A new era or mirror reflection?
The atmosphere was low key.
The first 24 hours of the new Papacy suggested it may be a charisma-free zone, in marked contrast to the enigma that built around John Paul II.
In truth, there was a subdued atmosphere yesterday, as many Catholics pondered what may be a problematic choice for the Church. After such a long and emblematic Papacy, liberal Catholics sought a more moderate, more reforming Pope to leaven some of the more hardline doctrinal stances adopted by John Paul II.
Pope Benedict XVI presents a mirror to John Paul II. He holds unbendingly strident views on homosexuality, on the use of contraceptives to combat HIV and Aids, euthanasia, women priests and the inferior status of other faiths to the Catholic Church.
However, his Papacy will different in one respect, in style and presentation.
Yesterday, in his only substantial public statement, Pope Benedict told Cardinals at a Mass in the Sistine Chapel that he sensed John Paul II holding his hand and guiding as he assumed leadership of the world’s 1.1 billion Catholics. It was the strongest indication that this Papacy will be one of continuity. The Pope did say that he would travel to his native Germany in August to celebrate an international Catholic youth gathering in Cologne.
While he is expected to travel to all the Continents, it is unlikely that Pope Benedict will be an indefatigable globe-trotter like his predecessor. Aged 78, his poor health and innate shyness will prevent him from attempting to become a charismatic pastor.
This Pope’s reputation as an ultra-orthodox conservative has been built up over 35 years.
These views were borne home on Monday when, in a powerfully outspoken sermon, he railed against modern relativism “which puts as its highest value the ego and desires of the individual.”
However, there were some indications that Pope Benedict may not be as strident as Pope as he was when in charge of the Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith. For one, he did not choose the same name as his successor. And yesterday in his sermon he said that his first task would be to unify the Christian churches and to hold sincere dialogue with followers of other faiths.
One of those who fell foul of Cardinal Ratzinger when he was God’s Rotweiller was one of those who warned against premature judgment. German theologian Hans Kung expressed some reservations at his fellow German’s elevation. However, he pointed to the tradition in the US where no view is cast on a president until after his first 100 days in office.
The new Pope will be inaugurated on Sunday at a ceremony attended by many world leaders including President Mary McAleese. It will be then that this Papacy will begin to take shape.
