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'Habemus papam'
By Robert Delaney
Of The Michigan Catholic
Published April 20, 2005
DETROIT — News of the election of German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, 78, as Benedict XVI Tuesday was quickly greeted with praise from priests, prelates and others in metropolitan Detroit.
"He is obviously someone who has served the Church long and well. His depth of theology and care for the Church genuinely bodes well for the Church," said Auxiliary Bishop Walter Hurley, who like many local clergy, was attending the funeral of Fr. John West when the new pope was announced from Rome.
The white smoke from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel indicating the cardinals had reached the two-thirds plus one majority needed to elect a pope was sighted shortly before noon, Detroit time. The former Cardinal Ratzinger then appeared at the central window of St. Peter's Basilica less than an hour later, and announced his choice for his new name as pontiff.
"After the great John Paul II, the cardinals elected me, a simple, humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord," Pope Benedict said, adding, "I am consoled by the fact that the Lord can work and act even through insufficient instruments, and I especially entrust myself to your prayers."
"In the joy of the risen Lord, and trusting in his permanent help, we go forward. The Lord will help us, and Mary His most holy mother is on our side. Thank you," he said, and gave his blessing to the city of Rome and to the world.
He is to be installed this Sunday, April 24.
From Rome, Detroit Cardinal Adam Maida, said, "The experience of participating in the conclave was deeply spiritual; you could sense the movement of the Holy Spirit among us as we came to a strong consensus in favor of Cardinal Ratzinger, our new Holy Father."
Cardinal Maida praised the new pope as a "brilliant theologian" with experience as head of a large diocese when he was archbishop of Munich.
"He understands the needs of the Church throughout the world, and will be a voice of continuity, building on the many themes and teachings of his predecessor, Pope John Paul II," the cardinal continued.
He added that he is confident "Pope Benedict XVI will continue to teach and inspire us in the ways of the new evangelization."
Locally, Fr. Robert McClory, chancellor of the Archdiocese of Detroit, said Cardinal Ratzinger had been "an intellectual and spiritual soul mate of the late Holy Father."
"He is a person who will be able to carry on the legacy of John Paul II," Fr. McClory said.
Fr. Ronald Browne, pastor of Sr. Gerald Parish in Farmington, said he was very pleased with the prospect that Pope Benedict XVI would carry on the policies of his predecessor: "He knew what was in John Paul II's heart and mind."
Even the new pope's choice of a name indicates that intention, Fr. Browne continued, "because Benedict XV followed a great pope, St. Pius X."
Fr. Edward Vilkauskas, CSSp, pastor of St. Mary Parish in Detroit's Greektown area, said they found out about the election of Pope Benedict XVI during their 12:15 Mass, and were even able to pray for him by name in the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
"We were literally praying at the time," Fr. Vikauskas said. "We were able to fit his name in the Mass."
Commonly known as Old St. Mary's, St. Mary Parish was founded by German-speaking Catholics in 1835. Although not of German descent himself like most of the Holy Ghost Fathers who preceded him as pastor, Fr. Vilkauskas praised Cardinal Ratzinger as a highly qualified candidate who might have appealed to the conclave for the sake of continuity.
"He's an extraordinary intellectual and theologian, so that's to his credit," said Fr. Vilkauskas. "My own thought was that they wanted someone who could take on the reins quickly and easily. He's multilingual, so he will be able to reach out to people. There are a lot of qualities there."
Precious Blood Fr. Clarence Williams, director of Black Catholic Ministry for the Archdiocese of Detroit, said the speed with which the College of Cardinals made the selection – on the second day of their conclave – showed a great deal of unity among their members, and he added that he expects the election of the first German pope since the 11th century would be very important for Americans of German descent.
"German-Americans are the largest white ethnic group in the country, but they haven't had a lot to boast about over the last century, what with two world wars," Fr. Williams said, adding, "I believe this will change the American Church."
The news certainly went over well with some native Germans serving the Church locally. "I screamed!" said Sr. Stella Stamm, a sister of the Holy Cross from Arnsberg, Germany, who has been in the United States just three months.
"I'm really happy, and think it's great. I'm sure he will go further in the same way as Pope John Paul II, and will (stand up) for the true faith of the Church," said Sr. Stamm, who lives with other sisters of her order in the convent at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Grotto) Parish in northeast Detroit.
Fr. Wolfgang Seitz, a member of the Canons Regular of the Holy Cross, and originally from near Ulm, Germany, said he was happy the Catholic Church in Germany was able to give the universal Church a pope.
"Nationality is not so important as it is that it was the man God wanted chosen, but I'm happy it was a German," said Fr. Seitz, who has been in the United States for more than two years. He and other priests of his order conduct retreats all over the United States, operating out of their house in Grosse Pointe.
Anna Gerhardt, president of the Carpathia Club of Detroit, a local German society based in Sterling Heights, said the news of Cardinal Ratzinger's election "spread like wildfire in the whole community."
"We are very happy, very proud and excited. You know, he came from very humble beginnings only about 20 kilometers from where I grew up. My heart was just jumping, and my husband – who is a Lutheran – he's happy too," said Gerhardt, a member of St. Isidore Parish in Macomb Township.
The selection of Cardinal Ratzinger also drew praise from a prominent local Lutheran clergyman of German descent. "I think he will make a good transition pope," said the Rev. David Eberhard, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in downtown Detroit.
"He may not have the charisma that Pope John Paul II had, but I believe he has the administrative ability and the ability to pull people together," he continued.
Pastor Eberhard echoed Fr. Browne's comments about the choice of the name Benedict indicating he saw himself following in the wake of a great figure.
But German heritage was not a prerequisite for welcoming the new pope. Fr. Benjamin Kosnac, a native of Slovakia and pastor of SS. Cyril & Methodius Parish in Sterling Heights, praised Pope Benedict as "a man who understands the faith and knows how to write about it."
He said he believes the new pope's pontificate will be marked by faithfulness to the Gospel.
In Lansing, Michigan Catholic Conference President and Chief Executive Officer Sr. Monica Kostielney, RSM, said the MCC "rejoices and welcomes" the election of the new pope. "We pause to celebrate and give thanks for the power and presence of the Holy Spirit that worked throughout this papal election," she said.
"Pope Benedict XVI's writings have been helpful toward an understanding of the biblical basis for justice," Sr. Kostielney continued, referring to a homily he gave about the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah. The MCC is the official public policy voice of all seven Michigan dioceses.
Among the duties of Pope Benedict XVI is to accept or decline letters of resignation from bishops who have reached 75 years of age. Among them are Cardinal Adam Maida and Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Gumbleton, both of whom submitted their resignations to the Holy See in March. Pope John Paul II did not respond to the letters before his death, meaning that duty falls to the new pope.
Michigan Catholic reporter Joe Kohn and John Thavis of Catholic News Service contributed to this story.
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