Cdn Catholics Reflect on New Pope (LifeSiteNews.com Editor Happy, Liberals Not)

Toronto Sun ^ | April 19 | LEE-ANNE GOODMAN

[nickcarraway]

(CP) - Susan Brundl is a Catholic German-Canadian - someone who might have been expected to greet Tuesday's announcement of a German pope with some celebration.

But the 40-year-old social worker from Toronto says she's deeply disappointed with the selection of the conservative Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger as the man who will succeed Pope John Paul.

"It makes no difference to me if he's German or not, but a more progressive pope would have been a much better idea," said Brundl, who's grown disillusioned with her church due to its refusal to ordain women and to condone the use of condoms in the over-populated Third World, where millions are sick with AIDS and starving.

"I had really hoped they might have picked a Third World pope, someone who would have been more in touch with the pressing issues in the world."

Brundl, a self-described lapsed Catholic, was among a number of Canadian Catholics who greeted news of Ratzinger's ascension to the head of the Roman Catholic Church with emotions that ran the gamut from delight to disbelief and dismay.

The founder and editor of the Catholic pro-life news service, LifeSiteNews.com, said he was thrilled by the choice.

"It has been a great joy for us to hear of his election," said John-Henry Westen, who sits on the executive of the largest pro-life group in Canada, Campaign Life Coalition.

"This cardinal, having served the church as the protector of doctrine in the church for the last 24 or so years, has already shown his great love for the teachings of the church which he defends so strongly - issues of life and family."

Westen says Ratzinger, 78, made it clear as he entered this week's conclave to choose a new pope that liberals and modernists must be confronted head-on.

"He's saying, no no no, we have to be upfront and in love with the whole world and at the same time hold the truth that the church teaches and knows to be true," he said.

It's precisely that stance, others say, that proves Ratzinger is bad news for a church that is rapidly losing parishioners in North America and now risks further alienating young people who don't view pre-marital sex or birth control as sinful.

"I am really distressed as are millions of progressives the world over," said Rosemary Ganley, a Catholic feminist and assistant editor of the Catholic New Times.

"It's such a strong signal, almost a defiant signal, of more of the same. He and John Paul were like-minded; they seem almost fearful of the modern world."

But the Bishop of Calgary, Fred Henry, said Ratzinger is misunderstood.

"He has the image of course of being the hammer, and I don't think that is really true to fact," said Henry, himself a conservative Catholic who has been an outspoken critic of everything from gay marriage to including eulogies in funeral services.

"I found him to always be a gentle man, a humble man and one who is very willing to listen ... he will be a good solid leader for the church."

Prime Minister Paul Martin said he spoke not only for himself but on behalf of the government and all Canadians in welcoming the news of Ratzinger's selection.

"We know that he will cherish and continue the legacy of Pope John Paul II, and we pledge our support to his all-important work in the service of humanity, both in promoting human rights and in fostering greater understanding between the peoples and the nations of the world," Martin said.

Ganley had a different take.

"The church is bleeding women, and this choice is bad for the development of our faith," she said.

Sister Susan Kidd, 42, of the Montreal-based Congregation of Notre Dame, said the choice was "disappointing for people who have been questioning religion and religious practice and that's women and men, young and old."

But she added she won't lose sleep worrying about what the pope thinks.

"My faith gets fulfilled at the local level," said Kidd, who's also a high-school teacher in Toronto. "Even me, I've given my life to the church and to Jesus through the church ... but I don't lie awake at night thinking: 'What's Ratzinger going to say tomorrow?"'

She added even with the choice of a conservative hardliner as the new pope, the church can still modernize.

"I don't think he can ever really stifle growth because it's bigger than any one person, but as far as ... bringing a breath of fresh air in, it's not going to be that kind of papacy."

Ganley said there was one silver lining: those who have spent years pushing for reform in the church will now give it up and focus their attention on humanitarian work.

"We may marshal some of our energy that we have put, pointlessly, into changing the church into social movements and make a better contribution there," she said. "Today's a day of grieving and some shock. It's a reality check. But it could mean we'll devote our time and commitment to causes that really need us now."

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Canadians react to the selection of Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger as the new pope:

-"The new pope will obviously be called to do his part to continue the work of John Paul II .... We expect a lot from Benedict XVI but we can't forget he expects a lot from us, our churches around the world." Msgr. Anthony Mancini of the Montreal diocese.

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- "He's a brilliant theologian who's got his views on where we are, particularly in the West." Archbishop James Weisgerber of Winnipeg.

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-"He is a learned theologian, creative and profound. Everyone who has met him has always said that he is a very gentle, loving, humble man - which is not exactly the image people portrayed of him." Archibishop Thomas Collins of Edmonton.

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-"I think one of the things that we will see will be an understanding of what the media terms as hardline and what faithful Catholics would term faithful or true to the teachings of the faith." John-Henry Westen, founder and editor of LifeSiteNews.com.

