AMERICA/DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - “The election of the new Pontiff is a moment of great hope for all the members of the Church and for all who, while not members, appreciate the Church’s work” Cardinal Nicolas de Jesús López Rodríguez, Archbishop of Santo Domingo told Fides.

Monday, 25 April 2005

Rome (Fides Service) - “Widespread expectation for the election of the new Pope was the result of the long a brilliant pontificate of John Paul II, a man of great acts which remain in the hearts of the whole world. For all who recognised the admirable achievements of the late Pope, the election of his successor was of great interest and hope that his work would not stop, but would indeed continue” Cardinal Nicolás de Jesús López Rodríguez, archbishop of Santo Domingo and military ordinary for the Dominican Republic told Fides.
“Given the situation in most countries today - the Cardinal continued- it was necessary to guarantee continuity in the efforts and struggles undertaken by John Paul II to promote peace and reconciliation among peoples”. Cardinal López Rodríguez said he was convinced that the election of Cardinal Ratzinger as Supreme Pontiff opened a series of expectations in this sense, because the newly elected Pontiff stated clearly that he will work to promote reconciliation. Even the choice of name indicates his determination to work for reconciliation among peoples like his predecessor Benedict XV who lived at the difficult time of World War I and tried hard to achieve reconciliation and peace. The new Pope has also said the ecumenical dialogue and activity will be one of his main tasks, as well as to continue the implementation of the Second Vatican Council.
Cardinal López Rodríguez concluded: “I believe His Holiness Benedict XVI, having been very close to John Paul II and enjoying his total trust for 22 years as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, will not fail to guarantee fidelity to the doctrine of the Church and continuity in the work achieved by his predecessor. I am fully convinced that in the person of the new Pope we have: a man of faith, a man of the Church, a man who feels with the Church. I ask everyone to pray for the new Pope, because he is God’s gift to the Church. Undoubtedly the election of the new Pope is a moment of great hope for all the members of the Church and for all who, while not members, appreciate the work of the Church”. (RZ) (Agenzia Fides 25/4/2005 righe 31 parole 401)


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