Pope Benedict XVI turns 80

Commodore Shemal Fernando RSP,USP,MSc

SECOND YEAR OF PAPACY: His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI celebrated his 80th birthday on Monday April 16. His Holiness will mark the 2nd year of His Papacy tomorrow April 19. He succeeded late Pope John Paul II in 2004.

Assuming office as the Head of the Catholics of World, the Pope said: "After the great Pope John Paul II, the Cardinals have elected me, a simple and humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord.

I am comforted by the fact that the Lord knows how to work and act even with insufficient instruments...", with those first words from the balcony of Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome. Cardinal Joseph Alois Ratzinger took over the flock, as the chief shepherd of the Roman Catholic Church.

Choosing the name Pope Benedict XVI, the new Pope elect said that the last Pope Benedict, the Benedict XV who reigned from 1914 to 1922 had been "a man of peace who served only briefly." On deeper reflection, however, it became more apparent that the choice also had much, or even more, to do with the fifth-century Saint Benedict and the fundamental role his monastic movement played in rebuilding Europe after the Roman Empire had collapsed.

At the Mass of Papal Installation on April 24, 2005, he asked, "Now, at this moment, weak servant of God that I am, I must assume this enormous task, which truly exceeds all human capacity. How will I be able to do it?" Pope Benedict became the first Pope known to be of direct Jewish descent since Saint Peter, the founder of the Church.

The 265th Shepherd of the Roman Catholic Church, went to the Conclave to elect a candidate to succeed Pope John Paul II over whose funeral service he presided. At 78, he was the oldest pope elected in 275 years, since Pope Clement XII in 1730.

He is the 8th German Pope in history, but only the third from the territory of modern-day Germany. The last German Pope, Adrian VI, was elected in 1522 and died in 1523.

Before election Cardinal Ratzinger was identified as one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine. But once elected he said: "The Pope is not an absolute monarch whose thoughts and desires are law. He must not proclaim his own ideas, but rather constantly bind himself and the Church to obedience to God's World."

Pope Benedict XVI smiles broadly and speaks often of the 'joy of being a believer in Christ'. From the very start, he demonstrated a sort of shy confidence and serene joy. His style and manner have been strikingly similar to that of the delicate and erudite Paul VI, a lover of the fine arts and classical music, than to the style of the robust and charismatic John Paul II, who was sometimes called , 'God's Athlete'.

Birth and priesthood

Pope Benedict was born to parents named Joseph and Maria on Holy Saturday, April 16, 1927 in the town of Marktl am Inn, in the Diocese of Passau in Germany. His father was a policeman and his mother a housewife. The family was profoundly Catholic and his father attended three masses every Sunday. His sister Maria was his long time secretary and some believe, his model for the 'simple faithful'.

In the conservative Alpine foothills of Bavaria where he grew up, Joseph Ratzinger remains a favourite son.

He left Tuebingen during student protests in the late 1960s and moved to the more conservative University of Regensburg in his home state of Bavaria which is a Catholic dominated area. He and his elder brother, Georg used to visit the peaceful halls of St. Michael's Seminary annually to stay in the elegant, but sparsely furnished bishop's apartment.

An accomplished pianist who loves Mozart and Beethoven, Ratzinger enjoys playing the grand piano in the seminary's main hall, and walking through downtown Traunstein, meeting and greeting people.

Traunstein was also where Ratzinger went through the harrowing years of Nazi rule and World War II. In his memoirs, Ratzinger wrote that he was enrolled in the Nazi youth movement against his will when he was 14 in 1941, when membership was compulsory.

Two years later he was drafted into a Nazi anti-aircraft unit as a helper, a common task for teenage boys too young to be soldiers. A year later he was released, only to be sent to the Austrian-Hungarian border to construct tank barriers.

He deserted the German Army in May 1945 and returned to Traunstein - a risky move, since deserters were shot on the spot if caught, or publicly hanged as examples to others. When he arrived home, US soldiers took him prisoner and held him in a 'Prisoner of War' camp for several weeks.

Ratzinger was ordained, along with his brother on June 29, 1951. He quickly displayed extraordinary theological gifts and two years later received a doctorate from the University of Munich.

As a young priest, he was an enthusiastic participant in the reforms of the extraordinary Second Vatican Council from 1962 to 1965. He had a distinguished 25-year teaching career as well at the universities in Freising, Bonn, Munster, Tubingen and Regensburg.

