Editor:
I read your article on the web, “Rethink Benedict.” Very opinionated and very wrong.
You didn’t have to say that you weren’t a Catholic. It was written throughout.
The polls don’t make the faith or the Word of God. The polls don’t guide the Church or the pope, and the polls won’t guide the future of Catholicism. Christ will.I know that you scoff at that, but political trendiness is not exactly an integral ingredient of Catholic thought or teaching.
The Church is not a democracy that votes on its doctrines, rituals or edicts. It’s a religion that Catholics believe was given to us by Christ. You may not agree, of course, but Catholics do believe and Catholics will rally around Benedict despite your personal angst or politics.
Non-Catholic writers often fall into the trap of judgment based upon their own collection of uninformed “feelings” or “perceptions” that cause Catholic believers to chuckle inside. No insult intended, but these writers or journalists consistently fumble and trip just outside the “edge” of belief.
They often trivialize (as you did) what seems so “important” to themselves and their own politics and positions that are capsulated into this exact moment in time.
It’s simple-minded and childishly silly. Sorry to be so blunt.
You summed up your remarks, “If dramatic changes aren’t made soon, the Catholic Church will continue to see the numbers of their followers dwindle with good reason.”
In the reign of Pope John Paul II, the Catholic Church grew from 750 million to 1.2 billion. That ain’t “dwindle,” Steve.
The plazas and churches all over the world were filled with millions of faithful during this historic death, funeral, election and transition. That ain’t “dwindle” either.
The mass media worldwide was transfixed on Rome with an intense interest that no other faith on Earth could command even if it tried, and that ain’t “dwindle,” either.
Pope Benedict’s priorities include growth and Christian unity. To be honest with yourself and with me, Steve, time will judge. Not you nor I. Keep trying.
John McCuen
Cape Coral, Fla.
Editor:
In your article titled Quick rethink the choice of Benedict you pointed out the fact that “Joseph Ratzinger, when he was 14, was a member of Hitler’s Youth and a prisoner of war during World War II.”
What you failed to point out or did not realize was that being a part of the Hitler’s Youth was mandatory not optional.
Joseph Ratzinger had no choice in the matter he was forced to join the Hitler’s Youth.
A very insulted Protestant,
Jonathan Tristan Tubbesing