Benedict XVI

I walked into the Student Center today and saw his face on the TV. It was a face I dreaded. There was no way that the conclave had just elected Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger as the pope. Did they? Yep. What followed was a quick jog back to the apartment to watch CNN and skip lunch until Buddhism class.

My first suspicion of Ratzinger started in my Contemporary Catholicism class last Fall. Before I’d even read anything about him I was suspicious. It may have been that ‘rat’ is in his name, but something just rubbed me the wrong way. After I’d read more about him, he wasn’t villainous, but he did go against a lot of things I appreciate. Heading the group that censured theologians, Ratzinger started out on the wrong position with me. Coming from my background, I can rarely see times where censorship is the best solution, especially in terms of Liberation theology as well as women’s ordination.

Could it really have happened? They had just elected this man to serve as a spiritual leader to over 1 billion people, and someone to be admired by even more.

After several hours of stewing over it, I think I’m more comfortable with it than I would have been with a dark horse papabile. Benedict is known for his strict stance and his ability to deal with doctrine. While for most this may be a negative effect, he could strengthen the church by helping Catholics articulate their faith even better than many do now.

My biggest concern was his stance on Christian unity. Interdenominational efforts probably aren’t going to be helped by his papacy. His strictness will get in the way. Watching CNN this afternoon I saw an interview with Cardinal Kasper, the German Cardinal who heads the Pontifical Council on Christian Unity. I loved his comments. While he didn’t reassure me that Benedict would be the best Pope for unity (almost no one could be after John Paul II), he did serve as a reminder that the Catholic Church is more than just the Pope. Even though Papal primacy still exists, the Catholic Church is also mostly made up of the over 1 billion other members.

A lot of the issues of ‘crisis’ for the American Catholic Church probably won’t be solved by Benedict. Even though the priesthood shortage, the laity’s struggle for an involved role, and the general distrust in the hierarchy won’t be solved, Benedict will, hopefully, be able to give Catholics a firmer voice.

Benedict’s comments when he appeared at the window overlooking St. Peter’s square, “I am comforted by the fact that the Lord knows how to work and act even with insufficient instruments. And above all, I entrust myself to your prayers.” Just like God working in the Eucharist through inept priests, I’m anxious to see God work through Benedict. Surprises may, and probably will, happen.