The Pope is on the Run!!!!!

As I scan the news networks online (because who really watches TV news anymore), I have noticed a lot of coverage about the Pope's visit to the UK. As someone who likes to follow events coming out of the Vatican, I was very intrigued to notice the response that he got when arriving. 

Six men were arrested, people rioted, families and college students were out in force speaking against his coming to their country. My only question is: why?

Here is a man who has taken the sexual abuse scandal head-on. He hasn't ran from responsibility as the leader of the church. And while there has been evidence of a cover-up in come cases, the important thing is that he is addressing the problem. He isn't hiding from criticism, nor is he denying the existence of cases. He is meeting with families, dealing with clergy who committed the acts and making decisive choices that will help repair the church and it's image.

I understand that people are mad. I whole hearted agree that the Catholic church has a long way to go before the public can ever consider giving them the benefit of the doubt again. However, protests that turn into riots are not a response that will help anybody. No answers are going to be given and no satisfaction will be reached through decisions made out of that anger. Rather, the people that are so upset with the church should ask questions of the Pope, rather than trying to lynch him. I understand the frustration and I know that there is a limit to the patience people have with this church. However, this is a man that can be worked with, reasoned with and who is willing to take responsibility and change the way that things are done. 

Now is the time for action, but not by us. We should be watchdogs, hounding the church until it makes the needed change. We need to ask questions, not take no for an answer and require proof before trust is restored. This is the action we should take, not rioting. Because, though it may give us satisfaction now, history proves that angry mobs only set things back for years to come.