Not a good day for the Catholic left wingers, they did not want Joseph Ratzinger to be elected Pope. Ratzinger is a doctrine clone of Pope John
Paul II. Conservative, and sticks to the teachings of the church.
In recent years, there has been a movement afoot to make it easier to be Catholic, loosen up the reigns and be “more with the times”. It is not going to happen under this Pope’s reign.
Left wing Catholics who looked for more freedom need to look elsewhere. This guy will not be a friend to radical priest who are members of Socialist groups in South and Central America. He will not be saying Mass for the Sandinistas in Nicaragua. He is very conservative and will guide his church in that direction.
Locally there are a few tears being shed by some in power positions. They wanted to relax the rules. Seems American Bishops lean left and have bucked the status quo. They too will have to deal with a man who some say is a simple, humble worker.
Pope Benedict XVI reign will not be an easy one. North America has not produced many priests nor nuns and many of the orders are reporting shrinking numbers. The new Pontiff will have to inspire many young Catholics to devote their lives to the calling.
Benedict XVI will have to heal a split among Catholics. One disgruntled German Catholic said he was not pleased with the selection, and that the new Pope would put the brakes on all progressive movements in the church. He will.
Not an easy task to heal this rift, even for his predecessor.
That’s How I See It!
God Bless,
 | 
Webb's World ~ 04/20
