New pontiff confronts rebellious U.S. church

As a Roman Catholic cardinal, Pope Benedict XVI warned American voters against departing from church teaching at the ballot box, drew criticism from victims of clerical sex abuse and opposed married or women priests.

U.S. Catholics may come to admire the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger for his intellect, spirituality and consistent support for the traditions of their faith — qualities he’s shown in 24 years as the head of the Vatican’s doctrinal watchdog agency.

But as with John Paul II, the majority of American Catholics seem certain to diverge from him on numerous policy issues.

“In America, he has many avid supporters, but many who are not so keen on the power he has wielded,” says Chester Gillis, theology chairman at Georgetown University. His elevation “is not going to be received unequivocally with great admiration by all American Catholics — no question about that.”

Anguish, joy and concern
The majority of American Catholics told pollsters in recent weeks that they favored married clergy and a greater voice for the laity in the church — and it was clear Tuesday that liberals were anguished, conservatives delighted and others wary about Ratzinger’s election.

Ric Francis / AP Catholics pray Monday at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, in anticipation of the naming of a new pope.

Catholics for a Free Choice, which favors liberalizing church abortion policy, predicted “continued internal dissension within the church.” The Catholic League’s leader said “orthodox Catholics have cause for great celebration.” And the president of the Knights of Peter Claver, a black lay Catholic group, said “the jury is still out.”

Said David Clohessy of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests: “He’s a polarizing figure, but what matters to us, of course, is not necessarily theology but children’s safety. I think we owe it to him and to ourselves to try to remain hopeful and open-minded.”

Mixed reactions
For American Catholics — often called “cafeteria Catholics” for picking and choosing appealing parts of the faith — the reaction to the new pontiff was mixed.  In the words of one, this is not a step forward, but a step to the side.

In Skokie, Ill., this was the rewrite that editor Annerose Goerge wanted. Her German-language weekly newspaper tore up its front page to tout the German pope. “I was hopeful and praying that he would be elected,” she told NBC News.

Near Boston, there was cautious optimism at Voice of the Faithful, the lay activist group formed in response to the priest sex abuse crisis.

As cardinal, Pope Benedict first blamed the scandal on the media. But James Post, Voice of the Faithful's president, said the pope eventually realized its seriousness. “For those looking for open windows, I think the window opened a crack — but not very wide,” Post said Tuesday.

The news of the new pope was welcomed at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City, but when flashed on the Jumbotron in Times Square, there were signs of disbelief.

Visiting the cathedral in Los Angeles, Mary Ellen Phillips of Michigan wanted a younger, more liberal pope. “I'm hoping that maybe there will be married priests, because we need them,” she said.

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