"...PAZZI PER RATZI"

“…pazzi per Ratzi”

 

          Pope Benedict’s closeness to his predecessor (John Paul II), while probably one reason for his election, did not tempt him into imitation of the latter’s “grand manner” (cf. Homer) at the World Youth Convention in Cologne, Germany. He maintained his modest camera-shy demeanour and did not fire a volley against sexual immorality or repeat the “dictatorship of relativism” gimmick. It became clear to the 800,000 or more young audience that “holiness” was not just a papal title but a personal property earned by prayer, study and hard work, making that the central and perceptible characteristic of being Christian, especially as he would want to reach out to and engage with Jews and Muslims. So it was clear that papal triumphalism was left to mould in the history books. Smiling and attentive to all, the Holy Father tried to share his own quiet joy and faith.

 

Pope Benedict’s message was simple and one of self-possessed affection, that the Catholic faith in its fullness could satisfy the deepest needs if they would give it an honest chance in their lives. A “pick and choose” or “do-it-yourself” religion is self-serving, bereft of challenge, and could lead to disappointment. The Pope urged the massed ranks of international youth to attend Mass on Sunday, explaining that it was “worth the effort”, and suggested they would be better off being “useful and at the disposal of others than to be concerned only with our own comforts.” A “do-it-yourself” religion could never deliver a social programme. “It may be comfortable,” said the Pope, “but in times of crisis we are left all alone.

 

          This needs a whole-hearted and personal commitment to Jesus Christ, the goal of their spiritual journey, modelled on that of the Wise Men from the East. (The Cathedral of Cologne claims to preserve the relics of the Magi). Only a total dedication to the virtue of faith in Jesus Christ will fulfil their youthful potential and place other matters, like sexuality, important as they are, into proper context. These matters will fall into place of their own accord and submit to the critique of faith. Despite his lament that “the influence of Catholic ethics and morals is in constant decline” and “that many people abandon the Church or…accept only a part of Catholic teaching”, he never once mentioned contraception, abortion, or sex, all burning issues for the hard-line dogmatists who were elated by his election to the highest office. In his homily to the seminarians he did not raise the issue of celibacy. Perhaps later!

 

          He condemned terrorism as a cruel and perverse way of poisoning relationships, and called on Christians and Muslims to dismantle rancour and fanaticism, a difficult but not impossible task. Muslim leaders, in particular, had the “great responsibility” to train their young co-religionists to practise Islam peaceably.

 

          At the end of the day, or rather, four days, Pope Benedict  -  now “BENEDETTO”, as the youth would have it in any language  -  came out a winner with the young who chanted “siamo pazzi per Ratzi” (“we’re nuts for Ratz”), which surprised the dear old man not a little!