Happy With Ratzinger! (No, Really!)

DENVER, USA, April 29 (CNA) - In his most recent weekly column, Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput defended Pope Benedict XVI against recent slander and explained why the new Pope would have no “media honeymoon.”

Citing some of the more prominent media attacks, including a recent New York Times column, the archbishop thinks that, “The reason those who oppose authentic Catholic teaching resent [Pope Benedict] is not because he’s harsh — he is exactly the opposite — but because he has a unique serenity and courage.”

“Benedict XVI”, he said, “is not only more experienced in the life of the intellect and Christian conscience than his critics, he’s also more faithful to the mission of the Church and more anchored in the peace that comes from knowing and loving her founder — Jesus Christ.”

Archbishop Chaput went on to explore the reasoning behind much of the smearing of recent weeks.

He noted that “too many American Catholics still don’t want to face is that it’s OK to be Catholic in today’s public square as long as we don’t try to live our beliefs too seriously; as long as we’re suitably embarrassed by all those “primitive” Catholic teachings; as long as we shut up about abortion and other sensitive moral issues and allow ourselves to be tutored in the ways of “polite” secular culture by experts who have little or no respect for the Christian faith that guides our lives.”

The archbishop summarized why, in his view, the media has been so disappointed with the choice of Cardinal Ratzinger for Pope: “He actually believes that what Jesus Christ and His Church teach is true, and that the soul of the world depends on the Church’s faithful witness.”

In conclusion, Archbishop Chaput called on the faithful--“every son and daughter of the Church”—to support the new Holy Father with “enthusiasm, prayers and support.”

Once again, bravo for Archbishop Chaput! He may be accused of many things by many people, but "timid" will not be one of them. How blessed we would be if all the bishops in the Church in America were as forceful and faithful as he is.