In 1972, he founded the theological journal Communio which is now published in seventeen languages (German, English, Spanish and many others) apart from becoming one of the most important journals of Catholic thought.

Archbishop and Cardinal

In March 1977, Ratzinger was named Archbishop of Munich and Freising. In June same year, he was named a Cardinal by late Pope Paul VI. At the time of the 2005 Conclave, he was one of only 14 remaining Cardinals appointed by Pope Paul VI, and one of only 3 of those under the age of 80 and thus eligible to participate in that Conclave.

On November 25, 1981 the late Pope John Paul II named Cardinal Ratzinger as the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which was formerly known as the Holy Office of the Inquisition. Cardinal Ratzinger was responsible for enforcing Catholic orthodoxy and was one of the key men in the drive to shore up the faith of the world's Roman Catholics.

He became Cardinal Bishop of the Episcopal See of Velletri-Segni in 1993, Vice-Dean of the College of Cardinals in 1998, and the Dean of the College of Cardinals in 2002, becoming titular Bishop of Ostia.

As a Cardinal, he wrote 'Truth and Tolerance', a book in which he denounces the use of tolerance as an excuse to distort the truth. He also continued to defend the Second Vatican Council and the document 'Nostra Aetate' on respect of other religions and the declaration of the right to religious freedom.

As the Prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, he clearly spelled out the Catholic Church's position on other religions in 'Dominus Iesus'.

Election as the Pontiff

It is important to note that Ratzinger's election to the papal office was by no means certain. In conclaves men who are considered papabile often are not elected to office. At times men considered certain to win the election did not win. This is expressed in the saying, "He who enters the conclave as Pope leaves as a Cardinal."

Ratzinger has repeatedly stated he would like to retire to a Bavarian village and dedicate himself to writing books, but more recently, he told friends he was ready to 'accept any charge God placed on him'. Pope Benedict XVI speaks ten languages, such as German, Italian, English and ecclesiastical Latin and also fluent in French.

Pope Benedict has inherited a Church that strives to remain faithful to the Good News of Jesus in a changing world that often ridicules its core beliefs in transcendence, objective truth and the dignity of human person made in the image of the God.

Long live the Pope!

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Ancient historical account of Hinduism

"The Epic Age 200 B.C.-300 A.D."

Prof. Pon. Sakthivel

continued from last week

HISTORY: Buddhism is now gradually Hinduised and is later known as Mahayana Buddhism. Indians begin to go abroad to start Hindu Kingdoms. The fall of the Mauryan empire, together with the Ramayana and Mahabharatha become instruments of a great Hindu revival and renaissance.

As the upanishadic teaching are now brought home to the masses in a very simplified form through these twin epics: which beyond doubt, has been the greatest single factor in sustaining and rejunevating Hinduism.

There is now seen a fusion of Aryan and Dravidian culture. Shiva and Durga attain the same status as Vishnu. The bormula of Vama-Ashrama-Dhamma as well as Dharma-Artha-Kama-Moksha are now popularly accepted.

Pravrthi (active life consisting of Dharma, Artha and Kama)- Nevruthi (renunciating) become correctives to Buddhism's negation of life.

Domestic virtues and active life are glorified. The heroes of the Ramayana and Mahabharatha are idolised and idealised. The warm theistic elements of the somewhat abstract Upanishads are now elaborated laying more emphasis on a personal God (Iswara) who responds to Bhakthi.

The concept of Trimurti (Divine Trinity of Brahma Vishnu, Shiva) leads to the concept of Avatara (Dwine Incarnation, which is a special manifestation of the impersonal God) to Ishta Deiva (Chosen Deity) and to the other paraphernalia-images, temples, processions, pilgrimages etc, Dravidian and Aryan deities enjoy equal status, Manis laws guide the life of the masses.

Brahminism now becomes Hindusim (or Sanathana Dharma) whose finest product is the Bhagavad Gila, which, faithful to the earlier upanishads, now applies it to practical life. Yoga, Karma, Yajna, Varna and Dharma are correctly interpreted. Gnana is now correctly balanced with Karma and Bhakthi, Hinduism tenets are now clear.

The Kural, Manimekhalai, Silappalhekerel and Samgam books are products of the age in the South Thiravalliwar (composer of the Kural) belongs to this age.

