Pope Benedict XVI - sound off Catholics, what's everybody think

eldestofvic · 04-19-2005, 12:40 PM

Not that I'm not interested in what the Protestants (*sheepish grin* Reformed) members think.

However, this is primarily a queery round the table of the Catholic participants.. You know the issues. Cardinal Ratzinger hasn't exactly been a wall-flower through the past few decades. So what does everybody think...

I personally am ecstatic. Yes he's older (that is if you consider 77 old - my 97 year old aunt considers him a "babe in the woods"). However, he has been very effective so far correcting Liturgical abuses. He is very popular. I think he's going to be a great Pope (if not a "G"reat pope).

Thank you JP2. Welcome Benedict XVI!

SccHarpGirl · 04-19-2005, 12:47 PM

I'm excited! Around here, I think I'm one of the few that is. I myself am a very conservative Catholic and my biggest fear regarding this election was that the new pope would be liberal and depart from sacred tradition. But God is good and sends us someone who I believe will be a great asset in our modern times, someone who will uphold the traditional values of scripture.

As soon as I heard about the Cardinal Ratzinger fan club that had t-shirts saying

Cardinal Ratzinger fan club: Putting the smackdown on Heresy since 1981

I decided I really liked the guy.

And no, he probably won't be as good a communicator as the late Pope John Paul II, but I liked the sermon he gave at the funeral, and his words today were well delivered. WYD will have special meaning this year, because it will be in his home nation. I So wish I could make it there.

Viva il Papa!

goldenchild · 04-19-2005, 01:09 PM

After all the speculation from the media that the Church would want to make a transition into a more liberal leaning, I'm relieved to see that won't be the case. He is a great man for the job, my second choice.

SccHarpGirl · 04-19-2005, 01:25 PM

At 78 i don't think he's going to be the traveller or the groundbreaker that Pope John Paul II was...but while JP was a Great activist, sometimes an intellectual is needed to balance it out. Have someone like Pope Benedict XVI while the church absorbs the legacy of Pope John Paul II before having another "mover and shaker" type pope.

lizwrenne · 04-19-2005, 03:27 PM

i'm really excited. i wasn't in class when the pope came out to the crowds...so i was one of the fortunate few in my school to see it as it was happening. but i must say that this is awesome! maybe it's lame to say this, but i wanted him to be elected, i truly hoped that...so that's cool for me. i'm on a high right now...i've been going up to tons of people, just sharing my joy with the election of the pope. some might think i'm insane (and i guess it's with good cause...i mean, a catholic in a catholic school!?!? what's up with that?!?!), but that's ok. this is an amazing time...the legacy of jpii is going to be carried on for even longer.

god bless you pope benedict xvi!!

IesusDeus · 04-19-2005, 04:45 PM

I know little about the man so I cannot comment on him.

I am happy that the transition period is over, and that we have a pope.

With millions of christians, I prayed for the Holy Spirit to guide the cardinals, so I have faith that he is the best choice for the Church.

He has proclaimed, "I am consoled by the fact that I entrust myself to your prayers". We need to keep him in our prayers.

maadio · 04-19-2005, 05:01 PM

I know I'm one of the reformed guys and all, but I still would like to put in my two cents about the new pontiff if I may:

Basically, good job guys! I was a bit worried that the RCC would pick a theologically nutjobbish person, but this guy is totally awesome in my book. I'm not exactly the biggest fan of the papacy in general, but seriously - if you're going to have a pope at all, it might as well be somebody just like this guy. Benedict XVI, I take my hat off to you.

I'm really really really happy for the RCC right now. It's clear that God guided the process of electing this pope (especially since it happened so quickly... man.) and that He has wonderful things in store.

That's about all I was going to say. Here's for the spirit of unity among believers!

<- This smiley is so much more awesome after today, IMHO.

**Athanasius** · 04-19-2005, 05:24 PM

I just want to "ditto" maadio...I love Ratzinger's Christocentricism and his desire for unity amongst Christians who are seeking Christ and truth.

**+Donny** · 04-19-2005, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Athanasius

I just want to "ditto" maadio...I love Ratzinger's Christocentricism and his desire for unity amongst Christians who are seeking Christ and truth.

Oh goodie, I too offer up my upmost happy screeches of joy in honor of Mr. 16thBenedict.

ICTHUS · 04-19-2005, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Athanasius

I just want to "ditto" maadio...I love Ratzinger's Christocentricism and his desire for unity amongst Christians who are seeking Christ and truth.

I thought Ratzinger hated Protestants with a passion?

**Athanasius** · 04-20-2005, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ICTHUS

I thought Ratzinger hated Protestants with a passion?

Letter from Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger to the "A Place to Stand" Gathering
Source: AAC News
October 9, 2003

>From Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger
The Vatican, on behalf of Pope John Paul II

I hasten to assure you of my heartfelt prayers for all those taking
part in this convocation. The significance of your meeting is sensed
far beyond Plano, and even in this City from which Saint Augustine of
Canterbury was sent to confirm and strengthen the preaching of
Christ's Gospel in England. Nor can I fail to recall that barely 120
years later, Saint Boniface brought that same Christian faith from
England to my own forebears in Germany.

The lives of these saints show us how in the Church of Christ there is
a unity in truth and a communion of grace which transcend the borders
of any nation. With this in mind, I pray in particular that God's
will may be done by all those who seek that unity in the truth, the
gift of Christ himself.

With fraternal regards, I remain

Sincerely yours in Christ,

+Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger

URL: http://www.AmericanAnglican.org/News...fm?ID=789&c=21

matt j t · 04-20-2005, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldenchild

He is a great man for the job, my second choice.

What was your first choice?

goldenchild · 04-20-2005, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt j t

What was your first choice?

Cardinal Francis Arinze. But God had other plans, so it's all good.

matt j t · 04-20-2005, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldenchild

Cardinal Francis Arinze.

Me Too!!!

Me, my brother, and two of my friends served two of his masses. I also got to shake his hand. (however, those aren't the reason why I wanted him to be the next pope.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldenchild

But God had other plans, so it's all good.

I agree!!!

ICTHUS · 04-21-2005, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Athanasius

Letter from Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger to the "A Place to Stand" Gathering
Source: AAC News
October 9, 2003

>From Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger
The Vatican, on behalf of Pope John Paul II

I hasten to assure you of my heartfelt prayers for all those taking
part in this convocation. The significance of your meeting is sensed
far beyond Plano, and even in this City from which Saint Augustine of
Canterbury was sent to confirm and strengthen the preaching of
Christ's Gospel in England. Nor can I fail to recall that barely 120
years later, Saint Boniface brought that same Christian faith from
England to my own forebears in Germany.

The lives of these saints show us how in the Church of Christ there is
a unity in truth and a communion of grace which transcend the borders
of any nation. With this in mind, I pray in particular that God's
will may be done by all those who seek that unity in the truth, the
gift of Christ himself.

With fraternal regards, I remain

Sincerely yours in Christ,

+Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger

URL: http://www.AmericanAnglican.org/News...fm?ID=789&c=21

Was that a letter to the Abp. of Canterbury or something?

Also, I'd like to see him deliver the same letter to the moderator of the PCA.