“Pope Benedict XVI will undoubtedly continue the same course followed by John Paul II to take still further forward the innovations of Vatican Council II, and to work for the Church at the service of the world”, declare the Dutch bishops in expressing their warm congratulations for the election of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as pope. The new pope, continue the bishops, “is a great theologian and as such played a major role in Vatican Council II”. A further source of joy is also expressed for the speed with which the College of Cardinals came to a decision: the Dutch bishops recognize this as “a sign of great internal unity”.
