Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Aachen/München (Fides Service) - The National directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Germany (misso Aachen/missio Münschen), Fr. Hermann Schalück OFM and Fr. Eric Enlgert OSA, sent a statement to Fides hailing the election of the German Pope Joseph Ratzinger: “We see in the election of the former prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith as Shepherd of the universal Church a important sign for the Church, for society and for politics. In these times of disorientation in society, unbalanced economic growth and social problems demanding urgent attention such as AIDS and poverty, it is the Gospel which offers us the necessary values” the National Directors said. The Pope is the guarantor of these values. “An important step in this direction is to continue dialogue between the Catholic faith and the modern world, the Catholic Church and other religions” said Fr. Schalück who was in Rome from 1983 to 1997 as Franciscan Superior General and had frequent contact with the then Cardinal Ratzinger.
For the Pontifical Mission Societies in Munich the election is important. “We are overjoyed that a man from Bavaria has become the successor of Peter” said Fr. Eric Englert. “Missio feels particularly close to the new Pope because when Ratzinger was archbishop of Munich and Freising (1977-1981) he was also chairman of missio München central commission. We are certain that as a theologian at Vatican II, a master in the faith, he will carry forward the missionary fervour of John Paul II and be a good shepherd for all peoples.”
Pope Benedict XVI will have to build bridges to promote peace, justice, reconciliation and continue dialogue with religions and help the development of young Churches in Africa, Asia and Oceania, the national directors said. Indicative could be the words pronounced by the then Cardinal Ratzinger in 1988 in a speech in Hamburg: “What is needed is new desire for research and all the humility we can muster”. (MS) (Agenzia Fides, 20/04/2005 - righe 24; parole 331)
