AUSTRALIA’S Catholic bishops have welcomed Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger’s election as Pope Benedict XVI.
Australian Catholic Bishops Conference president, Archbishop Francis Carroll of Canberra and Goulburn, speaking from Rome on April 20, the day of the announcement, said he joined with all Catholics in praying for the new Pope as he took on the awesome responsibility of leading the world’s 1 billion Catholics.
Archbishop Carroll said that as the former dean of the College of Cardinals and prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the new Pope was already a well known figure.
Archbishop Denis Hart of Melbourne said Pope Benedict has unique gifts as a theologian, author and communicator.
‘His choice of the name Benedict suggests that he brings together the spiritual and theological tradition of the Church, coupled with his gift as a commentator, to address the challenges of the people of the world at present.’
Melbourne Auxiliary Bishop Mark Coleridge, who previously worked in the Vatican Secretariat of State, warned people not to take notice of media portrayals of Pope Benedict.
‘The stereotypical image of (Cardinal) Ratzinger is absurd … and is very far from the mark,’ he said.
Archbishop Philip Wilson of Adelaide said Pope Benedict’s gentle and kind nature, coupled with his sharp intellect and experience, would help him lead the world’s Catholics into the 21st century.
Archbishop Adrian Doyle of Hobart said Pope Benedict XVI is a person of many gifts and wide experience to take the Church forward as its leader.
He encouraged Tasmanians to pray for the Pope.