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-"We hope that under Pope Benedict XVI, the doors to communication between Jewish and Catholic leadership will remain wide open, so that we can rise to the challenge of working together to address all-important global issues such as poverty, inequalities between peoples, crimes against humanity and HIV-AIDS." Ed Morgan, president of the Canadian Jewish Congress.

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-"I was kind of hoping they'd go in a more liberal way ... I do wish the church would just get a little bit more modern, especially about women and letting priests marry." Dana Brooks, 48, as he walked his dog in Toronto.

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-"They need to shake it up a little bit but it will take a lot more centuries." Harry Beattie, 56, in Toronto.

[starfish923]

I am delighted for Benedict XVI, the PanzerPope.

Let the German haters vent forth. They will.

Europe, Germany included, needed another pope. The third world countries, growing in Catholics, can wait their turn. They don't need it, imho, as much as the first world Christian countries do.

God bless PanzerKardinal Joseph Rat("Councillor" in German)zinger, Benedict (Blessed) XVI. Benedict XV did much to bring togther Christians after WW I.
It's a good name.

I hope he stays healthy for many, many years.

[jocon307]

Well I am partly of German Catholic descent and I must say I am very proud. I hope he's a big a right winger as they say, but my fondest wishes are probably only dreams. But since the lefties are all screaming blue murder, I can only be happy about this.

[charliemarlow]

Can someone please provide a link to archived video of Pope Benedict XVI's first speech as pope?
Thanks!

[LibFreeOrDie]

Link to video is on this page (click the "Launch" button):

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7523254/

[donbosco74]

ping

[Cronos]

It's precisely that stance, others say, that proves Ratzinger is bad news for a church that is rapidly losing parishioners in North America and now risks further alienating young people who don't view pre-marital sex or birth control as sinful.

Rot. youngsters are not looking for wishy-washy groups that say do what you like. That's killed off the ECUSA. But look at the Anglicans in Africa -- they have not compromised and are still going strong. Look at the Orthodox, they haven't compromised either and are still going strong. Ditto for Eastern-rite Catholics. With the PanzerKardinal in charge, I see many Europeans coming back to the conservative fold, I see Asians, Africans and Latin Americans growing in the faith. I would have preferrerd a third world pope, that's true, but Ratzinger's a good choice in my opinion

[Salvation]

Canadian Catholicis will come around. We just need to pray for them.

[NYer]

"It makes no difference to me if he's German or not, but a more progressive pope would have been a much better idea," said Brundl, who's grown disillusioned with her church due to its refusal to ordain women and to condone the use of condoms in the over-populated Third World, where millions are sick with AIDS and starving.

These 'lapsed' catholics simply don't get it. The pope's job is to conserve the deposit of faith. Even the worst popes in the church's history NEVER erred on doctrine. JPII infallibly declared that the issue of women's ordination was dead.

If these people are so at odds with the teachings of the Catholic Church, the door is wide open and they may leave. There are 30,000+ other christian churches that embrace those teachings they seek to impose on Christ's Church.

Catholic Ping
Please freepmail me if you want on/off this list

[NYer]

"It makes no difference to me if he's German or not, but a more progressive pope would have been a much better idea," said Brundl, who's grown disillusioned with her church due to its refusal to ordain women and to condone the use of condoms in the over-populated Third World, where millions are sick with AIDS and starving.

These 'lapsed' catholics simply don't get it. The pope's job is to conserve the deposit of faith. Even the worst popes in the church's history NEVER erred on doctrine. JPII infallibly declared that the issue of women's ordination was dead.

If these people are so at odds with the teachings of the Catholic Church, the door is wide open and they may leave. There are 30,000+ other christian churches that embrace those teachings they seek to impose on Christ's Church.

Catholic Ping
Please freepmail me if you want on/off this list

[Liz]

If these people are so at odds with the teachings of the Catholic Church, the door is wide open and they may leave. There are 30,000+ other christian churches that embrace those teachings they seek to impose on Christ's Church.

They fail to acknowledge that hundreds of millions of Catholics are perfectly happy with the historic church.

I'd gladly give these disaffected types a going-away party....as long as they go far, far away.

[reformjoy]

Oh great!

If Hitler had a daughter,
it would be Hillary...

And now..the pope is a Hitler Youth!!!

*The Beast Lives*

[FatherofFive]

"It's such a strong signal, almost a defiant signal, of more of the same"

2,000 years of same old, same old. That's the way it is going to stay.

[SolomoninSouthDakota]

"further alienating young people who don't view pre-marital sex or birth control as sinful."

Now there is a reliable way for leaders to set their values!! Give the untrained what they want! (/sarcasm off)

[SolomoninSouthDakota]

You won't be disappointed.
Solomon in South Dakota

[franky]

###"I had really hoped they might have picked a Third World pope, someone who would have been more in touch with the pressing issues in the world."###

She will have her wishes granted when Cardinal Arinze moves onto Pope Benedict XVI's old job.

Her skirts will surely be flapping in the breeze when the Holy Spirit blows some sense into her. Come Holy Spirit Come.