Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bamberg/Bonn (Fides Service) - In a message to Fides the Union of Superiors General in Germany (Vereinigung Deutscher Ordensoberen, VDO) wrote: “For the new Pope Benedict XVI we ask God’s help and abundant blessings. The hopes and expectations of many men and women around the world are focused on him. May God give him the strength to build bridges between God and mankind and bridges of peace and justice among peoples. As religious men and women who live in profound unity with Christ and the Church and are committed to spreading the faith and the Gospel all over the world we too are willing to offer our contribution”. With regard to the name chosen by the new Pope, the German religious write: “He has taken the name of the greatest founder of a religious order in the whole history of the Church. As religious we rejoice in this and see it as a sign which gives new energy to the consecrated life”. The Superiors expressed their feelings on the fact that the Pope is a compatriot: “After the tragic events of the 20th century the fact that this latest Successor of St Peter is German is for us a great honour and a promise for reconciliation among all peoples”
On behalf of German associations of lay Catholics (Zentralkomitee der deutschen Katholiken, ZdK), chairman Hans Joachim Meyer said in a message sent to Fides: “We are particularly happy that this eminent theologian has been chosen as the Successor of Peter. This pontificate is a promise that the Church will continue in the spirit of the Second Vatican Council, at which the new Pope was present as a young theologian. Pope Benedict XVI can rely on the prayers and active support of Germany’s lay Catholics”. (MS) (Agenzia Fides, 21/04/2005 - 25 righe, 351 parole)
