Germany's Pope - Word on the Street
When the news broke (Ratzinger elected new Pope) I was sitting in my apartment community kitchen with a German friend."What do you think" I inquired.
"Oh, Scheisse!" *buries head in hands*
Although Pope Benedict XVI was born in Bavaria, my current state of residence, was a professor of religion at my university in Regensburg, and has met some of my German friends, his new position of power has been met with a wary eye on his home turf.
Despite its history (and plethora of churches), Germany is less religious than America. Churches are significantly under capacity every Sunday and spiritually liberal leanings are the norm. Contrast this with former Cardinal Ratzinger, conservative watchdog of the Faith. Not only are German's worried about global regression in positive (aka. liberal) Church reforms, they are particularly concerned that the Eye of the Vatican will refocus on the birth-land of its new master, bringing a wave of social meddling with.
Or so I'm told. I've only attempted to summarize the attitudes of those Germans with whom I've had a chance to speak. We can only wait and see how things really transpire...
posted by Jason @ 9:44 pm
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