More than a week has passed since Pope Benedict XVI was chosen as leader of the Roman Catholic Church, but concerns regarding his well-known conservative policies remain.
While serving as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany took an unwavering stance on many theological issues and became known as a hard-line defender of church doctrine.
In a time when many Catholics favor more open interpretations of faith and religion, his selection has created some discord. Pope Benedict's views on many hot-button issues have created somewhat of a division among Catholics, he said.
The result has been polarizing
at least in the initial response said the Rev. Martin Holler, pastor of Christ the King University Parish, 75 Stewart St.
Katie Spotts, an Ohio University freshman, was surprised that such a conservative candidate was chosen.
It's interesting that the (Catholic Church) is going even more conservative than Pope John Paul II (especially) in this day and age when most Catholics are calling for more reform and to be a little more open
she said.
George Weckman, an OU professor of classics and world religion, shared similar sentiments.
Like many Americans
I wish there was a little more give and take
he said, although he wasn't surprised that a conservative cardinal was chosen as Pope John Paul II's successor.
He had been known as a rather rigid authoritarian conservative figure
and of course in many ways Paul was too
so in many ways we just kind of have more of the same.
Weckman also said the choice was even more obvious when considering that Cardinal Ratzinger was John Paul II's key theological adviser and was considered by many to be his right-hand man.
The assistant to the previous pope is the natural person to put in
he said.
Megan Lorenz, a freshman at OU, thought that the natural choice was also a good one.
John Paul was a good leader
and having a guy who's just like him is good
she said. It would be hard on people to completely change the direction of the papacy.
Lorenz, however, didn't agree with Pope Benedict's conservative stance on many issues, such as gay rights.
Although Holler does admit that Pope Benedict XVI has a very clear conservative track record, he also suggested that it might not represent the whole picture.
The people who know him claim that there is much more to the pope than what his previous actions have suggested, Holler said.
But in the end, only time will tell whether Pope Benedict XVI follows through on his hard-line stance.
We need to give the process a chance
