A shadow over the papacy

Commenting on the rehabilitation of four excommunicated traditionalist bishops the daily Süddeutsche Zeitung asks in which direction the Pope is leading his Church: "Veteran Ratzinger critics reply that the Pope is an old conservative who is turning the Vatican into a dogmatic ivory tower and rejects the idea of a Church that is more open to the world. Those who failed to see this were naïve, they say. And indeed there must now be a feeling of unease among all those who joyously welcomed Benedict XVI after the papal elections four years ago - despite all the doubts. Many believed that as Pope Joseph Ratzinger would be more open and magnanimous than he was as the 'Panzerkardinal' [roughly God's Enforcer, or cardinal in a suit of armour], but this conviction is now wavering. ... It may be that a new phase of openness will follow, crowned by a trip to Jerusalem. But nevertheless Benedict won't be able to wipe this spectacular upgrading of these ultra-traditionalists from people's memories. It has reaffirmed his critics, shaken the faith of many of his supporters and cast a dark shadow over his papacy."

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