POPE BENEDICT XVI

We celebrate with great joy that on April 19, 2005, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger was elected as Pope Benedict XVI - the 265^th pope of the Catholic Church.

He was born on April 16, 1927 in Marktl am Inn, Germany. He was ordained a priest on June 29, 1951. After his ordination he began to teach, studied philosophy and theology at the University of Munich and earned a doctorate in theology. The following years called him to serve as an educator as he taught fundamental and dogmatic theology in various universities in Fresing, Bonn, Tubinga and Regensburg. Pope Benedict XVI is a scholar and intellectual, speaks four languages fluently and served as a consulter during Vatican II to Cardinal Joseph Frings, the Archbishop of Cologne at the time. In March 1977, Pope Pius VI elected him Archbishop of Munich and Freising. He was created and proclaimed Cardinal by Paul VI in the consistory of June 27, 1977. As Cardinal, he was appointed by Pope John Paul II as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; President of the Biblical Commission and of the Pontifical International Theological Commission. He served as the Dean of the College of Cardinals and was the main celebrant and homilist for the funeral liturgy for Pope John Paul II as well as opening liturgy for the conclave for the election of the new pope.  

I invite you to offer this prayer for our New Pope – “Lord, source of eternal life and truth, give to your shepherd Pope Benedict XVI a spirit of courage and right judgment, a spirit of knowledge and love. By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care may he, as successor to the apostle Peter and vicar of Christ, build your Church into a sacrament of unity, love and peace for the entire world. We ask this through our Lord, Jesus Christ, your Son who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.” 

                                                                        Father Sibby