POPE BENEDICT XVI Raises His Arms on the Balcony of St
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www.archden.org 105 Years of Service to the Gospel Volume LXXXI – No. 16 APRIL 27, 2005 HABEMUS PAPAM SPECIAL RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PHOTO BY JAMES BACA/DCR STUDENTS FROM THE SPECIAL RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM assist Father Roland Freeman during the 32nd annual Archbishop’s Mass for the pro- gram on April 24. Special students shine at joyous, heartwarming Mass PAGE 11 Catholic home shared by able-bodied, developmentally disabled turns 20 PAGE 10 RESPECT LIFE CNS PHOTO BY NANCY WIECHEC Archbishop POPE BENEDICT XVI raises his arms on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica April 19 after being announced as the new pope elected by the world’s cardinals. Chaput receives award for POPE BENEDICT XVI JANET SMITH Pope Benedict New pontiff Priest ordained May 7 program ‘courageous XVI formally brings own deacon by Biography to focus on defense’ of begins charism to Cardinal of former Cardinal Joseph themes of life ministry as papacy, Ratzinger recalls ‘Gospel of Life’ head of Church cardinals say memories Ratzinger PAGE 12 PAGE 12 PAGE 2 PAGE 8 PAGE 3 PAGE 14 ARCHBISHOP’S COLUMN BULLETIN BOARD ELECTION OF POPE BENEDICT XVI Healing Services, Tastes of the Continents Benefit; Health Fair; ‘A MOMENT OF GRACE’ Natural Family Planning Classes; Pilgrimages PAGE 17 PAGE 2 2 l POPE BENEDICT XVI APRIL 27, 2005 l DENVER CATHOLIC REGISTER Left: CROWDS WAVE and take pictures of Pope Benedict XVI as ARCHBISHOP’S COLUMN he greeted them after MOST REV. his April 24 inaugural Mass in St. Peter’s Square. The Mass, at- CHARLES J. CHAPUT tended by about 350,000 people, O.F.M. CAP. marked the formal start of Pope Benedict’s papacy. Election of Benedict XVI Below: ITALIAN CARDINAL ANGELO ‘a moment of grace’ SODANO kisses the ring of Pope Benedict XVI during the pope’s Pontiff knows the soul of the world depends inaugural Mass in St. on the Church’s faithful witness Peter’s Square April 24. The Mass, attended Moments after the Holy See announced the election of Pope by about 350,000 peo- Benedict XVI last week, a friend of mine quipped that “Some folks ple, marks the formal will think that God isn’t a very good listener” because He had ig- start of Pope nored — yet again — the advice of most of the American media. Benedict’s papacy. Despite days of televised counsel from media experts about how the Church needs to change her teachings on a wide range of issues, the cardinals, many of them from the Third World, select- Pope Benedict XVI formally ed Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger in near-record time. At the archdiocesan Pastoral Center, dozens of people were glued to portable TVs they had brought into the office for the oc- begins ministry as head of Church casion. The cheering broke out as soon as Cardinal Ratzinger’s name became public. Anyone who knows the man and his work 350,000 people ing him that Jesus has entrusted understands that Benedict XVI is a great gift to the Church — a him with taking up the ministry leader of simplicity, humility, gentleness and warmth. The reason attend outdoor Mass of St. Peter to shepherd Christ’s those who oppose authentic Catholic teaching resent him is not flock. because he’s harsh — he is exactly the opposite — but because he in St. Peter’s Square Italian Cardinal Angelo has a unique serenity and courage. Sodano, Vatican secretary of Benedict XVI is not only more experienced in the life of the in- BY CINDY WOODEN state, handed Pope Benedict the tellect and Christian conscience than his critics, he’s also more fisherman’s ring, which the new faithful to the mission of the Church and more anchored in the VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In a pope placed on the ring finger of peace that comes from knowing and loving her founder — Jesus liturgy rich with symbols and his right hand. Christ. promises, Pope Benedict XVI for- Cardinal Sodano prayed that So the smearing begins. A New York Times columnist summed mally began his ministry as head “the Spirit of love” would fill the up the anger of the Disappointed last week when she wrote that, of the universal Church, and new pope with the strength and “The white smoke (of the papal election) signaled that the Vatican Catholics from around the world meekness needed to minister to thinks what it needs to bring it into modernity is the oldest pope pledged their love and obedience Christians “in the unity of com- since the 18th century: Joseph Ratzinger, a 78-year-old hide- to him. munion.” bound