Sir, Benedict XVI is a conservative and as such is distasteful to many of the faithful but, as his predecessor demonstrated so admirably, there is a strong need to defend core Catholic values in the face of a challenging and constantly changing world. I believe that, had another candidate been chosen (letters, April 20), the Catholic Church would have placed itself in a dangerous position.

I do not think that Cardinal Arinze would have been a better choice. The election of an African pontiff would effectively have obliged the Vatican to address those controversial issues which are perceived as particularly African, especially the Aids pandemic. The Church would have been forced to choose between the prospect of a schism arising from a revision of its attitude to contraception and the accusation of tokenism stemming from an adherence to the pronouncements of John Paul II.

Such pressing issues clearly demand the attention of the Vatican. However, with the election of Benedict XVI, the Church has an opportunity to do so in a manner which draws on the central tenets of the Catholic faith so extolled by Cardinal Ratzinger. Pope Benedict’s “Christocentric” attitude may therefore be the best means of renewing the Church at this most critical of times and leaving it in a stronger position to tackle new challenges in years to come.

Yours sincerely,
ALEX LEE,
The Dower House,
83 West Avenue, Handsworth Wood,
Birmingham B20 2LY.
alexlee37@yahoo.co.uk
April 20.

From Ms Patricia Lintott

Sir, Congratulations to our new Pope. To all those who would have preferred a more liberal leader, may I point out that the Gospels tell us that ours is not an easy path to follow. As Catholics we cannot alter the teachings of Christ as given to us through the Gospels, even though a modern changing society may offer us an easier interpretation.

Is it so hard to follow a creed that upholds the dignity of life, the sanctity of marriage, the love of our neighbour and peace in our world?

Yours faithfully,
PATRICIA LINTOTT,
73 Winn Grove, Sheffield S6 1UN.
patol@tesco.net
April 20.

From Dr Peter J. Hickman

Sir, As a member of the Church of England I am pleased that the Catholic Church has chosen a leader committed to defending the historic moral absolutes of the Christian faith, firmly resisting the trend towards relativism all too often embraced by an influential minority of Anglican leaders.

Yours sincerely,
PETER HICKMAN,
High Croft,
27 Thorley Hill, Bishop’s Stortford,
Hertfordshire CM23 3NE.
pj.hickman@ntlworld.com
April 20.

From Father Tom Grufferty

Sir, Pope Benedict XVI faces many major problems but two must be addressed immediately.

There is an urgent need to return to the sort of collegiality hailed by the bishops of Vatican II. It received a healthy airing for a few short years. But the Vatican under John Paul II assumed more and more to itself in a grand centralisation policy.

The second crucial issue is priesthood. Many communities are denied the weekly Eucharist because there are not enough ordained priests. This causes great pain to many faithful Catholics as for centuries the Mass has been widely regarded as the highest form of prayer.

An answer lies in part-time lay priests with, say, one for baptisms, another for Sunday Mass, one for weekday Mass. As well as being part-time, he or she might exercise his or her ministry for ten years, which might then be renewed.

Yours faithfully,
TOM GRUFFERTY,
134 West Street,
Havant, Hampshire PO9 1LP.
tom.grufferty@ntlworld.com
April 20.

From Mr Tim Donaldson

Sir, Following the successful election of Pope Benedict XVI, might it not be possible to introduce name changes after each general election in this country?

This would avoid having the same prime minister for more than one term and give the electorate an indication of whose mantle he or she was aiming to emulate.

Thus we might have a Winston Churchill II or a William Pitt the Middle-Aged.

Yours faithfully,
TIM DONALDSON,
1 Bossington Barn, Bossington,
Adisham, Canterbury, Kent CT3 3LN.
t.donaldson@nrint.co.uk
April 20.

From Mr Roger Clay

Sir, I fear that the Roman Catholics have got the pope they deserve, and we are about to get the government we deserve.

Yours faithfully,
ROGER CLAY,
115 Cramptons Road,
Sevenoaks, Kent TN14 5DU.
April 20.

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