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19 July 2025

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Sarah Posner (sarahposner.com, God's Profits, Unholy) and Anthea Butler (University of PennsylvaniaReligion Dispatches)

On The Posner Show, Sarah speaks with Anthea about the shocking resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. Anthea argues that the greatest mark on Benedict’s legacy will be his reactive, rather than proactive, response to the sex abuse scandal; she argues that the next pope will have to deal decisively with sexual abuse within the Church. Anthea and Sarah discuss the reasons why Catholics are leaving the church, and Benedict’s desire for a smaller, purer church. Will the next Pope come from outside of Europe, perhaps from Latin America, Asia, Africa—or even Canada? Finally, Anthea says the next pope needs to be of the 21st century, rather than the 17th.

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Recorded:Feb 12    Posted:Feb 12, 2013
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The Posner Show | Feb 12, 2013 | Sarah Posner & Anthea Butler

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