position. In so doing they use reason to support a claim that there are legitimate alternative interpretations of Church doctrine.

2008 is an election year. Members of both political parties will be watching to see if anything the pope says benefits them or their opponents.

5. How does a papal visit blend Catholicism and civil religion?

Papal visits are situated at the border of Catholicism and American civil religion. The first papal visit coincided with Catholics joining the American mainstream. According to Robert Bellah, most Americans share common religious characteristics that promote national cohesion. At every papal visit the president or other high officials have greeted the pope. Persons of every religious denomination line the parade routes. What other world figure is welcomed with such fanfare and media coverage? In a nation where Catholics once were the victims of prejudice, such official welcoming of the pope affirms the Catholic religion as an integral part of the American society. This does not mean there are no tensions, but there certainly has been progress.

Conclusion

With a new pope at the helm, and the changes that have occurred since the last visit, the papal visit of 2008 will be a unique experience. Church leaders hope that it will result in increasing knowledge of Catholicism and higher commitment expressed through identification with the Church’s stances on moral issues as well as participation in parish life. We will see its immediate effects as it unfolds. The long-term effects for Catholics and the country will only be manifest over time. CD

For a Q&A with Father Pogorelc, click HERE to read this Catholic Digest Papal Exclusive.

Father Anthony J. Pogorelc, S.S., M.Div., M.S., Ph.D., is a formation adviser and spiritual director at Theological College at the Catholic University of America. He is an associate fellow in the Life Cycle Institute at Catholic University and adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Sociology. As a sociologist of religion, he specializes in the study of social movements, organizations, and professional ministry.