Editor's Desk: A Humble Worker

By Michael F. Flach
Herald Editor
(From the issue of 4/28/05)

The Church has experienced a multitude of emotions during this Easter season. We suffered with Pope John Paul II during the last stages of his life as his health grew progressively worse. We mourned his death on April 2, yet celebrated his glorious life as a gift to the world. Now we rejoice again with last week’s announcement that Pope Benedict XVI, "a simple, humble worker," has joined the long list of successors to St. Peter.

The news was greeted with great optimism and joy. Bishop Paul S. Loverde offered the new Holy Father the support of our prayer, loyalty and fidelity of the Church in Arlington "We pray that he will lead us into the way of holiness and truth," said the bishop, who celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving on April 20 at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More.

"Today is a day filled with hope and joy as the world has learned of the election of the new Holy Father of the Catholic Church," said Judie Brown, president of American Life League. "While this historic day marks the beginning of a new pontificate, the steadfast traditions and teachings of the Catholic Church are forever the same.

Pope Benedict begins the monumental task of leading the Catholic faithful worldwide, Brown said. "While many in the media and public have speculated on the idea that the successor of Pope John Paul II should consider changes in some foundational teachings of the Catholic Church, we are assured that the Holy Spirit will lead Pope Benedict XVI in truth, faith, and love."

"God always blesses His Church with the type of leader it needs at each time in history," said Father Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life.

Pope Benedict’s former role as the head of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith may seem a far cry from what he now has to do as the Universal Pastor of the Church, Father Pavone said. "Some see enforcing doctrinal orthodoxy as perhaps in tension with reaching out, as the Vicar of Christ, to unite and welcome all humanity into the arms of the loving Savior.

"But the roles are closer to each other than one may think. In fact, they are aspects of one another, because compassion is not opposed to truth, nor is truth opposed to compassion. It is only when one presents the truth, in all its fullness, vigor, and clarity, that one can be pastoral.

"We at Priests for Life rejoice in the election of Pope Benedict XVI," Father Pavone said. "He will be a blessing for the pro-life movement, and for all people who find comfort that there is such a thing as truth, particularly the truth that life is sacred."

Congressman Chris Smith from New Jersey expressed his confidence that Pope Benedict will be a good shepherd for the Church and that he will continue the many compassionate and humanitarian works of Pope John Paul the Great. "Catholics and believers of all faiths look to him to further the culture of life, advance world peace and serve as a constant moral force in a troubled world," Smith said.

John Paul II’s pontificate forever changed the way the world looks at the Church and the successor to St. Peter. Let us stand united in prayer behind our new shepherd as he assumes the awesome responsibility bestowed upon him by the Holy Spirit. — M.F.F.

Copyright ©2005 Arlington Catholic Herald.  All rights reserved.