i think this is why the pope and cardinal ratzinger have published the catechism back in 94. he held a synod of bishops or something to that effect in the 80s to address this problem of the faith not getting transmitted and twisted by “hijackers”.
i’ve heard from people who work with the pope say that he doesn’t resort to excommunication unless absolutely necessary and wants the truth to speak for itself. he has a very passive way of handling dissent and he wants the person to come around on their own terms. cardinal ratzinger even said he was an “optimist” whereas he said he wasn’t so optimistic about the state of the church. basically, the pope’s is saying “you are important, you’re created in the image of God, so act like it”. i guess in the pre-Consicillar church was more about telling people not to do something because it was wrong and a sin. the pope’s way is much more positive. he’s telling us that we do have freedom and that it is expressed perfectly when we freely choose God’s will not out of fear or coercion, but because we want to.
i think this is what JPII’s pontificate is trying to convey, the dignity of everyone as made in the image of God. the reason the church has been so susceptible to satan’s attack at least points to a weakness in faith that was inherent in the church well before the council.
here is a good article about the positives and negatives of JPII’s legacy
catholic.com/thisrock/2003/0310fea2.asp
the pope i think has been too lax and i think he hasn’t done enough to fix the liturgy. he’s more of a theologan then a manager. either way, i have the deepest respect and love for him.