May 8, 2005

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI

The new pontiff is ‘a simple, humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord.’

I met the future Pope Benedict XVI this past December during my ad limina visit to Rome with the 20 other bishops from Region V of the United States. The normal routine of the weeklong ad limina visit allows for the bishops of a region to visit with two congregations per day. The meeting is generally conducted by the prefect of the congregation and includes the involvement of his staff. We normally hear from the prefect his perspectives on the church and have an opportunity to share our insights and ask questions. By far the most satisfying for me was the Saturday morning before we left. Then–Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, now Benedict XVI, conducted the meeting.

The cordial and engaging meeting began with personal handshakes. As he moved around the table to shake hands and say hello, I was struck both by his gentle and inviting personality and by his warmth of welcome. There was a calming effect that his presence brought to the room. This is not always the case when a leader enters. I remember thinking to myself that the vibrations were so good.

My first two hints of a good meeting were his excellent command of English (I found out later that he also speaks French, in addition to the expected German and Italian) and his respectful relationship with the staff with whom he worked. I had heard of this fine working relationship from Monsignor Thomas Herron, a priest ordained one year after me who served in the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in the 1980s and has since died of cancer.

The meeting itself revealed a man who listened carefully to the questions raised by the bishops and who actually grasped the issues and addressed them directly. I was very impressed. It was an example of dialogue at its best. The future pope approached the 20 bishops of our region with all the elements of good dialogue: civility, respect, a listening ear, the capacity to articulate his understanding of the truth, and the capacity to respond.

One commentator said that his vision for church leadership is not seeking world power but rather renewing its intellectual and moral reverence for the truth. Like the saint of the fifth century from whom he takes his name, one credited with preserving and reviving the faith in one of its darkest hours, our new Holy Father shows his love of the faith.

A few months ago I wrote about dialogue, tolerance, and truth, quoting Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald as saying that “. . . education in tolerance . . . means educating in the exercise of the freedom to adhere to one’s own convictions, while accepting that others may adhere to theirs as well, and in respecting those practices that correspond to each individual’s religious beliefs . . . provided that they violate neither the rights of others nor national security, public health, or morals.” Few people today would think as deeply about this virtue we so cherish. Tolerance of others begins with a commitment to adhere to one’s own convictions. Too often conversation today about tolerance describes not so much one’s own convictions but rather a vague desire not to step on anyone’s toes. Only when one is clear about one’s own convictions can any lasting and meaningful dialogue take place. Pope Benedict XVI will be a great model of true dialogue, which our world desperately needs.

Similar to Pope John XXIII, who was elected in 1958 at the age of 77, and his beloved predecessor, John Paul II, whose youth was spent under the politics of tyranny, Benedict XVI, just turning 78, is the first pope from Germany since 1057. Just as some analysts wanted to dismiss John XXIII as an “interim” pope, I am sure the same cries will be heard again. However, judging from my recent observations in December and hearing the Holy Father describe himself as a “simple, humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord,” I cannot help but think that there will be a greatness that will be God’s gift to us. I pledge to follow him as he leads us to the Lord in the path of holiness, truth, and charity. Long live Pope Benedict XVI.

Bishop Kurtz’s Schedule

May 8: 9:30 a.m. CDT, confirmation, St. Francis of Assisi Church, Fairfield Glade

May 10: noon, general priests’ meeting, Chancery

May 11: 8:05 a.m., Mass, Sacred Heart Cathedral

May 12: provincial meeting, Louisville, Ky.

May 13: 10 a.m., Mass, All Saints Church, followed by reception to honor Knoxville Catholic High School principal Dr. Aurelia Montgomery

May 14: 11:15 a.m., Mass of thanksgiving for Father Herbert Prescott’s 50th anniversary, St. Stephen Church, Chattanooga; 5:30 p.m., Mass, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Chattanooga, followed by Respect for Life walk

May 15: 9 a.m., confirmation, St. Bridget Church, Dayton

May 16: St. Charles Borromeo Seminary class reunion, St. Eleanor Church, Collegeville, Pa.

May 17: 1:30 p.m., meeting of Vocations Promotion Council, Chancery

May 18: 8:30 a.m., Mass, Chancery

May 19: 4 p.m., meeting with students in the Loyola Institute for Ministry Extension Program, Chancery

May 20: 6 p.m., annual Knights of Columbus clergy night, Knights’ hall on Lee Highway, Chattanooga

May 21: 10 a.m., graduation, Knoxville Catholic High School; 5 p.m., confirmation, Our Lady of Fatima Church, Alcoa

May 22: Mass, Holy Spirit Church, Soddy-Daisy; 2 p.m., graduation, Notre Dame High School, Chattanooga