Rochester-Area Catholics React to Election of Pope Francis
The white smoke appeared on Wednesday, signaling the conclave had chosen Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio to be the new head of the Catholic Church.
A new pope has been named to lead the Roman Catholic Church, and Rochester Patch readers mostly agreed with the election.
Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 76, of Argentina, has been elected the 266th pope and is the first pope from Latin America.
"I listened to him speak and he seemed very human and humble and a bit funny," said Patch reader Diane Young on the Rochester Patch Facebook page.
Bergoglio is the son of middle-class Italian immigrants and became the first Jesuit archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 and was appointed cardinal three years later, according to the Washington Post. The article stated that Bergoglio leans to the conservative side on doctrinal and spiritual issues and opposes abortion and supports celibacy among priest.
He will take the name of Pope Francis, according to the Huffington Post.
Judy Maten, of Royal Oak, is the director of the office of evangelization & catechesis for the Archdiocese of Detroit. Maten said staff gathered around televisions this afternoon with great joy and excitement.
"We are just thrilled," Maten said. "I think one of the clues to the type pope he will be is that he asked people to pray for him. With the whole world watching, he got people to be quiet and pray in St. Peter's Square."
Maten believes one of the new pope's priorities will be unification.
"We can't wait to see what his first papal document will be," she said.
Renee Rollage Delsignore of Rochester outlined what she thinks the Pope needs to do.
"He needs to bring some equality to women, have No Tolerance for pedophiles and if the church has any hope of continuing they are going to have to let priests marry (every other 'Chrisitian' religion allows them to) ... otherwise it's just more of the same," she stated.
Yvonne Concepcion Whiteley of Rochester suggested that, for the Church to move into the 21st Century, nuns should be allowed into the priesthood. "They need to give women more say in what happens in the Church," she stated.
Despite not having a front runner, in one of the fastest conclaves in years, Bergoglio received the necessary minimum of two-thirds (77) of the 115 votes on the fifth ballot, reported the Detroit News. The article stated that The Archdiocese of Detroit plans a special service Wednesday afternoon to celebrate the election of the new Pope, with time and place to be announced.
What do you think of the decision, Rochester? Tell us in the comments.
Nancy Carabio Belanger
11:11 am on Friday, March 15, 2013
Although these people believe their hearts are in the right place, please understand that the Catholic Church does not exist to change and bend at the whim of people and trends. That is why it has lasted as long as it has in its truth and orthodoxy. I do not go to an Italian restaurant and demand that they serve almond boneless chicken and fried rice. I know what to expect going in there.
"...If the Church has any hope of continuing." Huh. It's lasted over 2,000 years, since since the day Christ Himself told Peter, "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church." And it will last forever BECAUSE it is faithful to its principles. Do I see areas that need improvement? Of course, but none of them are DOCTRINAL changes. I am full of joy at the large numbers of faithful young men entering seminaries— on fire for Christ and His Church. I'm a modern woman and I do not feel like I am a second-class citizen—far from it. The Church reveres Mary as its highest saint. If that isn't respectful of women, I don't know what is. If people honestly feel that the Church founded by Jesus Christ himself is out of touch, etc. then that is their right, of course. There are other denominations for them. I pray for those who leave the Eucharist in order to embrace ideas, whatever they may be at the moment, that are not of God. But don't expect to change an orthodox institution like the Catholic Church; she won't budge on matters she simply cannot change and I thank God for that!
Michele Bondi Bottesi
11:56 am on Friday, March 15, 2013
How insightful of so many Rochester Patch readers to agree with God! That indicates its readers are humble, intelligent, and obedient, certainly all good and necessary qualities. How tragic that so many people offer comments, whether they be public or private, that are clearly in disobedience with Church teaching; what a shame anyone would be willing to offer a statement based on their WISHES instead of learning about what the Catholic Church teaches and why.
Blasphemy highly offends the Lord, and we must never take this behavior lightly.
It is never a good idea to place ones self in the lofty position of dictating the rules of morality and the Catholic Church to God, who isn't going to change them based upon the opinions of uninformed, misinformed, and/or proud people.
Lord knows we need authentic Catholic witnesses who worship the One True, Triune God in a time when so many people worship themselves. Praise be to Jesus Christ, now and forever! + + +
"Trust all things to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and to Mary, Help of Christians, and you will see what miracles are." ~ Saint John Bosco
Michele Bondi Bottesi
11:59 am on Friday, March 15, 2013
Amen, Nancy Carabio Belanger. Excellent comments, based on God's truth. + + +
Cheryl Dickow
6:19 am on Saturday, March 16, 2013
Bravo Nancy and Michelle!
Your responses are spot-on.
We can only offer the suggestion that for those who seek to experience their faith with female pastors, or who prefer a "newer" faith that changes with the wind versus one that has lasted thousands of years, or who feel that women are not treated equally within the Catholic Church, that there are numerous denominations that would welcome them with open arms!
That is the beauty of--and God's generosity in--the gift of free will.