NEWS : Ranting over Ratzinger!
As the new pope emerged donning a scarlet mantle on top of newly tailored white robes from a balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, congratulations poured in from around the world but there was also that feeling of DISSENT for many people. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, a German-born cardinal and Vatican’s so-called “Guardian of Religious Orthodoxy”, became the new pontiff after passing the threshold of a two-thirds majority by one of the shortest conclave ever in the history of ‘Papal Elections’. He chose the name Pope Benedict XVI in a bid to soften his image as a doctrinal hard-liner because Benedict XV was credited to have settled the animosity between traditionalists and modernists during the early times.
As head of the powerful Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (also known as the evolution of the notorious Inquisition), Ratzinger disciplined dissidents, backed Pope John Paul II in resisting reforms sought by liberals and urged caution in pursuing relations with other Christian denominations. He questioned Turkey’s bid for membership in the European Union opining the mostly Muslim country to be “incompatible with European culture”. Everyone knows him as a sharp man with rigid traditional views on ideologies, morality, and even sexuality. He is opposed to liberal theology, ordination of women, genetic cloning, use of contraception, and even ideologies such as Feminism, Marxism, and Relativism. He considers other sects as “dangers to the Christian faith”, a clear defiance to Pope John Paul II’s rather unprejudiced attitude towards other religion especially Islam. Ratzinger is clearly a HYPERCONSERVATIST to be reckoned with!
Then again, come to think of it, the Christian Church has to reinforce its hold on traditional values as the modern times present other clear alternatives to the already tainted Catholic faith. Maybe, just maybe, Ratzinger’s rise to power is in order as the Vatican needs a CONTROLLING figure who will re-establish the dominance of Catholic faith throughout the world. Still, his mere presence “will put the brakes on all progressive movements in the church” further motivating secularization and strong opposition.
"I’m worried, He’s German. He’s cold." (an Italian commentary)
