Weighing in on the New Pope

Weighing in on new pope

Q:

Some Protestant religious leaders have expressed concern over new Pope Benedict XVI's -- Joseph Ratzinger's -- conservatism. They cite examples including when Ratzinger, as the protector of the Catholic doctrine, said the Catholic Church was the only true church. Do you have concerns about the direction this pope will take during his tenure, and his more conservative stance?

A:

Give the man a break. What do we expect the Pope to expound? Of course he's going to uphold and defend Catholic doctrine; he's the head of the Roman Catholic Church. I think it shows a lot of character and courage on his part to proclaim beliefs that are not always popular, but certainly the foundation of his Faith.

Putting things in perspective (and rather simply to accommodate the confines of this column), Protestantism is a result of a protest against the Roman Catholic Church. The Protestant Reformation (16th century) was one of three major splits in the Church, first in 451 at Chalcedon then again in 1054.

Scripture teaches that the Church is the Body of Christ. The Creed of Nicea defines the Church as One, Holy, Universal and Apostolic. In theory, the Body cannot be split. In reality there exists a schism, although spiritually, it is still Holy, Sacred and One because all the factors are tied together through faith in Christ.

Rapprochement can only be achieved through two-way efforts on the part of all parties involved, i.e., Orthodox, Roman and Protestant communities. The saying, "It takes two to tango," might be refined for this discussion, "It takes two wings to fly with the angels." The spiritual and administrative unity of the Christian Church will be achieved when everyone extends a hand to one another in truth and love.

From all indications, Pope Benedict XVI has gotten off to a good start. His name selection indicates he's going to be a true pontiff - a bridge builder and working for peace and justice. Ours is not to judge (especially now), rather to pray that God give him and all Christians the strength to work for peace and unity in the world.

Fr. Vazken Movsesian
Armenian Church Youth Ministries

A Look at the legay of Pope John Paul II

Published April 8, 2005 IN THEORY A Look at the legay of Pope John Paul II What is your opinion of Pope John Paul II? What do you think he meant to this world? Q: What is your opinion of Pope John Paul II? What do you think he meant to this world? A: Pope John Paul II was a model of an exemplary life, one lived for others. His life was filled with the presence of God. I'm sure that in the years to come the search for "miracles" will begin so that the process of canonization might take place. I'd like to submit that some of the great miracles of our time were performed through this man. Among those miracles was the toppling of communism, the softening of hearts, the displacing of anger with respect and replacing hatred with love. I can't think of greater miracles than these. He forgave his would-be assassin and in so doing allowed us to see that humans can touch the divine realm. Pope John Paul II was able to express the most complex issues in simple and profound terms. In an attempt to do the same in reflection of his life, I offer this: Pope John Paul II practiced what so many clergy preach. FATHER VAZKEN MOVSESIAN St. Peter Armenian Church & Youth Ministries' Center

Shortage of clergy not easily solved

Published April 1, 2005 - Glendale News Press - Los Angeles Time IN THEORY Shortage of clergy not easily solved Q: There is reportedly a shortage of clergy in the Episcopal and Catholic churches, and the percentage of clergy 35 and younger is dropping. Why do you think this shortage has come about? Are you concerned? Has it affected you locally? What can be done about it? A: The Armenian Church also suffers a tremendous clergy shortage. However, unlike other churches, there is no need to speculate or guess at the reasons why. During the Armenian Genocide of 1915, the clergy were among the first to be slaughtered by the Turks. In fact, in a volume published in 1921, a scribe named Teotig documents the annihilation of over 1200 Armenian clergymen -- Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant -- detailing their suffering and ultimate martyrdom. The numbers tell the impact of the Genocide on the Church. In 1915, the ratio of clergy to souls was roughly one clergyman to 140 individuals. Today, in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, the ratio is 1 to 25,000. It's alarming and paralyzing. The current Armenian Catholicos, Garegin II, has made it a top priority to recruit and educate young men for service in the church and his efforts have been greatly assisted by the fall of communism. Seminaries have opened in Armenia, producing scores of priests annually. Unfortunately, the situation in the United States is not as promising. There is only one seminary in the U.S. training Armenian priests -- in New York. Only a handful of students are enrolled. The greatest obstacle to improving these numbers is materialism. It has fostered a false sense of security that focuses on rewards for the self rather than understanding the value of service and reaching out to others. A good place to start at a solution is to replace the word "rights" with "responsibilities." A priest must understand his calling as a responsibility. Fr. Vazken Movsesian Armenian Church Youth Ministries