Belarusian historians, clerics expect continuity from new Pope :: Charter'97 :: News

Belarusian historians and members of the Roman Catholic Church Cardinal expect Joseph Ratzinger, who has become Pope Benedict XVI and the new head of 1.1 billion Roman Catholics worldwide, to continue the policy of his predecessor, John Paul II.

Anatoly Gritskevich, a lecturer at the Belarusian State University of Culture and Arts, said that despite his conservatism, the pontiff will have to embrace reforms started by his predecessor and to continue a “hard” dialogue with the Protestants and atheists.

The historian noted that the pontiff’s conservatism might manifest itself in “a more persistent policy with regard to attacks against Christians by the Muslims, atheists and anti-globalists.”

Antony Klimantovich, pastor of the Blessed Virgin Mary Cathedral in Minsk, expects Pope Benedict XVI to continue a dialogue with the Protestants, Muslims and Orthodox aimed at “expanding the Lord’s supremacy throughout the earth.”

The pastor added that the pontiff would initiate novelties “dictated by life.”

“Being a man of science, Benedict XVI has a broad view of the world, but his priorities, as for any member of the clergy, are kindness and love, which were given to people by the Lord and which they must share with each other,” he said.

The German community in Belarus welcomed the cardinals’ choice, historian Oleg Iov, chairman of the German Culture Center, told BelaPAN.

He noted that the choice of a Bavarian-born cardinal was not incidental as Germany plays a key role in European integration.

“I believe that the new Pope will support ecumenical trends in Christianity and an understanding among various religions achieved by John Paul II,” he said.

Mr. Iov defended the new Pope’s conservative convictions, noting that conservatism is natural for any religious leader, including the Pope.

Born on April 16, 1927, in Marktl am Inn, in Bavaria, Ratzinger was ordained into the priesthood in 1951, before becoming archbishop of Munich in March 1977.

Four months later Pope Paul VI made him a cardinal.