by Rose Marie Berger

April 21, 2005 [posted here 4-22-05]

I have no doubt that Pope Benedict will uphold the consistent moral stance of Catholic social teaching to the world at large. He will continue to speak clearly about economic justice, a consistent ethic of life, and a strong opposition to war. He stated in his first homily a "determination to continue the commitment to implement the Second Vatican Council" - which will celebrate its 40th anniversary this year - and noted that the teachings are particularly relevant to the "new needs of the Church and the present globalized society."

What the church needs most is a pope who will apply the moral clarity and pastoral mercy of Catholic social teaching to the internal life of the Catholic Church. We do not need a reactionary leader, as Cardinal Ratzinger has proved himself to be, who misidentifies plurality of discourse as heresy, elevates gender apartheid to the level of sanctity, and who views accountability as an attack on authority.

Yes, the church needs a leader deeply rooted in the wisdom gained from 2,000 years of history. But just as importantly it needs a confident leader who welcomes diversity within the church, who empowers local church authority, who teaches moral discernment and the development of conscience in a way that addresses the vast complexities of the age in which we actually live....

In a 180-degree turn from his former self, Pope Benedict stated yesterday that "theological dialogue is necessary." This will be critically important if he is to lead less like the law-invoking Pharisees and more like Mary Magdalene when she said, "I have seen the Lord" (John 20:18). As Cardinal Ratzinger, he did not meet the qualifications of what the church needs now. As Pope Benedict XVI, I pray that they will say of him what they said of Salvadoran Archbishop Romero - that he was a "converted bishop."

May Benedict XVI be a "converted pope."

Rose Marie Berger, an associate editor of Sojourners, is a Catholic peace activist and poet.

From SojoMail – a weekly email-zine of spirituality, politics and culture, produced by Sojourners

I teach the new members class at East Main Presbyterian Church. We begin by looking at the history of the Presbyterian Church and a discussion of its theology and doctrines. Then we look at "What does it mean to be Christian?" "What does it mean to be Reformed?" and end with a lesson on Calvinism, specifically TULIP. From time to time we have a couple from a "mixed" marriage…one a Catholic and the other a non-Catholic; usually the non-Catholic comes from a more conservative or fundamentalist tradition such as Baptist. They are looking for a compromise in the Presbyterian Church. I always discourage them from joining as a compromise. My advice is for them to respect each other's religious beliefs but to remain true to their particular faith. "I would rather you be a good Catholic and you be a good Baptist than both of you be wishy-washy Presbyterians…we have all we need of them in the PCUSA anyway."

I doubt Pope Benedict XVI will spend any mea culpas due to the musings of the left wing of an insignificant and declining Protestant enterprise like the PCUSA. God bless Pope Benedict XVI. May he remain as faithful as was his predecessor, Pope John Paul II.

Very Respectfully,


Earl H. Tilford, Jr., PhD
Professor of History
Grove City College