Habemus Papam!

I am very happy with the announcement of the new pope, Pope Benedict XVI, formerly Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. I view his approach to faith and orthodoxy as the pillar strengths of the Catholic Church. It was very good to see that the Cardinals are not bending to the liberal pressures put upon them. For if the Catholic Church is to assume the liberalized theology presented to it, it will cease to be the Church of Christ. Once there is a break in tradition and orthodoxy, the liberalization process floods through. Just look at the Anglican Church and the radical changes which it faces since allowing women reverends, including the damage of instating Rev. Gene Robinson, an openly gay bishop.
I was disheartened to hear the news media voice the opinions of so many misguided Catholics who have liberal views. In my student newspaper, the Indiana Student Daily, IU religious studies professor Mary Jo Weaver stated she was concerned about the Pope's position regarding homosexual mariages! She said "I think it's appalling, unjust and ridiculous." Someone of such supposed "knowledge" or "intellect" would know that no Pope could ever change marriage, because it is a Law of God in the view of Catholics (and most other Christian denominations). Homosexual activity is a sin and should be seen that way. Professor Weaver (and I use the term loosely) obviously knows little of what she is supposed to be teaching. Her ignorance and/or lack of professionalism (subjecting her feelings to students instead of unbiased facts) shows a clear favoring of a liberalising presence of the Church. Unfortunately, such ideas will not go away quickly for as Fr. Felix Salvany said in 1899, "Heresy is always sophistically obstinate, it clings to the least pretext, seeks every excuse to escape condemnation. Barricading itself behind ... technical defenses."