Another Side of Pope Benedict XVI

Summary of a Fr. Gerry Creedon homily from April 24, 2005

"You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own." 1 Peter 2:7

WE ARE IN THE SEASON between the death of Jesus and Pentecost. The Gospel proclaims, "You will do greater things than these, because I go to the father." Jesus calls his followers to take on his work as he readies himself for his Ascension. In the power of his Spirit we will continue his mission.

This message is implemented today as the universal church celebrates the inauguration of our new pope, Benedict the Sixteenth. We join with Catholics all over the planet as we pray for the Spirit to guide our new Shepherd.

The media has focused on his record as guardian of the faith and enforcer of discipline. His defense of family and life issues has been defined as conservative and traditionalist. The press has not attended to his support of Pope John Paul's role in the areas of peace and justice. You will have difficulty finding his statement on the Iraq war:

“There were not sufficient reasons to unleash a war against Iraq. To say nothing of the fact that, given the new weapons that make possible destructions that go beyond the combatant groups, today we should be asking ourselves if it is still licit to admit the very existence of a 'just war.'”
—Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger , now Pope Benedict XVI, May 2, 2003

In the early sixties as a seminarian I remember studying the the work of the German theologians who laid the basis for the Second Vatican Council. The foremost expert on collegiality was Joseph Ratzinger. He provided the foundations in scripture and church history for the notion of the church as a communion, and exposed the rationale for consultation and a voice for the laity in church governance.

We need to move beyond labels like progressive and conservative. We need to listen to his voice, especially as Pope Benedict XVI. In his earliest papal statements he has called for the ongoing renewal embodied in Vatican II. He has declared his ambition to be a man of peace. He has called for continued outreach to other religions and to non-believers. He has made clear his desire to be a listener to the Word of God and the voice of God's people.. We need to pray with him as he moves from his position as guardian of the faith to pastor to the universal church and to the world.

It is my hope that he will balance the best of the Catholic tradition with an openness to the ongoing work of the Spirit.

In a day when our new Pope pledges his commitment we are all called to a renovation of our individual call to leadership and service. "You are a royal priesthood". It is not enough for us to be church members we need to be disciples and servants, in some unique way.

Yesterday morning 70 of our young people made that vow through the Sacrament of Confirmation. They renewed their baptismal promises as young adults in the church. Let us listen to the ways in which they express that choice.

Logan writes: "I want to be confirmed into the Catholic church. It is important to me to be able to look upon myself as a complete member of our church. I feel ready to take on the task of studying Jesus and the beliefs he stands for.. My religion needs to be a bigger part of my life. Religion is important to me , it helps me to make the right choices and meet the right people."

Listen to Mali, "All I know is that I love God and try to love everyone I know..I think the bishop in Les Miserables had it figured out very well: live simply and help the poor."

Emma professes, "To just stop believing would be easier, right? You wouldn't have to drive out to church every Sunday or pray at night. Would that be easier? If I had nothing to believe in I would have no hope. How does it feel to have no guide? If I did not believe in God then I would always be lost. Wherever you go and whatever you do, Someone watches over you and Someone loves you".

May the community of St Charles join our Pope and our newly confirmed youth in saying yes to our roles of service and leadership within the Church we all love.