Further thought on Benedict XVI

[emperor]

I think I should give Benedict XVI a chance as Pope before judging him quite so harshly. OK, his track record really isn't encouraging, but surely the point of St Peter and his successors is that God makes great things through some pretty average people? His homily from his first Mass as Pope is available here(as PDF). It speaks of the need for ecumenism, and of the values of the second Vatican Council. There is stuff to base hope on in there.

Comments

[sparrowsion]

It's quite strange, given that apparently (the BBC had more details yesterday which I can't now find) he wasn't going to be a popular choice in Germany, even among Catholics, preciselt because of his antagonism to the country's strong ecumenical movement.

[emperor]

I agree that its a slightly suprising first sermon, which is why I find it hopeful.

[megamole.livejournal.com]

"The current Successor of Peter feels himself to be personally
implicated in this question and is disposed to do all in his power to
promote the fundamental cause of ecumenism. In the wake of his
predecessors, he is fully determined to cultivate any initiative that
may seem appropriate to promote contact and agreement with
representatives from the various Churches and ecclesial communities.
Indeed, on this occasion too, he sends them his most cordial
greetings in Christ, the one Lord of all."

Yes, there's hope there.

[sheffers.livejournal.com]

I put in my thoughts yesterday that I believed he would surprise people. Theologically he was a real radical for a while, one of the actual architects of Vatican II. Which is why I always believed he would not want to overturn it. In fact, my personal feeling is that when he enforced doctrinal orthodoxy it was always an enforcement of the letter and spirit of that Council. It established a standard for him.

Still doesn't forgive his intolerance of homosexuality, contraception, etc but we must give him time to prove us wrong?

Anyone see Professor Duffy on Newsnight last night? Thank Buddha for real experts.

[robert-jones.livejournal.com]

I do think it worth bearing in mind firstly that a Pope's reputation as a cardinal has not always been a good guide to his behaviour as a Pope and secondly that as head of the CDF it was Cardinal Ratzinger's job to supress dissention.

[lockymclean.livejournal.com]

As you say, many of God's mighty men have been far from perfect (Moses, Samson, David, Solomon, St Peter, St Paul). When St Peter was weak in faith, Jesus built his Church on him. St Paul did his best to destroy it when he was Saul, but went on to spread the Gospel across Europe, and ultimately across the world through his epistles. God is the strength in our weakness...