honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, April 20, 2005

Isles' faithful mixed on conservative's election

 •  Pontiff likely to stay course
 •  Nazi experience left indelible imprint on new pope
 •  Why the name Benedict was chosen
 •  The life of Pope Benedict XVI

By Mary Kaye Ritz
Advertiser Religion & Ethics Writer

As the white smoke rose early yesterday, there was a joyous noise ringing across the globe to signal a new pope, including pealing of the bells at Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Kalihi.

But once the smoke cleared to show the choice was Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the reaction in Hawai'i ranged from guarded optimism to dismay.

Described as "papal enforcer" for his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, Ratzinger was seen as a staunch traditionalist — without his boss's charm. Several leaders of the Hawai'i diocese were suprised by the choice, mostly because the front-runner is often not chosen.

"I think it's a wise choice, and some people are going to be surprised to hear me say that," said outspoken Maryknoll nun Sister Joan Chatfield. "I just heard he was called 'the papal rottweiler.' But I suspect he realizes what he had to do as policeman he won't be able to do as CEO."

Chatfield met Ratzinger several times in Rome and describes him as "a good listener."

"I think he likes being visible. He's a very public man," she said. "You might have a different opinion if you work with him, but it seemed he liked the flamboyance of being around (people)."

The diocesan theologian, the Rev. Marc Alexander, has also met the new pope and said he is "more personable than people would expect."

What parishioners say

Ivan Lui-Kwan was surprised to hear Ratzinger was chosen.

"There are forces in the church that wanted change," the former city official said as he made his way to noon Mass at the Cathedral. "I was hoping there would be a greater openness to reflect the general concerns of the American people who were Catholic."

Those concerns have included the church's restrictions on birth control and divorce, as well as the requirement that priests be male, unmarried and celibate.

At St. Patrick's in Kaimuki, the entire school gathered for a special Mass of thanksgiving yesterday morning, where girls in plaid uniforms and boys in green polo shirts heard the Rev. Lane Akiona offer prayers for the new pope. Afterward, Andy Calunod remarked how quickly the papal proceedings went.

"It was fast," said the deacon in training. "It shows they were thinking about consistency."

Lleander Jung, another parishioner, applauded the choice of a conservative who will follow the lead of John Paul II.

"Moral relativism is so prevalent that we really need to get back to the basic church teaching," Jung said. "There should not be compromises."

But if Ratzinger holds true to his reputation as a hard-liner on church doctrine, Alvin Ornellas, 88, of Wailuku, Maui, might find himself disappointed.

"We had a good pope. Most everybody thought (John Paul II) was a saint, but I would like to see some changes," Ornellas said, who said he believes priests should be allowed to marry, a notion Ratzinger has opposed.

Lu Duval of Niumalu, Kaua'i, who attends Immaculate Conception Church, welcomed the news of Ratzinger's selection: "He will carry on the mission of Pope John Paul II. He's not going to cave in to the permissiveness of the modern world."

Pauline Ventura of Wailua, Kaua'i, who attends St. Catherine's Church in Kapa'a, said she was hoping for someone "more open to 2005 ideas. ... I would have probably hoped for someone from Africa or even Latin America."

Maile Mattos, 72, of St. Joseph Church in Hilo, said it was reassuring that the new pope has a reputation as a conservative. However, Mattos said she hopes the pontiff will ease the shortage of priests, and consider expanding the role of women in the church.

What clergy say

Diocesan administrator the Very Rev. Tom Gross said, "We certainly know how he's going to lead. It'll be an easy transition in that sense."

Gross said he received calls and e-mails from Catholics surprised by the choice, but he has hope and supports the "holy father."

Brother Greg O'Donnell, president of Damien High, was less optimistic.

"Certainly (the choice of Ratzinger) is not a way of addressing major issues," he said. "With two-thirds of the votes, that quickly, that's called a mandate. ... Usually when someone is that far to the right or left, he's unelectable. ... I don't understand it."

O'Donnell suspected that when it comes to issues like married priests and the ordination of women, "he'll be keeping (those) topics off the table."

O'Donnell also worried that Ratzinger will not "open things up. ... (But) we have to give him the opportunity. You can't judge going in."

The Rev. Joseph Grimaldi was surprised at Ratzinger's election, but had words of comfort for the disappointed: "Sunday's Gospel says, 'Do not let your hearts be troubled.' I really do firmly believe in the spirit. The spirit does wonderful things, even when we least expect it."

Grimaldi also praised the new pope's abilities.

"Benedict XVI is a very sharp theologian, certainly someone very much aware of documents of Vatican II," Grimaldi said, referring the Second Vatican Council of the 1960s, which liberalized the Catholic church in many ways. "I would say let's wait and see. He's a holy man; we have to take in mind the spirit works wherever it will."

John Paul II was known as a traveling pope, Maryknoll's Sister Chatfield noted. A global pope was important then, she said, but a pope who mostly stays in Rome may make for a good follow-up.

"It seems logical it would be a good time to get the house in order," she said. "Even though (Benedict XVI) got a reputation for being controversial, I don't think it's all downhill.

"Pessimism is one of the heresies. He's 78. He can't be pope for 25 years."

Staff writers Christie Wilson, Jan TenBruggencate and Kevin Dayton contributed to this report. Reach Mary Kaye Ritz at mritz@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8035.