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2005-04-19 -Short Attention Span Theater-
Habemus Papam! Pope Benedict XVI (Cardinal Ratzinger)
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Posted by OldSpook 2005-04-19 12:46:53 PM|| || Front Page|| [11133 views since 2007-05-07]  Top

#1 And the media's all over it. This is quick even for them...

Cardinal Ratzinger Divides Germans

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050415/ap_on_re_eu/pope_ratzinger_s_roots_1
Posted by tu3031 2005-04-19 12:50:34 PM||   2005-04-19 12:50:34 PM|| Front Page Top

#2 Waiting now to hear the SCREAMS from the left - you know the MSM will queue them up, lest a conservative Pope get any traction liek JP-II did.

This guy is as conservative as you can get - if anything, more conservative than JP-II.

Personally I was hoping for Cardinal Arinze, but Ratzinger is fine by me too. One reason Ratzinger? He is 78 (or is it 79?). That means a shorter papacy. Perhaps Arinze's turn will be the next one.

But: VIVA EL PAPA! to all us Catholics. Ratzinger should not let us down as a guardian of the faith.
Posted by OldSpook 2005-04-19 12:50:46 PM||   2005-04-19 12:50:46 PM|| Front Page Top

#3 Ratzinger sees himself as a moderate as noted in another thread. Which means the liberals will see him as an Arch-Conservative. And since he is German, they are probably starting the "Nazi" undercurrent right about now.

The good thing is that John Paul II basically trained him and Ratzinger was JP-II's right-hand-man. So he is already familiar with the Vatican, and the issues facing the Chruch -- and the way JP-II was planning to handle them.

He is a strong traditionalist, and was "a guardian of the faith" that slapped down Liberation Theology, and a lot of the other things unacceptable to the Church like gay marriage and radical feminism.

Imagine that, someone claiming that there are real differences between men and women.

You will hear the Left positively howl - read a lot of the stuff Pope Benedict XVI (Ratzinger) has written, and you will see a thread that continues throught John Paul II's entire papacy, starting with Vatican II. Its good that he is well written - you need to be that to follow an incredible Church scholar like JP-II.
Posted by OldSpook 2005-04-19 12:57:52 PM||   2005-04-19 12:57:52 PM|| Front Page Top

#4 Anyone else finding hit pieces coming out?

Any bets as to how long it takes them to attack him, even though he will be teaching the same things JP-II did?

Already they are discounting him as a "transitional" Pope. 78 years old is being emphasized.

Can they not leave their biases alone for a day? (Only Fox seems to be asking the people that count - the lay faithful and some brand new priests, American ones!)
Posted by OldSpook 2005-04-19 1:02:24 PM||   2005-04-19 1:02:24 PM|| Front Page Top

#5 Mods, can you put this link in the main title?

http://www.catholicnews.com/jpii/cardinals/0501850.htm

This is a Biography of Pope Benedict XVI
Posted by OldSpook 2005-04-19 1:06:36 PM||   2005-04-19 1:06:36 PM|| Front Page Top

#6 
Can they not leave their biases alone for a day?
Of course not, OS.

What were you thinking?
Posted by Barbara Skolaut  2005-04-19 1:14:18 PM||   2005-04-19 1:14:18 PM|| Front Page Top

#7 Some insights for you from his bio that may indicate where Pope Benedict XVI will be headed.


{prior section on the quashing of Liberation Theology with its mishmas od Marxism}

But after the collapse of Marxism as a global ideology, Cardinal Ratzinger identified a new, central threat to the faith: relativism. He said relativism is an especially difficult problem for the church because its main ideas -- compromise and a rejection of absolute positions -- are so deeply imbedded in democratic society.

More and more, he has warned, anything religious is considered "subjective." As a result, he said, in places like his native Germany, the issue of abortion is being confronted with "political correctness" instead of moral judgment.

He said modern theologians are among those who have mistakenly applied relativistic concepts to religion and ethics. ...

He also has focused on ordinary Catholics, saying there can be no compromise on dissent by lay faithful. The cardinal helped prepare a papal instruction on the subject in 1998 and accompanied it with his own commentary warning Catholics they would put themselves outside the communion of the church if they reject its teachings on eight specific issues.
Posted by OldSpook 2005-04-19 1:14:22 PM||   2005-04-19 1:14:22 PM|| Front Page Top

#8 Anyone care to guess at the 8 issues?

