The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : New Pope

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Friday, Apr 22, 2005

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Opinion - Letters to the Editor

New Pope

The Roman Catholics have a new Pope. Joseph Ratzinger, known for his conservative and uncompromising views, is certain to carry forward the good work done by John Paul II.

Jose Brinner,
Thiruvananthapuram

The Catholic Church has in record time identified a worthy successor to Pope John Paul II. It shows that the cardinals were serious about the credentials of Pope Benedict XVI to guide and lead the Church without any deviation from the conservative path set by his predecessor. It was a great surprise to many that this conservative theologian was elected Pope. But it is not so for those who believe that it is the Holy Spirit that guides the election of the Pontiff.

Tharcius S. Fernando,
Chennai

The election of Cardinal Ratzinger only reaffirms the rigidity of the Church. He is a known critic of liberal reforms, homosexuality and birth control. He has also criticised the view that other religions can lead to salvation and has advocated the need for a purer Church divested of all dissenting elements.

In this day and age when religion has to keep pace with the ever-changing realities of life, the election of an anti-modernist Pope reopens the debate on whether religion holds the human race back or pushes it ahead spiritually.

Vasundhara Sirnate,
Berkeley, California

The new Pope is a known conservative and a staunch believer in the exclusivist philosophy of the Church which still holds dear the opinion that salvation is possible only through the Roman Catholic Church. The new Pope will have to usher in values of religious tolerance if he is to bring greater harmony between the Catholic Church and other denominations of Christianity, and other religions as well.

Avuthu Srihari,
Secunderabad

Any postulate that claims that it is the life, it is the way, and no man cometh unto the truth but through it, is based on a false premise. The late Chandrashekhara Bharathi, Sankaracharya of Sringeri, was asked once by a Westerner how she could become a Hindu. He replied that she could do so by being a good Christian.

S. Suchindranath Aiyer,
Bangalore

Joseph Ratzinger has been a Vatican insider for over 20 years and is the supposed prompter of most of John Paul II's decrees. His elevation as Pope signals that the Church may slide deeper into obduracy.

Sham Sankar,

Thiruvananthapuram

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