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Choice of new pope, speed of process pleases area Catholics
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By DANETTA BARKER Staff Writer
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Bells rang all over the world, even in Maysville Tuesday afternoon as news of a newly elected pope spread.
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was chosen by the College of Cardinals to replace the beloved Pope John Paul II.
The 78-year-old Ratzinger became pope immediately upon accepting the offer from the cardinals. The choice was announced and Ratzinger, now known as Benedict XVI, stepped out onto a balcony to speak to the faithful who packed the square in front of St. Peter's Basilica.
As the bells tolled at St. Patrick Catholic Church, member Ruth Criter was pulling up beside the church with two friends. She wanted to show the church to Jane and Tom Kelley of Batavia, Ohio. Neither of the three had heard a new pope had been chosen.
Criter was surprised that the selection process was so short.
"That was fast," Criter said. "I am glad the election was so soon."
Her friends agreed about the speed and the choice.
"He is a good choice, if he is a friend of John Paul's," Jane Kelley said.
The Rev. William Hinds, who pastors at St. Patrick Catholic Church, said the news of Ratzinger's election is "great."
"I think he is brilliant and pastoral," Hinds said. "As far as I'm concerned, he is an excellent choice."
Hinds met Benedict XVI several years ago. They talked about the problems facing the Catholic Church in America.
"He seems quite aware of issues in America," Hinds said. "When I talked with him personally he was very aware of what we were talking about."
One of the main issues for American Catholics is the priest sexual abuse scandal and the lack of the bishops' supervision over priests acting inappropriately and even in some cases criminal behavior, Hinds said. Another issue is the teachings at some of the Catholic seminars, colleges and universities.
With five seminars in the Cincinnati Archdiocese and three colleges, this is an important concern for Hinds. He believes that Benedict XVI will continue the legacy left by Pope John Paul II
"The traditional approach of Pope John Paul II in doctrine and moral matters was reaffirmed by the cardinals with the election of Ratzinger," Hinds said.
Ratzinger was the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, President of the Pontifical Bible Commission and Dean of the College of Cardinals, Hinds said. The job of Prefect was the hardest for the cardinal from Germany, according to Hinds.
"Doctrine of the Faith is not a nice job," Hinds said. "He had the reputation of being a hard-liner."
Part of the job is to observe controversial situations, such as a book written by a member of the church. Hinds said the Prefect reads the book then passes discipline, should there be cause. It is more a policing job, Hinds said.
Benedict XVI was born in the town of Marktl Am Inn, however the family moved because of his father's job as a policeman. Traunstein is where Ratzinger called home in his memoirs. It is there he returned after deserting the German army in 1945.
Hinds said there was probably no significance to the choice of Benedict as a name other than it is a beautiful name.
"Benedict XV, served at the beginning of the World War I," Hinds said.
Pope Benedict XVI was chosen by 115 cardinals after two days of voting. When a two-thirds majority was reached white smoke billowed out of the special chimney of the Sistine Chapel, while bells tolled the news of a new pope.
A special Inaugural Mass has been set by the Vatican for Sunday at 10 a.m.
Contact Danetta Barker at Danetta.Barker@lee.net or call 606-564-9091 ext. 272.
The Associated Press also contributed to this story. |
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