I'm headed to the parish to celebrate! See you in a few hours.
Posted by OldSpook 2005-04-19 1:15:38 PM||   2005-04-19 1:15:38 PM|| Front Page Top

#9 One last note for the Mods: - could you change the headline - add "Pope" before the Benedict XVI

Thanks!
Posted by OldSpook 2005-04-19 1:20:21 PM||   2005-04-19 1:20:21 PM|| Front Page Top

#10 I wish I could be as happy as Old Spook.

The conservative part is fine by me, but I have a real problem with the advice that he gave JP II regarding the child molestation problem here in America. The recommendation that the American bishops' get rid of the "you molest a kid, you are outta here" policy was, I'm going to come out and say it, evil. There's no place in the priesthood for someone like that, and if he sees otherwise, that's not good. I expect better from my church.

Hopefully OS is right, and Arinze will get it next time. And soon.
Posted by Desert Blondie 2005-04-19 1:27:21 PM|| [http://azjetsetchick.blogspot.com]  2005-04-19 1:27:21 PM|| Front Page Top

#11 He is a very principled, but kind hearted friendly and modest man. He is not someone, as the left claims, who won't discuss. He knows where he stands though.

I know him from the late 70s, when he was archbishop of Munich and Freising, actually because we were friends of the musician and composer Carl Orff ("Carmina Burana") who introduced Ratzinger to us. Several times he was our invited guest before he was called to Rome.

We had very spirited discussions which included Islam, which he seemed to know very well. We talked about Khomeini and the rise of Islamic fanatism which Ratzinger saw with great worries. You can expect him to be very clear on that point. He is very much against religious leaders assuming political roles. That doesn't keep him from having political views. He emphasizes Europe judeochristian traditions and refuses a greater role of Islam in Europe.
Posted by True German Ally 2005-04-19 1:34:55 PM||   2005-04-19 1:34:55 PM|| Front Page Top

#12 Thank you, Lord.
Posted by SR-71 2005-04-19 1:36:49 PM||   2005-04-19 1:36:49 PM|| Front Page Top

#13 Let the LLL shrieking commence!

Posted by peggy  2005-04-19 1:37:06 PM||   2005-04-19 1:37:06 PM|| Front Page Top

#14 If TGA likes him, that's good enough for me!

(Dang! You get to run with the big dogs.)
Posted by Mike  2005-04-19 1:41:46 PM||   2005-04-19 1:41:46 PM|| Front Page Top

#15 I am not Roman Catholic but was raised in a Roman Catholic Neighborhood and most of my friends went to church run schools. Getting a Pope this quickly is a good thing. I expect Pope Benidict to continue the policies of Pope John Paul.

Pope Benedict is a believer in the power of prayer. He also wrote much for Pope John Paul. It is a good thing Pope Benidict has issue with relativism, as a German he knows and can see the impact of that first hand. Modern Germany is about a relativist as you can get.

I hope the new Pope has a long and productive reign.
Posted by Sock Puppet 0’ Doom 2005-04-19 1:42:07 PM|| [http://www.slhess.com]  2005-04-19 1:42:07 PM|| Front Page Top

#16 TGA knows the Pope? Why doesn't that surprise me?
Posted by tu3031 2005-04-19 1:43:30 PM||   2005-04-19 1:43:30 PM|| Front Page Top

#17 TGA knew Carl Orff? Whoa.

Thanks for the insight, btw. Good news.
Posted by someone 2005-04-19 1:58:02 PM||   2005-04-19 1:58:02 PM|| Front Page Top

#18 The BBC referred to the Pope as Pope Panzer some time ago. God bless Pope Benedict 16!
Posted by Captain America 2005-04-19 2:21:17 PM||   2005-04-19 2:21:17 PM|| Front Page Top

#19 Can you please change the headline to "Habemus Papam"? (not papem)
Posted by True German Ally 2005-04-19 2:25:53 PM||   2005-04-19 2:25:53 PM|| Front Page Top

#20 Well, if TGA can vouch for him, I feel a little bit better. ;)
Posted by Desert Blondie 2005-04-19 2:27:25 PM|| [http://azjetsetchick.blogspot.com]  2005-04-19 2:27:25 PM|| Front Page Top

#21 Done, TGA. I'm glad someone has Latin here ... now classical Greek I can do, but I confess Latin bores me to tears for some reason.
Posted by rkb 2005-04-19 2:29:35 PM||   2005-04-19 2:29:35 PM|| Front Page Top

#22 Oh btw, just because I know him doesn't mean that I'm his biggest fan. I have my own problems with the Church, for many reasons.