archconservative who ran the office that used to be called The morning of April 24, Pope In his homily, Pope Benedict the Inquisition and who once belonged to Hitler Youth.” Benedict, elected April 19, walked said, “One of the basic character- down to the tomb of the martyred istics of a shepherd must be to There’s an ingenious, almost elegant, dishonesty to that kind of CNS PHOTOS FROM REUTERS writing. It requires real skill in misrepresenting the man and mis- St. Peter in the Vatican basilica to of U.S. President George W. Bush, love the people entrusted to him, leading the reader. It also reveals more about the columnist and pay homage to the first bishop of led the five-member U.S. nation- even as he loves Christ whom he the newspaper that publishes her than either might like. Rome. al delegation. Canada’s governor serves.” But they’re hardly alone. Another prominent American colum- Then, with some 150 cardinals, general, Adrienne Clarkson, led “Loving means giving the nist said he was “petrified” by Benedict’s election. Cartoonists he processed into a sun-bathed the five-member Canadian dele- sheep what is truly good, the have had a field day over the past week engaging in anti-Church St. Peter’s Square to begin the gation. nourishment of God’s truth, of bigotry. And even our own Colorado media have repeatedly — Mass and receive the main sym- The German-born pope’s 81- God’s word, the nourishment of and wrongly — described the Holy Father as a “hardliner,” as if bols of his office: the fisherman’s year old brother, Father Georg his presence which he gives us in living and defending what the Catholic faith teaches is somehow ring and the pallium. Ratzinger, was seated in the front the Blessed Sacrament,” he said. fundamentalist. “At this moment, weak servant row by the altar, not far from The new pope asked for the One of the lessons from last year that too many American of God that I am, I must assume German Chancellor Gerhard prayers of the entire Church that Catholics still don’t want to face is that it’s OK to be Catholic in this enormous task, which truly Schroeder and President Horst he would grow in his love for the today’s public square as long as we don’t try to live our beliefs too exceeds all human capacity,” Koehler. Lord and for the members of the seriously; as long as we’re suitably embarrassed by all those Pope Benedict said in his homily. The crowd was dotted by faith- Church and prayers that he “primitive” Catholic teachings; as long as we shut up about abor- The 78-year-old pope said he ful waving flags, especially would be strong in the face of tion and other sensitive moral issues and allow ourselves to be tu- would rely on the prayers of all German flags. those who threaten the Church. tored in the ways of “polite” secular culture by experts who have Catholics and the grace of God. Italian President Carlo Azeglio “Let us pray for one another, little or no respect for the Christian faith that guides our lives. “I do not have to carry alone Ciampi, King Juan Carlos of Spain that the Lord will carry us and The reason Pope Benedict XVI will get no media honeymoon is what in truth I could never carry and Britain’s Prince Philip were that we will learn to carry one an- simple. It’s the same reason he instantly won the hearts of com- alone,” he said. seated alongside the altar. other,” he said. mitted Catholics, worried the lukewarm and angered the proud The new pope said his inaugu- Religious calendars created His homily repeatedly was in- and disaffected. He actually believes that what Jesus Christ and ral Mass was not the moment to some complications for some terrupted by applause, and Pope His Church teach is true, and that the soul of the world depends present “a program of gover- delegations. Israel was represent- Benedict received a long ovation on the Church’s faithful witness. nance,” but rather a time to ed by its ambassador to the when he finished. As one columnist bitterly observed, “the cafeteria is now promise to try be a good shep- Vatican, although the inaugura- After he received the symbols closed.” Of course, for believers, it was never open. herd to Christ’s flock, to rescue tion took place on the first full of his office, Pope Benedict re- In the homily for his inaugural Mass, echoing the hope of his those who are lost, to help the day of the weeklong Passover ob- ceived the act of obedience of his great predecessor and friend, Pope Benedict XVI reminded us poor and to build unity among all servance. Sixteen Orthodox new flock, symbolized by 12 peo- that “the Church is alive. And the Church is young. She holds believers in Christ.