Shepherd of a modern flock

The election of Pope Benedict XVI showcased traditions in the Catholic Church that younger believers have never seen before. And it raised issues about what will become the top priorities for the church in a new era.

Bishop John J. Leibrecht of the Springfield-Cape Girardeau Diocese wasn't surprised by the election of Cardinal Ratzinger, who took the name of Benedict XVI, because he was such a well-known figure at the Vatican.

However, the new pontiff is one of the oldest to ever be selected for the post. He turned 78 a week ago. Pope John Paul II was 58 when he was elected to the papacy.

But the bishop thinks age isn't a factor in how the new pontiff will run the church. "He's in excellent health," Leibrecht said. "And we have to remember that people are living longer lives. I expect him to be around for quite some time. He takes care of himself."

Some critics had expected the college of cardinals to elect a younger pope, or one from Latin America or Africa. But the Rev. J. Friedel of Catholic Campus Ministries thinks that age is a benefit for the new pontiff.

"There is some wisdom to having 'wisdom figures' in those positions. They've seen lots of changes and lived life. They have experienced a lot and been through the ups and downs in their own areas. They have a larger view and a bigger picture of life and how it unfolds."

Gail Daugherty, a student at Southeast Missouri State University, said she thinks Pope Benedict has great challenges ahead of him but not because of age.

"John Paul was a people's pope and was very good with people and I think that will be a challenge" for Pope Benedict to overcome, she said.

Issues like addressing hunger or poverty on a world stage also will present challenges for the church in the coming years.

"I think we need to do more humanitarian work," she said.

Rachel Null wants the church to be more tolerant of other faiths as it adapts to a new pontiff. "I think we need to be more respectful to other religions," she said.

Students and young adults in the Catholic Church who watched the papal funeral and subsequent conclave and announcement found them to be new experiences. The month's events were teaching moments for educators, whether Catholic or not.

Friedel said students have been asking questions periodically and he's tried to guide them through the process. "They aren't sure what it means and I remind them that it's nothing earth-shattering."

The church has been electing popes for centuries. There have been 264 other men to lead the Catholic faith and there will be plenty more after Benedict XVI, he said.

Dana Goodin Varoni, who lives near Milan, Italy, but is originally from Cape Girardeau, used the pope's death as a means of educating her dance students. Instructors at her academy asked the students to research music that would best symbolize the pope's life and message to the world. All the selections will form a ballet that will be performed when Goodin Varoni comes to Cape Girardeau this summer to lead a liturgical dance camp in conjunction with Grace United Methodist Church and Southeast Missouri State University.

ljohnston@semissourian.com

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