But I always liked people who clearly stand up for what they believe, all the time.
Posted by True German Ally 2005-04-19 2:45:33 PM||   2005-04-19 2:45:33 PM|| Front Page Top

#23 TGA - still looking for a retirement property?
Posted by thibaud (aka lex) 2005-04-19 2:58:19 PM||   2005-04-19 2:58:19 PM|| Front Page Top

#24 TGA - brushing up on your Italian for that visit to Rome? ;-p
Posted by Barbara Skolaut  2005-04-19 3:03:15 PM||   2005-04-19 3:03:15 PM|| Front Page Top

#25 Old Spook, the hit pieces began before the Pope was confirmed. NPR had an interview with one Laura Goodstein (?) of the NY Times in which they discussed at length Ratzinger's alleged childhood membership in the Hitler youth.

No idea whether this is true or not, but even if it is, I find it interesting that they didn't note that Ratzinger was selected by that Polish resister of Nazi atrocity, Karol Wojtyla, as his # 2. Hard to believe Wojtyla would have selected one with any kind of voluntary Nazi attachment in his past.

Expect more of the Ratzinger as Nazi meme. Probably an above the fold NYT piece to come.
Posted by thibaud (aka lex) 2005-04-19 3:03:18 PM||   2005-04-19 3:03:18 PM|| Front Page Top

#26 TGA: Der Neue Alte.
Posted by Mrs. Davis 2005-04-19 3:05:25 PM||   2005-04-19 3:05:25 PM|| Front Page Top

#27 thibaud (lex)... some month ago I bought a large property in Southern Bavaria... I'm afraid it's a bit too late to move to Colorado :-)

Barbara, my Italian is quite good actually, but I guess the Pope has other worries than showing me around the Vatican :-)

But ohhhh the Vatican library... you bet I keep in touch :-)
Posted by True German Ally 2005-04-19 3:07:19 PM||   2005-04-19 3:07:19 PM|| Front Page Top

#28 TGA: I've got a spare bedroom if you're ever in the north half of Ohio.
Posted by Mike  2005-04-19 3:31:22 PM||   2005-04-19 3:31:22 PM|| Front Page Top

#29 ...we were friends of the musician and composer Carl Orff ("Carmina Burana")...

Damn, TGA! Sometimes I wonder if you're for real.

I don't like classical music much, but I like that. (That might not be a very good recommendation.)
Posted by Angie Schultz 2005-04-19 3:36:39 PM|| [http://darkblogules.blogspot.com]  2005-04-19 3:36:39 PM|| Front Page Top

#30 It sounds like the Cardinals are making a clear message for the world, as well as the LLL: Their church teachings have a central place in their faith and that moral relativism and trendy stuff are out, too. That is a good thing that someone takes a stand on the soul-less doctrine of the LLL. We non-Catholics may have differences with the Church, but basic issues need to be brought to the forefront. The LLL may howl, but let them. The Church has made a stand from which they will not retreat. Witness the selection of Pope Benedict XVI in a relatively short time.
Posted by Alaska Paul  2005-04-19 3:55:32 PM||   2005-04-19 3:55:32 PM|| Front Page Top

#31 Well Angie, here's a funny coincidence.
Carl Orff was the composer of the Carmina Burana. Those were actually medieval songs, named after the place they were found:
The monastery of Benediktbeuern.
Posted by True German Ally 2005-04-19 4:10:06 PM||   2005-04-19 4:10:06 PM|| Front Page Top

#32 It will be interesting to see what impact this papal election has on the EU constitution's ratification. The Church is certainly being hard-pressed in Europe by militant secularism. Recent actions by the Europhiles, including the elimination of any mention of Christianity in the EU constitution, and the rejection of Rocco Buttiglione's nomination as the EU's Justice Commissioner, were widely seen as anti-Catholic (More on this from a Catholic perspective here).

