Reactions, criticism or praise for the selection.
I’m very disappointed. Not so much for him being conservative, though partly that, but I was really hoping for pretty much any non-Caucasian.
Isn’t he nearly 80? They’ll likely have to do this again soon.
77, and that’s part of the idea. Long tenures are generally followedby short ones.
Let’s hope not as short as JPI.
God be with him as long as he lasts.
Regards,
Shoda
How’s about a link to who the guy is (ie, his real name) and some background on his theological perspective. From the OP, I’ll just say that I think “the 16th” is rather cumbersome…
I’m dissapointed, but reservedly so–after all, it isn’t my church (although if its social positions were more liberal it might very well be some time in the future). I think Christianity in general needs a shot in the arm, at least in the west. I don’t see that happening with this pontiff, but I wish nothing but the best for him and the church.
The former Cardinal Joseph Ratziger. He’s mentioned in any number of threads here; do a search. Out of respect for our Catholic members, I won’t characterize his attitudes and theology.
Hmmm…well, Pius VIII was supposed to be a liberal, (or was it Pius IX?), and turned out to be an ultra-conservative once he was elected. (The guy who first started the ex cathedra doctrine.)
I’m disappointed too. Although he did take the name Benedict, and if I’m not mistaken, Benedict XV was rather liberal.
Joseph Ratzinger is Pope Benedict XVI.
Theologically and socially, well, here’s a blurb from the NY Times on him:
Well, we survived the Borgias, the Medicis, The Avignon schism, and any number of Holy Roman Emperor puppets. We’ll probably survive Ratzy.
He’s that bad?
German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, very conservative, though undoubtedly a smart cookie. He’s been a close advisor to JPII for a long time.
As far as I know, he’s even more staunchly against:
Women clergy
Same-sex marriage
Birth control
Than JPII.
The scariest thing from a PR perspective is the Nazi ties. Someone will have a good cite.
Here’s the last (I think) Pope predictions thread which I started:
Current Next Pope Predictions
There’s some background/links there to see who he beat out. Of course all the betting links are dead.
I have a feeling this choice will be dissappointing for many. Not for the conspiracy theorists though. Quite a shot in the arm for the old “RCC was in league with the Nazis”. lol
Why not? This is a debate, so if we only hear one side we won’t learn anything. Do you mean you need some time to prepare a non-Pitworthy post?
How can you be more opposed than JPII? Did he have anything good to say about any of those subjects?
He was in Hitler Youth, IIRC, but so what? Did any kids have a choice about joining?
I can’t say I’m wild about having a hard-line ultraconservative as Pope right now, but we’ll see.
What are the likely candidates for his first official actions?
To be fair to him, he doesn’t really have Nazi ties. He was a kid in Nazi Germany, which meant he had to join the Hitler Youth, which was mandatory. Then, near the end of the war, he was drafted. He then deserted, was captured by the Americans, and spent the rest of the war in an American POW camp.
Benedict XVI is ( now former ) Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, head of the Catholic Church’s modern iteration of the Inquisition ( not a poke, but quite literally - he was Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the office which replaced the Inquisition ). German-born, briefly inducted into the Hitler Youth during WW II ( purportedly against his will ) and the archest of arch-conservatives in the Catholic church today. Reportedly a superb theologian. Wikipedia:
- Tamerlane
You can go even more out of your way to say bad things.
No, and he did desert at risk of execution. OTOH, that won’t make a difference to some.