1 points ·
Speaking as a former Catholic, I honestly believe being more conservative will make the church more relevant. I'm not saying that's a _good_ thing, to be clear, but we see what is happening to more liberal Christian denominations universally--they're rapidly declining. There are a number of reasons why that is, but liberal theology failing to retain members is a component there.
I think the most relevant issue the Church can bring to bear today is one that conservative and liberal Catholics alike tend to agree on. Even the most hard-line trad priests and laity I knew had a visceral hatred for laizez-faire capitalism (and often capitalism at large) and the commodification of the human experience. Pope Francis gave voice to it, and the next pope _must_ follow suit. If he doesn't, regardless of theology, the church is doomed.