I would state internal challenges are the big thing to address.
Look at how Pope Benedict was attacked and undermined from within.
1) When he first became Pope, he stated “pray for me, that I do not flee from the wolves”. He clearly knew from the start that he would face a lot of opposition from within. This is unacceptable, Popes should be able to count on firm support - not backstabbing and whisper campaigns.
2) Many (most?) Bishops ignored his wishes spelt out in Summorum Pontificum, regarding the traditional mass. Where I live, Bishops say there is no need for Traditional masses because there is no demand. But they never ask if anyone wants them, and if anyone says “I would like that” of their own accord, they are simply ignored.
Here a priest decided to learn how to say the Tridentine mass, because his father had died and had specifically requested a traditional burial - naturally, the son wanted to honour his fathers last request. However, the (now retired) Archbishop of the time made life difficult for him, because he didn’t want traditional masses in his diocese.
I live in a metropolitan area of perhaps 750,000 people, perhaps 1/3 of whom are Catholic. Yet, there are only three Churches which offer any form of traditional worship, and one of those is the SSPX.
Clearly, Summorum Pontificum has been ignored in my area. I think it is because we are now at a stage where all or most clergy have had the novus ordo all their lives. They do not want to accommodate the traditional mass, because it would be extra workload for them, it would be " a hassle".
In some ways this is understandable, (particularly, say, for an elderly priest trying to run a busy parish on his own, for example), but ultimately we must all put our shoulders to the wheel for the good of the Church, if we are to perpetuate and pass on our faith.
**3) **Look at how improper behaviour from Bishops has caused much scandal, wrt abuse and failure to deal with it properly. This has brought shame on the Church and damaged her authority.
4) Look at how the Popes own butler stole his private papers and leaked them to journalists.
5) Look at the lapsation rate of Catholics, especially in the west, which is (in my opinion) mainly down to poor (or no) catechesis. The excuse for catechesis I received was a joke. The only thing I remember from religious education in high school was an exercise of writing a mock letter to an imaginary gay friend, to tell them it was OK to be gay.
There was no intellectual presentation or explanation of Catholic morality whatsoever. Then, the teachers seemed surprised when I showed no interest in my nominal faith (at the time) and asked not to participate in certain activities (such as a trip to Rome when Archbishop Thomas Winning was made a Cardinal). I couldn’t have been less interested, at the time - and no wonder.
Many ordinary Catholics are frankly ill-equipped to defend the faith against secular attacks. They do not properly understand Church teaching - because it has not been explained to them - and so have no answer when (eg) secular people say our attitude toward homosexuals is hateful or intolerant.
We **[edited by moderator]**clearly say “This is what Catholicism teaches and why - take it or leave it”.
For me, there are a great many internal challenges which must be resolved. You could sum them up by saying they are to do with responsible/proper conduct, faithful teaching and with obedience.
I do not really see that there are external challenges - other than the Churchs ongoing mission to spread the gospel and help the poor and the needy. But that is a given, as it has been throughout all of our history so far.
I do not regard the growing gap between secular western attitudes and Christian attitudes as a particular challenge, over and above “spreading the gospel”.
When it comes to Christian approaches to abortion, or homosexuality or whatever - “haters gon’ hate”. The only challenge for us here is to have the courage to be faithful, not to give in, or seek to appease our critics.
