Tuesday, April 19, 2005
The New Pope
has been elected. Pope Benedict XVI is cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany.
Well, it seems that the church had several victories today. First, and foremost, they elected a new Pope. And second, the cardinals did not cave under the secular pressure and elect a "progressive" Pope. Now, more than ever, the church needs to reinforce the basic moral principles upon which it, and the whole of western society were established: Freedom, Morality, and a universal respect for life and freedom; the love of God and Neighbor that holds us all together. This is the battle the church will face in this new century. John Paul stared down the evils of Communism, and this Pope will have to face this new Challenge, the Challenge of leading a church in a world that all too often considers itself so far "progressed" that it has no need for such things anymore. I, for one, wish him the best of luck.
Once the archbishop of Munich, Germany, and for many years prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, Ratzinger, 78, was one of the most powerful men in the Vatican and is widely acknowledged as a leading theologian.(emphasis mine)
As a young priest he was on the progressive side of theological debates but shifted to the right after the student revolutions of 1968.
In the Vatican, he has been the driving force behind crackdowns on liberation theology, religious pluralism, challenges to traditional moral teachings on issues such as homosexuality, and dissent on such issues as women's ordination .
Well, it seems that the church had several victories today. First, and foremost, they elected a new Pope. And second, the cardinals did not cave under the secular pressure and elect a "progressive" Pope. Now, more than ever, the church needs to reinforce the basic moral principles upon which it, and the whole of western society were established: Freedom, Morality, and a universal respect for life and freedom; the love of God and Neighbor that holds us all together. This is the battle the church will face in this new century. John Paul stared down the evils of Communism, and this Pope will have to face this new Challenge, the Challenge of leading a church in a world that all too often considers itself so far "progressed" that it has no need for such things anymore. I, for one, wish him the best of luck.
Comments:
Good blog. I couldn't agree more. What good is a relgion that constantly updates its rules and beliefs just to stay popular with the crowd?
I am waiting now for the media backlash, as it was obvious that the main stream was crossing its fingers for a more "progressive" pope. Perhaps, one who finally would come to terms with how far society has finally come.
Let the weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth begin. = )
I am waiting now for the media backlash, as it was obvious that the main stream was crossing its fingers for a more "progressive" pope. Perhaps, one who finally would come to terms with how far society has finally come.
Let the weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth begin. = )
Good blog. I couldn't agree more. What good is a relgion that constantly updates its rules and beliefs just to stay popular with the crowd?
I am waiting now for the media backlash, as it was obvious that the main stream was crossing its fingers for a more "progressive" pope. Perhaps, one who finally would come to terms with how far society has finally come.
Let the weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth begin. = )
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I am waiting now for the media backlash, as it was obvious that the main stream was crossing its fingers for a more "progressive" pope. Perhaps, one who finally would come to terms with how far society has finally come.
Let the weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth begin. = )
