"A new king, who knew nothing of Joseph": these words herald a long history of suffering for Israel. Knowing nothing of tradition can be the cause of great difficulties, in communities, in society, and most especially in the Church, where tradition is treated as sacred and is one of the founts of our knowledge of our faith. Pope Benedict seems to have got himself into a lot of trouble over the last year. Media, of course, attributes these problems to ignorance, insensitivity, conservatism - to anything, of course, except their own ignorance. Knowing little of the Church's tradition and its theology, and not taking the trouble to understand, many media people have concocted controversy where none actually exists.

The media's superficial use of mere data without any real understanding is a cause of much trouble and suffering in the Church.

Similar trouble and suffering arises from the attitudes of "Cafeteria Catholics", those who claim to be Catholic but only select the doctrines that they like. Usually, of course, the selected doctrines are those which require little sacrifice. The Church expects Catholics to follow their conscience, but conscience should be informed and not merely selective.