Germany, joy and honour” “

A joy and an honour for all Germans: these are the most common feelings expressed by the highest civil and religious authorities of Germany on hearing the news that their distinguished compatriot, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, had been elected Pope by the 115 cardinals of all continents. Here are some immediate reactions. The good wishes of the German bishops. “We wish him the plenitude of the gifts of the Holy Spirit to lead the Church at the heart of the contemporary world”, said Cardinal Karl Lehmann, president of the German Bishops’ Conference, speaking in Rome. “The 115 members of the Conclave from all continents have chosen in the dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, a churchman who is for them the living symbol of the continuous witness of the Church, sustained by Holy Scripture and by the ecclesiastical tradition of all the centuries, a courageous guarantor of the solidity of the faith in spite of all the transformations, a gifted theologian, known throughout the world for decades, and one of the closest aides of John Paul II, who, just a few days before his death, in what was to be their last meeting, had thanked him for his valuable contribution”. Lehmann recalled the work performed by Cardinal Ratzinger as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, declaring that he had “discharged one of the most delicate tasks, namely, maintaining intact the substance of the Catholic faith in the midst of all the spiritual, social and theological changes of our time and also preserving it amid much opposition. It goes almost without saying that, in spite of the current pluralism of opinions, even in the Church itself, not everyone was able or willing to follow him. But he obtained everywhere, even among his opponents, respect for his theological merits and recognition of his courage or anticonformism in dialogue and discussion with the forces of the contemporary world”. “There cannot be any doubt in principle – continued Lehmann – about his attitude towards the ecumenical efforts and the discussions with the Reformed Churches and with the Oriental Churches. His many publications spanning fifty years are a demonstration of that”. “It is a great good fortune – Lehmann concluded – that almost sixty years after the end of the Second World War – we especially think of the day of the German capitulation (8 May) – a German cardinal has been elected to the highest office of the Church. Many never thought such a thing could possibly happen after the horrible, and still perceptible, events that took place in Germany in the 20th century. For this reason, his election is also an important sign of the final return of Germany to the world community of peoples, which is also reflected in the Catholic Church. We wish to thank with all our heart the cardinal electors also for this important sign. This will be a source of encouragement to our country from many points of view”. Appointment at WYD. “We anxiously await – says Heiner Koch, general secretary of the 20th World Youth Day (WYD) 2005 – the solemn initiation of the universal pastor of the Church. A few days later we shall be in Rome to speak with the Holy Father and with the Pontifical Council for the Laity about the further preparations for the 20th WYD. We are delighted by the prospect of the forthcoming visit of the Pope [to Cologne], in connection with WYD. The Holy Father can count on our prayers. We are convinced that the Pope will forge a close and deep rapport with the young”. Among the first to welcome the election of Pope Benedict XVI in Germany was also the President of the German Federal Republic Horst Köhler. “I know – he said in a letter to the new Pope – that a very concrete desire of German Catholics and of many young people is linked to the 20th WYD due to be held in the diocese of Cologne this summer. And I too would be delighted to be able to welcome you to our country in August. I wish you the courage and the strength to perform a convincing service to the faith and for the good of humanity”. Schröder, “an honour for the whole country”. “With Pope Benedict XVI a Pope has been elected who knows the universal Church as no other. He is a great theologian, esteemed throughout the world. I warmly congratulate him on behalf of the Federal government and all the citizens of his country”, declared Chancellor Gerhard Schröder in a communiqué. Expressing his joy in the election of Benedict XVI, Schröder said: “It’s a great honour for the whole of our country”. He also mentions his forthcoming meeting with the newly elected Pope, which will take place on the occasion of WYD: “I am delighted that I will be able to welcome him to Cologne for WYD in August”. As a German Catholic – says Thomas Jansen, spokesman of the ZDK ( Zentralkomitees der deutschen Katholiken) for the sector of European policy – I am enormously pleased by the surprising election of Josef Ratzinger as Pope. I am convinced that Benedict XVI, in continuity with his predecessor, will give to all of us, to our Church and to the whole of Christianity – as well as to many people – the spiritual and moral guidance of which we have an urgent need in view of the great changes taking place and the sense of disorientation and loss felt in all sectors of world society. As a European I consider the Pope’s choice of his name encouraging: it refers both to the Pope of reconciliation and peace, Benedict XV, and to St. Benedict, patron of Europe. Benedict XVI, who comes from the country of the Reformation, has it in his power to do significant things in terms of ecumenism. German Christians especially hope for initiatives in this field. The prejudices that have been formed with the passing of the years about Cardinal Josef Ratzinger as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, especially in Germany and in other Nordic countries, have always been unfounded and will be shown to be so by the appearance and action of Benedict XVI.