Vatican needs different PR

Pope Benedict has come under criticism (including this blog) for being out of touch with the real world in his views on homosexuality, on women, and on birth control.   He sees himself defending the faith, not adjusting to the world, of course. And perhaps that's his proper role.

I happen to disagree with that aspect of his views -- although I am quick to admire and praise the social justice work done by many Catholics, especially the American nuns.  Of course, the Vatican is trying to suppress them and take control of their organization because they spend more time helping the poor than they do demonstrating against abortions and gay marriage.

Apparently, the Vatican managers do think that they need a more modern image to counter some of this criticism.   In my opinion, however, they're going about it the wrong way, and it's beginning to make the pope look a bit foolish -- and it only emphasizes the divide.

Last Christmas, they staged a photo opportunity to show him sending out an email message (get it?   the pope does email).   The video clip showed them leading him in to a table holding a lap top, which obviously had a pre-written message.    He sat down at the table, and with assistance touched his finger to the "send" button -- and Viola !! -- the pope does email.

Now we hear that he has opened a twitter account and plans to tweet.   Oh, come on, folks in the Vatican.  Is this really going to change anything if the policies don't change?

The AJC carried a cartoon yesterday, reprinted from another paper.  It's a drawing of a little man all gussied up in pope regalia and funny hat.  And it poses a Q&A.

Q:  "Why did the man with archaic views on women, gays, birth control, sex, marriage, health care and child molestation open a twitter account?

A:  "He wants to keep up with the times."

To borrow a line from a recent US vice presidential candidate:  "It's like putting lipstick on a pig."  No, I'm not calling the pope a pig.   It's the incongruity and the futility of trying to obscure something by creating a faked image.

Ralph