Cardinal Thomas Williams: Pope Benedict a man of integrity

Cardinal Thomas Williams

Statement from Cardinal Thomas Williams of New Zealand, immediately following the Conclave in which he participated to elect Pope Benedict XVI.

"In expressing my heartfelt and prayerful congratulations to our new Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, I know I can do so also on behalf of all our bishops in New Zealand.

We spent time with him when we were together in Rome last September for our 'ad limina' (five-yearly) visit. We know him to be a man of great integrity -prayerful, gracious and very approachable.

At this early stage it is not possible to predict how he might exercise this heavy responsibility that he has accepted with great humility.

Maybe his choice of name will give us some indication. His predecessor of the same name, Pope Benedict XV, had a relatively short papacy during World War I, from 1914 to 1922.

One of his first acts was to call a halt to the war between traditionalists and progressives in the Church, as well to do all in his power to stop what he called 'the useless slaughter' of the First World War.

His papacy was characterised by his attempts to bring peace to war-torn Europe and to a Church being torn by the crisis of Modernism.

He has chosen the name also of St. Benedict who was the founder of western monasticism and lived in the 6th century. St Benedict was also renowned as a man o peace and reconciliation, and is the Patron Saint of Europe.

This might indicate the new Pope's concern to strengthen and consolidate the faith in Europe which has undergone some crises in recent decades.

Incidentally, there is a connection between St Benedict and New Zealand, as he lived and died at Monte Casino.

It is easy to make the mistake of putting our new Holy Father into a category, but he does not fit categories.

He has spoken of the Church having the courage to proclaim the truth of Jesus, even in an era that does not want to hear it. This philosphy also strongly underpinned the papacy of Pope John Paul II.

In his address at the Mass in St Peter's Basilica last Monday to mark the opening of the Conclave which elected him, he spoke of a mature faith which does not follow the waves of today's fashions, or the latest novelties.

Christian faith must be deeply rooted in friendship with Jesus Christ and in fidelity to his gospel.

Pope Benedict XVI is assured that my prayer and support will accompany him he takes up the heavy burden that has been laid upon him."

Cardinal Thomas Williams

Rome, April 20 2005