Papal Opinion

[Mobius]

So what do you guys think of Cardinal Ratzinger/His Holiness Pope Benedict?

[On the Road]

1. I Think the Jury's Still Out

I suspect he will continue John Paul's drift back toward more conservative church doctrine, which will enrage a lot of people, in some cases justly so. But he'll also become accepted and revered over time. Besides, the idea of a Bavarian pope is appealing.

[JohnnyBoots]

2. He likes to meddle in politics, and push his right wing agenda

I was raised Catholic, but he just seems evil to me. No offense intended, but that is my opinion.

[Mobius]

3. you sure didnt offend me

he was the Pope's head of the modern sanitized Inquisition, which actually stll exists. Scary huh?

[Deja Q]

4. Benedict Arnold the Smeghead? Don't ask me.

[tjwmason]

5. He will surprise both his former friends and former opponents

The suggestion that he is going to push right-wing agenda is palpably absurd. He considers each issue in turn, and on the basis of his principles - this means that for much of the time he will appear right-wing and for much of the time will appear left-wing.

Note the strong and fervent opposition to the invasion of Iraq which flowed from pretty much the whole of the Church's leadership. Note the position which the Church takes on issues of social justice. In both cases the Church sits firmly alongside the political left.

On the other hand, there will be a continuation of the firm line taken in opposition to contraceptives, gay-marriage, and a whole host of other social issues. In this case, he will appear to be lined up with the political right.

He is, of course, neither left nor right - and the attempt to position him on a spectrum of American politics is (quite frankly ridiculous).

[scarlet_owl]

6. As a Catholic, I think they could have done better.

He was obviously not my first choice.

[Mobius]

7. eeeeeeeek