Our People

Pope Benedict XVI

Easter Fifth Sunday

By Most Rev. Julian Porteous
Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney
24 April 2005

In the Mass celebrated with the Cardinals the day following his election, Pope Benedict, speaking of John Paul II, said, “I seem to feel his strong hand gripping mine, I seem to see his smiling eyes and to hear his words, addressed at this moment particularly to me, ‘Be not afraid’”.

(1.) These words express much. They are eloquent testimony to the close relationship that exists between our beloved John Paul II and his successor, Benedict XVI. They have been close collaborators for over twenty years, sharing deeply the burden of the direction the Church needs to take in these times. Pope Benedict has a clear awareness of the needs of the Church and a steady and determined dedication to lead the Church forward.

Twenty years ago in a lengthy interview with journalist, Vitttorio Messori, the then Cardinal outlined his vision for the Church. “The Ratzinger Report”, as the book from the interviews was entitled, provides an insight into the pastoral focus of our new pope. The interviews reveal his priorities: rediscovering Vatican II; a Church that is not ours, but his (Christ’s); priests aware of themselves as servants of the sacred; bishops conscious of their duty to teachers of the faith; theology that overcomes a crisis of faith in dogma; rediscovering fixed points as foundations for morality; and in a commitment to ecumenical effort and interreligious dialogue to know that there is only one saviour, Jesus Christ. These are just some of the areas of pastoral focus. The book is really his Magna Carta.

(2.) These words of the Pope also reveal the humility of the one who described himself as God’s labourer in the vineyard. Pope Benedict is truly a humble man, a gentle soul by nature and one who, having twice asked to be able to retire, offers himself to the service of Christ as Supreme Pastor. As the one responsible since 1981 for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith he has had the difficult and, I am sure, at times the personally painful task of ensuring the integrity of the teaching of the faith. He has been like the deputy principal at a school responsible for discipline. He has been unfairly seen as hardline and some quite derogatory titles have been assigned him. This is not his character.

He is a humble and gentle man. He is warm and interested in people. He is kind and compassionate. He has an engaging smile. He is just and fair, willing to listen and always seeking to understand. These qualities will come more to the fore as Supreme Pastor. In the homily to the Cardinals he said, “I ask him [Christ] to make up for the poverty of my strength, so that I will be a courageous and faithful shepherd of his flock, always docile to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit”. Pope Benedict firmly places himself under the guidance of God’s Spirit. He has no inflated view of his own abilities, despite having an extraordinary clear and incisive intellect. He is a scholar of outstanding ability. He is a great theologian.

Our Pope is a man who simply offers his life to serve his brethren. He said to the Cardinals, “I ask that you support me with prayer and with constant, active and wise collaboration”. He does not intend to move on alone but seek the assistance of his brother Cardinals and bishops, and he will do this.

(3.) These words echo the opening words of the Gospel of today as the Lord says to his disciples at the Last Supper, “Do not let your hearts be troubled, trust in God still and trust in me”. In the Gospel the Lord was addressing his beloved disciples for the last time prior to his passion and death. He knew that they would be overwhelmed by what was to occur. Yet, it was to them that he would entrust the continuing of his work; they were to be the foundation stones of his church. He simply encouraged them not to become troubled, but to trust.

These words clearly capture the interior consciousness of Pope Benedict. He knows that looking at the challenges from a purely human perspective can be quite overwhelming and cause the heart to tremble, but he looks beyond. He places his trust in God.

Today’s gospel ends with some extraordinary words of the Lord, “ I tell you most solemnly, whoever believes in me will perform the same works as I do myself, he will perform even greater works, because I am going to the father”. The one who profoundly believes is the one who will perform the work of Christ. Our new pope is one who profoundly believes. 

The Catholic world rejoices in the election of Pope Benedict XVI. Indeed, many beyond the Church share our joy and our hope for the future. The Catholic Church exists as the instrument of salvation chosen by Christ. It is also at the service of mankind proposing our understanding of human life and the insight of faith into the complex issues humanity faces today. It gives of its resources generously to meet the needs of the world. The Church, led by Pope Benedict, stands ready to engage with the world of our time in the cause of truth and life.

Pope Benedict stated that Pope John Paul II has “left a more courageous, free and young Church”. This Church the risen Christ has entrusted to “a humble worker in the vineyard”, as he describes himself. We unite in praying for him and his ministry among the human race.

May the Lord grant him many years and great blessing on his labours.