The white smoke from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney that signals a new pope’s election has dissipated, and the Vatican’s ceremonial bell has tolled and fallen silent, but Catholics around the world are still reacting to Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger’s elevation to the papal seat.
Ratzinger, who will officially be installed Sunday as Pope Benedict XVI, is the church’s 265th pontiff and the first German to hold the position in nearly a millennium.
A close affiliate of the late Pope John Paul II, Ratzinger has been both hailed and criticized for being a staunch conservative who has expressed his desire to maintain the church’s
fundamental tenets.
Thousands cheered in St. Peter’s Square on Tuesday as Ratzinger greeted them in his new papal vestments, saying he was a “simple, humble worker in the Lord’s vineyard.” On the local scene, many Catholics are also celebrating the new pope.
John Vlazny, archbishop of the Portland archdiocese, which encompasses Eugene churches, said he welcomed Ratzinger’s
election.
“His close association with Pope John Paul II and his reputation for personal holiness fills us with delight,” Vlazny, who has previously met with the new pope on four official visits, said in a press release. “In my meetings with him I have found that he listens well, he is cordial and he is collaborative.”
Father Ted Prentice of Eugene’s St. Mary Catholic Church said there has been much
excitement among parishioners surrounding the election.
“I think people have been kind of relieved that it happened so quickly,” Prentice said. Ratzinger was elected after only four rounds of voting by a conclave of 115 cardinals.
M.J. Gordon, the secretary of the St. Thomas More Newman Center, the University’s campus ministry, said she was pleased with the pope’s selection and was not really surprised because Ratzinger “seemed like he had a lot of support going into the election.”
“I think he is a man of extreme intellect and clarity,” she said. “He will speak to the needs of the world today.”
| Pope Benedict XVI Baptismal name: Joseph Ratzinger Age: 78 (oldest pope chosen since Clement XII in 1730) Place of birth: Marktl am Inn, Germany Previous position: Cardinal, head of the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith First words as pope: “Dear brothers and sisters, after the great Pope John Paul II, the cardinals have elected me, a simple, humble worker in the Lord’s vineyard. I am comforted by the fact that the Lord knows how to work and act even with insufficient instruments. And above all, I entrust myself to your prayers. With the joy of the risen Lord and confidence in his constant help, we will go forward. The Lord will help us, and Mary, his most holy mother, will be alongside us.” Source: The New York Times |
Father David Orique, also of the
Newman Center, said he had hoped for a Latin American pope.
“I just think it would have been exciting to have a pope from the … developing world,” Orique said.
Barbara Miller, St. Paul Catholic Church’s coordinator of ministry to seniors, said Ratzinger is a learned man who is likely to follow in the path of Pope John Paul II.
“He was chosen by the Holy Spirit; he’s well trained and ready to go,” Miller said.
Archdiocese of Portland spokesman Bud Bunce echoed these sentiments.
“There’s also been a lot of excitement of where it might lead the church,” he said. “Most of us believe he’ll continue to lead us in the same direction as John Paul II.”
Prentice said there might be some similarities between the new pope and the old one considering their close relationship and styles, but differences in areas of focus are likely to emerge as Pope Benedict
assumes leadership.
“I think there’ll be a lot of continuity,” he said. “Individual emphasis will shift in some way.”
The new pontiff served for many years as the head of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Questions have arisen about his past stance on issues such as his steadfast opposition to abortion, homosexuality and women as priests.
University graduate Kayla Emmons, a Catholic who is for abortion rights, said if Ratzinger is known as a hard-liner, he might not be the right choice.
“I don’t think (the church) should be in the business of telling people whether they should have an abortion or be gay,” said Emmons, who is also a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Alliance volunteer. Emmons said the church is “a place to worship Christ” and should consider being more open to such issues as allowing women into
the priesthood.
But Ratzinger was simply doing his job, Bunce said.
“What he’s been doing is defending the teachings of the Catholic Church,” Bunce said, adding that there are certain teachings that do not change.
Orique said he doesn’t expect
the new pope to make any
drastic changes.
“I think he needs to be given a little time to prove himself,” Orique said. “I think he might surprise us.”
Some say that as the new leader of the Catholic church, Pope Benedict has the potential to create dialogue on divisive issues.
“I think he is conservative, but I think we need to look carefully at that — what are the best needs of the church?” said Gordon, adding that Ratzinger will give people
direction. “People want to know clearly what is right and what
is wrong.”
His former role as chief interpreter and enforcer of doctrine may have contributed to his image as a conservative, Prentice said, and this image may change as he takes on his new duties.
“I think that part of it is the nature of the office that he held before,” Prentice said. As pontiff, Pope Benedict will have a more “pastoral role,” Prentice added.
Miller said the new pope will “stand by his faith’s convictions.”
“That’s how he will reach out to the children, to the youth,” she said. “He will be a good, strong leader.”
“I think it’s good to give this pope just a little bit of time to establish his own style,” Bunce said. “I think we have to realize that he is not John Paul II.”
