"Do the letters 'F.O.' mean anything to ya?"
Regards,
Viking
Posted on 04/20/2005 3:05:34 PM PDT by quidnunc
Brussels, Belgium – While most of Europe's political and spiritual leaders welcomed the election of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as the next pope, most of the continent's newspapers Wednesday reacted with unconcealed dismay at the choice of the hard-line German theologian as the Vatican's new head.
Many op-ed pieces referred to Benedict XVI as a reactionary dogmatist who would do little to stem the slump in support for the Catholic Church in Europe and even less to help the plight of the poor in Africa and Latin America.
"His is a name that will clamp the cold hand of foreboding round the hearts of all who care about the developing world," said a leader in Britain's left-of-center Guardian newspaper, describing the Bavarian as a "theological pugilist who is willing to sacrifice popular appeal in the cause of doctrinal purity."
John Paul II's right-hand man already has a serious image problem in Europe after 24 years as head of the Doctrine of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith — a position he used to denounce contraception, gay marriage, women priests, homosexuality, abortion, Marxism, modernity, radical pastors and other religious faiths.
La Derniere Heure and several other Belgian papers referred to Benedict XVI as "The Iron Pope" on their front pages, while most European dailies recalled Ratzinger's reputation as the "Panzerkardinal," the "Great Inquisitor" and "God's Rottweiler." Under the headline "A transitional Pope" — the former Dean of the College of Cardinals is 78 — Belgian's leading daily Le Soir shrugged: "Well, fear and tradition won out."
-snip-
(Excerpt) Read more at upi.com ...
So--it's more obvious than ever before that the Cardinals made the right choice.
ping
[Totus slaps head against desk]
They (leftist Swedes) just don't get it, do they?
Looks like all the right people are really bent over the new Pope.............GOOD!
Like these guys themselves had anything to offer the poor in Africa and Latin America . . . except perhaps free condoms and cheap abortions.
Title should read "Left Wing Press".
Most of the papers I have seen today have been quite positive and have higlighted the fact he was not a Nazi.
Hmmm... there's a problem with the title... I know!
That's more like it.
Isn't that what a Pope is supposed to do?
If you want flexible doctrines and popular appeal, try the Unitarians.
SO9
"Do the letters 'F.O.' mean anything to ya?"
Regards,
Viking
Not all European papers are sullen about the cardinals' choice. After running through its usual list of humorous captions -- "Papa-Ratzi," "Puff Daddy" and "Papa do Preach" -- Britain's best-selling tabloid The Sun opined: "We applaud a man who recognizes that values are non-negotiable. But is he the bold new man the Catholic Church needs to tackle the problems of the 21st century?"
"Yes," comes the perhaps predictable reply form German papers. "The fact that Ratzinger is from Germany was in the end not an argument against him but for him," says the high-brow Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. "This German -- that is another message of this conclave -- poses no danger to the Church." The mass-market Bild paper also highlights the new pope's nationality. "What an honor," it proclaims, describing the jubilation in Rome, Germany and across the world.
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"Papa-Ratzi," "Puff Daddy" and "Papa do Preach"
As usual the British lead the way in journalism.
: )
Were they meaning that as a cutdown? Becuase it sounds like a compliment to me.
And would that be the ancient five finger heart punch as demonstrated in Kill Bill II....?
The preferred battleground of the secular minority. How heinous of Ratzinger to challenged the entrenched establishment because he believes in, ugh, religious absolutes.
"challenged" = "challenge"
The article on the succession in the French newspaper of record, Le Monde, was detailed and very respectful of the man and his capacities: http://www.lemonde.fr/web/article/0,1-0@2-3458,36-640998@51-634097,0.html
Barvaria is one of the most conservative states of Germany - the other is Baden-Wuerttenburg. This may factor into these lefties' bigotry against Ratzinger.
"Papa-Ratzi," "Puff Daddy" and "Papa do Preach"
As usual the British lead the way in journalism.
: )
"We are not amused."
;-)
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