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Prophet Muhammad the exemplar to mankind

M.Y.M. Meeadh

REVELATION: The Holy Quran is the Divine revelation from Allah to His Last messenger - Prophet Muhammad (sal). It is the text of speech revealed by Allah - not the text of talk by Prophet Muhammad (sal). On this basic principle of Islam, let us find the Quranic perspective of the Prophet Muhammad (sal) as the best exemplar to Mankind.

The Quran says as follows in the chapter 2 verse 147 about the role played by Prophet Muhammad as enviaged by Almighty Allah.

"Thus we have made you (true Muslims - real believes of Islamic Monotheism, true followers of Prophet Muhammad (sal) and his Sunnah (Legal ways), a just (and the best) nation, that you be witnesses over mankind and the messenger (Muhammad (sal) be a witness over you.

From the above Quranic verse, we can find that Allah's messenger has been appointed as a witness (best exemplar) to Muslims in particular. That means, it is through Muslim nation that Prophetic example is demonstrated to entire mankind. However, it is quite obvious from this Quarnic verse that Prophet Muhammad (sal) is a Universal messenger - to the entire human race.

Further, The Quran describes the Prophet (sal) as a messenger with truth - in the following Quranic verse.

"O Mankind, verily, there has come to you the messenger (Muhammad (sal)) with the truth from our Lord, so believe in him, it is better for you" (4:170). From the above Quranic verse, it is quite clear that Prophet Muhammad (sal)) had been truthful since his boyhood.

Before he started preaching Islam, he had commanded the respect of the people in Mecca for his truthfulness He was popularly known as Al-Ameen 'the trustworthy' and honest. Even his enemies trusted him for his honesty in all dealings.

Moreover, Allah has chosen Prophet Muhammad (sal) as the perfect Man among the men of the world. Allah has recognised Prophet (sal) as an exemplary man in the following Quranic verse; "Indeed, Allah, conferred a great favour on the believers when He sent among them a messenger (Muhammed sal), from among themselves, reciting unto them His verses (The Quran) and purifying them (from sins by their following him) and instructing them in the Book (the Quran) and Al-Hikmah (the Wisdom and Sunnah of the Prophet) (i.e. his legal ways, statements, acts of worship) while before that had been in manifest error." (3:164)

The above Quranic verse introduces Prophet Muhammad (sal) as an exemplar to the entire human race.

Further, Allah, in His Quran, demonstrates to Mankind how he has entrusted Prophet Muhammed (sal) with the sacred task of inviting all humans to the right. straight Path. In this regard, the following Quranic verse is relevant.

"Invite Mankind, O Muhammad to the way of your Lord (Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the divine revelation and the Quran) and fair preaching and argue with them in a way that is better: (16:125) In conclusion, we can say that Allah has sent his universal messenger with the message of true guidance to entire mankind irrespective of ethnic differences- Therefore, let all humans read The Quran and learn something for his guidance from the practical example of Prophet Muhammad (sal).

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Christianity the emergence of Church

Miran Perera

continued from last week

ACKGROUND: The first Christian Church was organised at Jerusalem, immediately after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus. Subsequent to the preaching of the new faith outside Judea churches were established at Antioch, Alexandria Ephesics, Corinth and other cities in Rome and elsewhere.

It appears that a Christian church was founded at Rome during the reign of the Roman Emperor Claudius (BC 10 - 54 AD). In every place it is believed where a number of Christians habitually met together for worship they formed a united body known as 'ecclesia' or congregation. Each Ecclesia or united group of Christians was a church.

Among the local churches the one at Rome played a prominent role. It was due to Paul probably more than to any other person that Christianity assumed the form in which we now know it and which ultimately swept the world.

Paul undertook a succession of missionary journeys to win disciples for the new cause. In every place in which he arrived he founded a synagogue which served as the scene and subsequently as the centre of his activities. But he gradually became convinced that it was impossible for Christianity to make headway while it was weighed down with the yoke of the Jewish law its adherents having to submit to circumstances.

Soon the great Hellenistic city of Antioch in Syria became a centre of Christian activity and influence. It was from Antioch that Paul and others first set out on long mission fours for the definite purpose of preaching the Gospel. For about 20 years he and his associates kept up this work.

They endured hardships, they faced opposition, they were beaten and flogged, shipwrecked and imprisoned but they were able to carry on their proselytising campaign with success.

To be continued next week

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