Saint Thomas, said Benedict's style cannot be definitively classified.

"He is not easily caricatured as conservative or liberal," Briel said. "He is self-evidently a man of deep prayer and humility, one who has brought to the most visible platforms of modern secular culture a careful set of distinctions...that should cause us in the West to rethink our reductionist accounts of private faith."

During his papacy, Benedict was praised by members of the Catholic community for his theological work. Nick Cafardi, dean emeritus and professor of law in Duquesne's School of Law, said Benedict was "a phenomenal theologian." 

"His books on the life of Christ are wonderful examples of theology with a really common touch to them," Cafardi said.

After Benedict's resignation officially takes effect on Feb. 28 at 8 P.M, the 117 Cardinals currently under the age of 80 will elect the new pope.