From Powerline:
Professor Bainbridge shows that "the new Pope demonstrably recognizes that there is legitimate room for disagreement on how one operationalizes all but the most basic Church teachings, such as the 'gospel of life,' and that even there, Catholics may, in appropriate instances, vote for politicians who do not share the Church's view on that central tenet." The real beef with Ratzinger, then, isn't that he's a threat to liberal democracy; it's the fact that he agrees with the substantive tenets of his religion, including those regarding controversial social issues, and takes them seriously. Like it or not, this Pope is Catholic.
From Sullivan:
The choice of Ratzinger will undoubtedly set back attempts at ecumenical cooperation. Remember that Ratzinger has publicly opposed the entry of Turkey into the European Union. Heathens are to be kept out.
This was not an act of continuity. There is simply no other figure more extreme than the new Pope on the issues that divide the Church. No one. He raised the stakes even further by his extraordinarily bold homily at the beginning of the conclave, where he all but declared a war on modernity, liberalism (meaning modern liberal democracy of all stripes) and freedom of thought and conscience. And the speed of the decision must be interpreted as an enthusiastic endoprsement of his views. What this says to American Catholics is quite striking: it's not just a disagreement, it's a full-scale assault.
There's lots more on Sullivan's site. He seems very upset. I wish that Ratzinger were more socially liberal, but I think he's being a bit too strident. Alright, he's being ridiculous; a whole string of 'end of the world' type rants.
I suppose the cardinals have doomed American Catholics to a couple years of objecting strenuously to just about everything: but that's about it.
Article comments
1 - lono
Well, add me to the list of dissenters. Interestingly we posted at the damn near same moment. I think this Pope is going to take the church even further backwards, which is no small accomplishment. This Pope will not be about loving the lord or being a good person and serving the lord. This Pope will be about...
never mind, I am getting angry again. Read about it here.
2 - urthshu
The way I'm seeing it, the Church decided they needed someone who was more a hard-boiled realist in the geopolitical arena than simply a shepherd of the faithful.
3 - WTF
"I think this Pope is going to take the church even further backwards, which is no small accomplishment." -- Lono
The Pope sets the standard, within the standard. A benchmark has been established for sometime now. No surprise there. I do not see the selection as anything short of status quo. Live with it, millions of Catholics will have to. If you're not Catholic, what's the problem? Are those in disagreement aspiring to go Universal, but suddenly faced with doubt?
Relax, tomorrow just another Godless day, and what the Catholic church does should not concern you. That the Pope is a hardliner should not bother you, but it does. The wonder of it all!
Maybe (and I'm not Catholic) the American Catholics are out of step, and desire positional power which they, once again, have not attained.
WTF
4 - Eric Olsen
thanks L, nice job. I still think the new guy looks like Uncle Fester
5 - Leoniceno
Heh, he kind of does, doesn't he? Anyway, I kind of agree with those who say we should give him a little while.
6 - Eric Olsen
to do the lightbulb trick?
7 - Evan
I don't know, he reminds of Anthony Hopkins playing Hannibal Lectar. That's a bit scary isn't it?
8 - Matt
He won't be around too long, based on age/health history. He's a stop gap, although I'm not sure the Cardinal's are interested in a progressive Pontiff the next time, either.
9 - Thad Anderson
There's something odd about the combination of the headline and photo shown here
10 - Leoniceno
Heh heh..he looks like he's calling upon the hounds of hell to come forth and smite Kerry's presidential campaign!
In that photo he looks like Emperor Palpatine.