OCEANIA/AUSTRALIA - Catholic Archbishop of Brisbane: “The Pope will strive to spread the message of Christ and the joy, happiness and dynamism which come with it”.

Brisbane (Fides Service) - “Benedict XVI has the grave responsibility to lead the world’s one million Catholics. I was surprise that he was elected so swiftly, a fact which shows there was almost unanimous consensus. No other theologian in the world is more respected than Pope Joseph Ratzinger” said Archbishop John Bathersby of Brisbane, after the election of Pope Benedict XVI. “I am certain that every pontiff brings with him his personal qualities - the Archbishop continued - but I also believe the role can shape the person. The Pope will continue to preach the teachings of the Church and, as one of the architects of Vatican II, he will strive to spread the message of Christ and the joy, happiness and dynamism which come with it”.
Bishop Philip Wilson of Adelaide said the new Pope is “a great interpreter of the Catholic Church”, Archbishop Denis Hart of Melbourne thanked the Cardinals for choosing “a Shepherd who will be a tireless promoter of peace in the world”
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 21/4/2005 righe 21 parole 217)