Cardinal Ratzinger of Germany Is New Pope

[Iron Sun 254]

News is breaking now...

He's now Pope Benedict XVI


http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&e=1&u=/ap/20050419/ap_on_re_eu/pope

[gtsecc]

I bet the first thing he does is open communion to us and the EO.

[Fish and Bread]

This is disappointing news. I will say that the one positive to take from this is that he chose the name Benedict over some other names he could have taken. If he had chosen Pius -- watch out! What Benedict symbolizes to me is that he may just try to maintain the status quo instead of pushing through a more conservative feudal version of Roman Catholicism. By the very virtue of who he is, though, I think we can forget about any reforms like more open communion policies or women priests. The best we can hope for is that the name symbolizes he'll act as a placeholder and maintain the status quo until the next conclave, when perhaps they'll be a chance of electing more of a reformer (Though since he'll be selecting the new Cardinals, it's doubtful).

John

[Father Rick]

At the risk of sounding really morbid... Benedict XVI (Ratzinger) is 78 yrs old. I wonder how his health is/how long he will serve as pope.

[Iron Sun 254]

From what I understand, they aren't looking for a long term Pope. He was John Paul II's theological advisor for 20 years so we won't see any big changes in his time as Pope

[pmcleanj]

I bet the first thing he does is open communion to us
Looks up and around for flying pigs. Doesn't see any.

As for the EO, Roman Catholics already acknowledge their Catholicity and the validity of their sacraments -- but the EO don't recognize the validity of the Roman Catholic sacraments. So EO are welcome at RC tables, but aren't permitted to accept the invitation; just as the RC are welcome at our tables, but aren't permitted to accept the invitation.

[Zacharias]

Maybe he'll allow the clergy to get married. :)

[julian the apostate]

I bet the first thing he does is open communion to us and the EO.

its great to see a sense of humor

[InnerPhyre]

I bet the first thing he does is open communion to us and the EO.

It's already open to the EO ;)

[PaladinValer]

Benedict XVI will not change anything that already is. He's known as a hard-liner (though not Opus Dei) and it seems that his pick is due that the Vatican Catholic Church is more interested in an interum pope instead of a pope for a long pontificate.

No married clergy
No women clergy
No recognition of Anglican Orders
etc etc etc

Still, I am pleased that, at least our Vatican Catholic brothers and sisters can once again feel a sense of completion with a new pope. I would have hoped for one of the 3rd World candidates myself, but perhaps Benedict XVI will prove to perform beyond what I think he will.

Viva il Vatican Ecclesia! (I hope I did that right)

[julian the apostate]

but perhaps Benedict XVI will prove to perform beyond what I think he will.


amen , remember john XXXIII, who was a bit of a surprise

[murron]

I have to admit that I am very hopeful Pope Benedict XVI will finish the work started by Pope John Paul II regarding our communion. I am very happy to see a traditionalist/conservative Pope selected to lead Rome. :thumbsup:

[Albion]

I have to admit that I am very hopeful Pope Benedict XVI will finish the work started by Pope John Paul II regarding our communion. I am very happy to see a traditionalist/conservative Pope selected to lead Rome. :thumbsup:
From what positions Boniface XVI has taken before, it would seem less likely--not more--that he would open new doors to Eastern churches and Anglicans.

[murron]

From what positions Boniface XVI has taken before, it would seem less likely--not more--that he would open new doors to Eastern churches and Anglicans.
I should have clarified myself, sorry. I'm not part of the Anglican Communion, but the TAC, who have been in talks with the Vatican for the last 8 years on this situation.
I do realize it is a long shot, but because Pope Benedict XVI has been so intimately involved thus far, I hold out hope that our talks will continue and ultimately reach concensus.

[IowaLutheran]

From what positions Boniface XVI has taken before, it would seem less likely--not more--that he would open new doors to Eastern churches and Anglicans.

I originally thought that, but then I stumbled across this article, where he was credited with saving the Lutheran/Catholic agreement on justification

http://www.natcath.com/NCR_Online/archives/091099/091099f.htm

He does take ecumenism seriously, in spite of his reputation.

[julian the apostate]

Rumors of a rift between Cassidy and Ratzinger ensued, especially because that same summer Ratzinger had set back the dialogue with the Anglicans by suggesting the church’s teaching on the invalidity of Anglican ordinations was infallible.



quite a guy, ecumenical to a fault

ultramontanism anyone?

[trooper]

we need a ratzinger ourselves. where is our guy who speaks without hesitation or qualification? I think that His Holiness speaks my language.

Viva Il Papa! (Maybe a made up translation)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[PaladinValer]

**Is happy with +++Rowan Williams**

[Bonifatius]

Dear all,

it was a great surprise to me that the cardinals voted for Joseph Ratzinger (now Benedict XVI). For many we are still the country of Luther and Hitler! (In British media they even discussed the fact that the new Pope was a member of the Hitlerjugend in his early years - the Nazi youth organisation).

Although he's been known as one of the conservative cardinals, I think we still can expect something new from his pontificate. He is a brilliant theologian (Pope JP II was not). And we have to keep in mind that his task during the last decades was to lead the Congregatio Fidei - one can assume that he will change some of his ideas being Pope now and responsible for all aspects of church life.

And last not least: He gave communion to Frere Roger of Taize at the last Pope's Requiem Mass who still is a reformed priest and no Roman Catholic. To me this was kind of a prophetic act!

All the best
Boni

[dragon79]

Bonifatius i trust you, but i admit when i read about his appointment i was a bit dismayed....all the reports i gor from the media about hoim were not good at all, but may be you are right, his public image might be different from his real personality.
Let'shope all the best.

[Bonifatius]

Just tried to get some of his books - the wholesalers ran out of copies already ... I hope the publishers will be able to reprint soon. Some of the titles really seem to be interesting...

[julian the apostate]

bonifatius, i believe you are right about b16 and frere roger
ill be interested as to what happened there

frere roger had to know beforehand that b16 wouldnt have forearmed him , and i heard that he was the first in line

i read that at taize they have seperate communion elements in their services for catholic, prot and ortho

perhaps b16 did something like that

[Albion]

Dear all,

it was a great surprise to me that the cardinals voted for Joseph Ratzinger (now Benedict XVI). For many we are still the country of Luther and Hitler! (In British media they even discussed the fact that the new Pope was a member of the Hitlerjugend in his early years - the Nazi youth organisation).

Although he's been known as one of the conservative cardinals, I think we still can expect something new from his pontificate. He is a brilliant theologian (Pope JP II was not). And we have to keep in mind that his task during the last decades was to lead the Congregatio Fidei - one can assume that he will change some of his ideas being Pope now and responsible for all aspects of church life.

And last not least: He gave communion to Frere Roger of Taize at the last Pope's Requiem Mass who still is a reformed priest and no Roman Catholic. To me this was kind of a prophetic act!

All the best
Boni

If I understand you correctly, I'd agree that B16 may indeed turn out to be a pope who will make dramatic moves in directions not necessarily what his past would suggest. Not merely an interim figure as some have said.