It looks to me that with the selection of Cardinal Ratzinger as the new Pope Benedict XVI, the Battle for Europe is fully engaged. I wouldn't be surprised to see within the next 12 months more Vatican-related stories posted to Rantburg's Pages 1&2.
Posted by mrp 2005-04-19 4:17:23 PM||   2005-04-19 4:17:23 PM|| Front Page Top

#33 the Battle for Europe is fully engaged

That's why I figured it would have to be a European selected to be pope. The cardinals in South America and Africa cannot possibly have the experience that men like Benedict XVI have gained in battling the moral relativists, moonbats, LLLers, etc. that are literally crawling out of the woodwork in Europe.

Glad to see they've decided to fight the war in Europe first.
Posted by Dreadnought 2005-04-19 5:26:20 PM||   2005-04-19 5:26:20 PM|| Front Page Top

#34 Let's hope he cracks down on the pedophiles while he's at it. He could surrender Law to the authorities for questioning, for a start.
Posted by thibaud (aka lex) 2005-04-19 5:34:06 PM||   2005-04-19 5:34:06 PM|| Front Page Top

#35 "How much filth there is in the Church, and even among those who, in the priesthood, ought to belong entirely to him!"

Well, I guess Law didn't vote for Ratzinger who said these words...
Posted by True German Ally 2005-04-19 6:26:21 PM||   2005-04-19 6:26:21 PM|| Front Page Top

#36  "The problem of truth and human fellowship is important for democratic societies; it seems to me to be particularly important for this country (the USA-E.B.), where men and women coming from a great diversity of national stocks and religious or philosophical creeds have to live together. If each one of them endeavored to impose his own convictions and the truth in which he believes on all his co-citizens, would not living together become impossible? That is obviously right. Well, it is easy, too easy, to go a step further, and to ask: if each one sticks to his own convictions, will not each one endeavor to impose his own convictions on all others? So that, as a result, living together will become impossible if any citizen whatever sticks to his own convictions and believes in a given truth?"

Thus it is not unusual to meet people who think that NOT TO BELIEVE IN ANY TRUTH, or NOT TO ADHERE FIRMLY TO ANY ASSERTION AS UNSHAKABLY TRUE IN ITSELF (Maritain's emphasis), is a primary condition required of democratic citizens in order to be tolerant of one another and to live in peace with one another. May I say that these people are in fact the most intolerant people, for if perchance they were to believe in something as unshakably true, they would feel compelled, by the same stroke, to impose by force and coercion their own belief on their co-citizens. The only remedy they have found to get rid of their abiding tendency to fanaticism is to cut themselves off from truth. That is a suicidal method. It is a suicidal conception of democracy: not only would a democratic society which lived on universal skepticism condemn itself to death by starvation; but it would also enter a process of self-annihilation, from the very fact that no democratic society can live without a common practical belief in those truths which are freedom, justice, law, and the other tenets of democracy; and that any belief in these things as objectively and unshakably true, as well as in any other kind of truth, would be brought to naught by the presumed law of universal skepticism...

Be it a question of science, metaphysics, or religion, the man who says: "What is truth?" as Pilate did, is not a tolerant man, but a betrayer of the human race. There is real and genuine tolerance only when a man is firmly and absolutely convinced of a truth, or of what he holds to be a truth, and when he at the same time recognizes the right of those who deny this truth to exist, and to contradict him, and to speak their own mind, not because they are free from truth but because they seek truth in their own way, and because he respects in them human nature and human dignity and those very resources and living springs of the intellect and of conscience which make them potentially capable of attaining the truth he loves, if someday they happen to see it. (Jacques Maritain. "Truth and Human Fellowship," in ON THE USE OF PHILOSOPHY: THREE ESSAYS. (New York: Atheneum) 1965, pp. 17-18, 24)



Posted by Ernest Brown 2005-04-19 9:25:08 PM|| [http://saturninretrograde.blogspot.com]  2005-04-19 9:25:08 PM|| Front Page Top

#37 Off-topic or abusive comments deleted]
Posted by CrazyFool 2005-04-19 11:17:49 PM||   2005-04-19 11:17:49 PM|| Front Page Top

#38 Off-topic or abusive comments deleted]
Posted by CrazyFool 2005-04-19 11:17:49 PM||   2005-04-19 11:17:49 PM|| Front Page Top

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