Heeeere's +BENNIE!

Thankfully, they didn't play "Hail to the Chief" this morning during the Roman Pontiff's "inauguration" or swear him in. But they sure came pretty close to it. Unbeknownst to most American citizens, US Presidents are actually inaugurated privately hours before their public ceremony on the steps of the US Capitol (for security reasons to safe guard premature succession). So you're actually witnessing a "re-run" when that happens.

Likewise, what you saw and heard this early morning (4:00-7:00 AM EST) was NOT the actual creation of a new Pope. It was only his official coming out party, or theatrical photo-op if you will. His Holiness was already INSTALLED as our Pope by the Holy Spirit last Tuesday when he was elected. Upon his assent, his Pontificate was then directly inaugurated forthwith. God did that silently and instantaneously to him (and for us) - not any cardinal, bishop, nor colleges of them.

Just as life begins at conception, not birth -- one's Papacy begins upon consenting to his election -- not his coronation or "inaugural" as it's now being incorrectly called for the first time. This installation ceremony used to be called a "coronation" - when popes wore crowns to signify their political and spiritual powers. Pope Paul VI abolished the papal tiara, but the "Rite of Installation" a.k.a. "Ceremony of Investiture" (as it's correctly called now) wasn't finalized when +John Paul I was elected in 1978 or when St. John Paul the Great became Pope about a month later - so they just ad libbed it until today's performance.

In actuality, it only invested the frosh Pope with the externals of his Pontificate. It did NOT confer any authority (as though any other clergyman could upon His Holiness) or prerogatives not already received earlier this week. He could have had them last Tuesday, but he differed them until the next Sabbath. This morning's spectacle was staged so EVERYONE in this global era could witness the populas Pope Benedict XVI receive the insignias and symbols of his Papacy: His Cathedra (Chair), the Pallium, the Ring of the Fisherman and reverent gestures of obedience from 12 representative groups he now shepherds (three cardinals, a bishop, a priest, a deacon, a married couple, a nun, a religious brother and two youths who have received the sacrament of Confirmation) like the 12 Apostles.

In a call-back to ancient tradition in the first millennium, +Benedict's pallium (a narrow shawl of white wool embroided with five silk crosses whose red color symbolizes the blood of Christ. A spike pierces three of the crosses, to symbolize the nails driven into Christ on the Cross) is 2.6 yards long, as opposed to the short, stole-like pieces that are shared with bishops in communion with His Holiness. Pope Benedict's pallium is now embroidered with five red silk crosses as opposed to the six black ones that RC bishops wear. (Old Catholic bishops MAY NOT wear them, guys and gals. Got to be a member of his exclusive club, which you're NOT. Got that?)

As beautiful and impressive as it was, today's initiatory ceremony (for want of a better word - since they're loathe to use either of the correct ones) and Holy Mass, on his 6th day in office, served to formally welcome His Holiness in public and pray for him en masse -- nothing more or less.

Pope Benedict XVI opened his homily by stating that his predecessor Pope John Paul the Great was now "at home" among the saints in heaven, but did not call for his canonization (yet). He said that upon +John Paul's death, the faithful were able to "call upon the saints from every age - his friends, his brothers and sisters in the faith - knowing that they would form a living procession to accompany him into the next world, and into the glory of God..." We knew that his arrival was awaited. Now we know that he is among his own and is truly at home," he said, as half a million people broke into applause.

"My real program of governance is not to do my own will, not to pursue my own ideas, but to listen, together with the whole Church, to the Word and the Will of The Lord, to be guided by Him so that He Himself will lead The Church at this hour of our history," he also said in his homily, read in Italian. (However, his recent sermon against moral relativism outlines his papal campaign platform.) BTW, he has the best command of the English language than any other pope in modern history. And he is the first Pope who can speak to his Swiss guards in their own language, which they really appreciate.

There's a big difference between installation and inauguration. But try telling most of our ecumenical priests and bishops that. I was amazed at how many churchmen were willing to compromise on this traditional Catholic teaching. Some of them are too quick to abandon the deposit of faith. Now they are taking their lead from the popular media and various interfaith groups and going along with it to "keep peace in the family". To them it was just a petty matter of semantics and lesser priorities as exaggerated in the idle mind of this priest. Sure, everything is relative nowadays. Shame on you guys for letting outsiders sway once firm truths. Who's converting who here? (Oh, I forgot, it's impolite to do that anymore.)

Regardless of that principle, I don't care to pursue it anymore either 'cause I'm poped out. However, I wonder if +Bennie the 16th knew what they were saying about his Pontificate behind his back. Is he another Roman Pontiff being kept in the dark? (Most likely he was too busy this week to monitor the multi media.) The proof will soon be in the pudding.

Post Scripts: Not widely reported and hardly mentioned, it says something about the man that on numerous occasions he had often asked Pope John Paul II to be allowed to leave his post heading the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith and return to his theological studies. He repeated that desire to his staff on his 78th birthday, just two days before the conclave started.

Also, when he assumed the above position, he declined bigger and better digs closer to his office so he wouldn't have to disturb an elderly cardinal already in residence there. So he holed up all these years in a small apt. with second-hand furniture while trudging to work everyday. (He's been trekking back there all week to collect his beloved books.) Merchants and laborers in the square recall him then as a warm, humble, out-going affable priest who would spend long hours with them in caring conversations. Now that's the guy I was plugging for all these years.

PPS: I was never fashion conscious nor ever awed by splendor, but I really admired those beautiful gold vestments adorned with Tau Crosses today. Perhaps because it is also emblazoned on my vicarial coat-of-arms. Also, I didn't notice if Pope Benny's Papal Coat-of-Arms were prepared and displayed yet. Did any of my readers? Please let me know via E-mail.

I have only one negative comment... It was reported on ABC News at 6:41 AM today that little Joey Ratzinger's older brother, Georg (3 yrs. older, who earlier this week thought that his kid brother had too many ailments to be Pope) heard him say in kindergarten class that he wanted to be a cardinal. (Well that's okay in my book 'cause at that same age I was playing "priest".) In 1932, the Cardinal of Munich rolled into town via his limo. George liked the wheels, but Joey was enthralled by the glad rags. However, a few years before that Joey confided to Georg that he wanted to be the Pope someday. That same Cardinal ordained Georg & Joe both on the same day in 1951. I kid you not. I have this on the authority of another priest who is related to the Pope. ....Anyway, I never liked or respected ambitious clerics, especially the ones who buck for promotions and go in for regal drag. Thankfully, this one is not a glory hound, as is quite evident.


At 6:57 AM, the gleeful Holy Father finally took canonical possession of his unsecured jeep-like Pope-mobile as he triumphantly circled St. Peter's Square for the first time. He did not give Georg a ride in it. (Fr. Georg Ratzinger of Regensburg, Germany also revealed that his brother is a notorious cat lover.)

May today's Latin Mass jump-start his new pastoral ministry. I'm grateful to God for giving us Pope Benedict XVI. And in the ecumenical and bi-ritual spirit of today's liturgy, let me add: AXIOS! AXIOS! AXIOS! (Greek: "Worthy!")