|
ALL ON AN APRIL EVENING
POPE BENEDICT GREETS THE WORLD
Extract from Bishop Patrick's letter to the diocese
"We are overjoyed and join with the Church throughout the world, in celebrating the election of our new Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI. In welcoming him we must not forget, however, to pray for him... In Benedict XVI, we truly have "a simple and humble servant in the vineyard of the Lord". May God bless and strengthen him in the awesome task He has placed on his shoulders."
First Reactions
What a wonderful surprise! He truly is a humble, loyal worker in God's vineyard. Teresa Carradice - Lancaster
At the funeral he seemed to have the aura of a Pope in waiting. Peter Reed - Preston
Forget the Left / Right Politics, he will serve the whole Church. Terry Waiting, Barrow in Furness
One word - disappointment. Bob Freeborough - Morecambe
He has a clear vision of the beauty of faith, Nick Donnelly, Barrow.
He may surprise us. Let's see. - Georgina Protheroe Beynon, Seascale
I am very disappointed. I cannot see Pope Benedict allowing condoms to be used as a barrier to stem the spread of disease in the third world. Also it is unlikely that we will see the introduction of married and female priests. Alan Morgan - Preston
Welcome Pope Benedict, you can be assured of my prayers and my support because truth is not relative, no matter how much we wish it were so"Celia Ryan - Rockville, Maryland, U.S.A
Despite him being a very holy and gifted man, I think we need someone who will walk with people and be vulnerable with them - perhaps he will! Fr Steve Pearson - Preston
I only knew the name of one foreign Cardinal and that was because of his reputation as a authoritarian traditionalist. When those curtains dramatically opened to reveal the man himself I just gasped. - Peter Donaghy, Newcastle upon Tyne.
Last week at Mass we, the Church, prayed for the Holy Spirit to guide the Cardinals. A man has stepped into the fisherman's shoes, let's all walk with him every step of the way.- Cath Cavanagh, Blackpool
I think we are in for a pleasant surprise with our new Pope. Fr Kevan Dorgan - Carlisle
|
