Sheer and utter disappointment.
I suppose it was only natural to have the Shadow Pope move into the job, but still... I had high hopes we'd finally get a pope who wanted to move the Church forward, and not back.
If you want a better handle on Pope Benedict XVI's teachings, go here . The Vatican server might be a little bogged down right now, so be patient.
If you thought John Paul II was conservative, you ain't seen nothing. The new Pope is positively reactionary.
I am just so disappointed.
For a different take go and read Doug, who's "pleasantly stunned."
UPDATE: The Llamas have a good roundup of links.
UPDATE II: Swiftee asks in the comments what I was hoping would happen.
Go here and be shocked at my radicalism!
Posted by Kathy at April 19, 2005 12:37 PMKathy, I wonder what it was you were expecting to have happen?
In other words, what in your opinion, constitutes "moving the Church forward"?
Posted by: Swiftee at April 19, 2005 01:18 PMWent there - Read that.
You spent a considerable effort justifying your apostacy Kathy, but you never did say what it is you DO believe or why?
Could it be that you don't know?
You made two very correct observations with which I fully agree:
"The way I see it God gave me a brain and He gave me Free Will. I'm using them. If I'm using them improperly, well, I'll find out about it at Judgment Day, won't I?"
"Lots of people will disagree with me, I am sure, and they are more than welcome to do it. God gave them a brain and free will, too."
You are free to do as you wish, you can call yourself a Catholic and yet "pick and choose" but that will not make it so any more than calling yourself a butterfly will send you aloft.
End of lecture ;-)
I know plenty about what I believe in. And if you didn't get it from that post, no amount of me spelling it out for you is going to change your preordained opinion about my faithfulness as a Catholic simply because I'm disappointed in Cardinal Ratzinger's election. Let's be clear about that.
And you're a Catholic? Hmmm. Just got back from reading your blog and curiously enough you wrote you weren't. So, technically speaking, you believe you're the best judge as to my "apostasy?"
Aha. And here I thought God was the ultimate judge, but apparently I was wrong. It's the Protestants I should really be worried about.
Thanks for clearing that up. I appreciate it.
Posted by: Kathy at April 19, 2005 02:21 PMEr, where did you read where I said I wasn't Catholic Kathy?
I am and always have been Catholic, and although I abandoned the practice of my faith for 15 years before returning, I never denounced the Church..even as an apostate.
Posted by: Swiftee at April 19, 2005 02:46 PMOK, I saw where I confused you. All better now ;-)
Posted by: Swiftee at April 19, 2005 02:50 PM
God, in the Church, works through fallible men. Peter himself rejected Christ three times, yet he was still the rock upon whom the church was built. His successors are no better than Peter; often they are worse. Fallible men. Which is why the Church's claim of infallibility is drawn so narrowly. It never claimed to be perfect in all things at all times.
Yet the Church survives, endures, and in some parts of the world, prospers. Wicked men may, from time to time, live within its walls, but even they cannot damage it.
Just my $.02.
Posted by: The Colossus at April 19, 2005 03:32 PMVery well put Colossus.
Our fallibility is why Christ personally intervenes in decisions that draw on the Majesterium.
Posted by: Swiftee at April 19, 2005 04:40 PMKathy , you are not alone in your disappointment.
I grew up in the old church..latin masses..no meat on Friday..our nuns determined to turn all of us
into nuns and priests..."soon gave up on me around
6th grade..!"
My favorite, Pope John XXIII brought us Vatican II and with it many needed changes..I guess I was hoping a new pope would continue to bring us into the light...I hope in my lifetime I can at least see
Woman become Deacons and Priest be allowed to marry.
Well maybe next time!!!
Bless you, GiGi.
Posted by: Kathy at April 19, 2005 05:27 PMNice posts. You're not alone in your misgivings. I have trouble with the notion that birth control is bad, but child molestation is ok.
But then again, I'm an 'apostate/'
Posted by: Dan at April 20, 2005 10:21 AM