John L Allen Jr Daily Column

WYD: Benedict the theologian offers seminar on Spirit

John L Allen Jr Daily — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 01:47:45 -0400

By JOHN L. ALLEN JR.

As pope, Benedict XVI is many things: A universal pastor, a media superstar, a voice of conscience in world affairs, and the leader of the 1.1-billion strong Catholic Church. As Joseph Ratzinger, however, this particular pope is also a world-class theologian, with decades of classroom experience in rendering complex ideas accessible to young minds.

That side of the pope’s personality stood out in especially clear fashion tonight, as Benedict XVI delivered what amounted to a theological exposition on the Holy Spirit – sometimes, as the pope put it, the “neglected person of the Blessed Trinity” – to a throng of young pilgrims estimated at 235,000 gathered for a vigil at Sydney’s Randwick Racecourse.

WYD: Pope on sex abuse: 'I am deeply sorry'

John L Allen Jr Daily — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:28:21 -0400

By JOHN L. ALLEN JR.

Pope Benedict XVI today offered a direct apology for the sexual abuse of minors by Catholic priests and religious, saying he is "deeply sorry for the pain and suffering the victims have endured," assuring them that "as their pastor, I share in their suffering."

The pope said that sexual abuse deserves “unequivocal condemnation,” pointedly acknowledging the “shame” and “great pain” caused by the recent scandals in Catholicism. Twice, the pope referred to sexual abuse as an “evil.”

WYD: Benedict paints his own shade of green

John L Allen Jr Daily — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 07:53:03 -0400

By JOHN L. ALLEN JR.

Pope Benedict XVI continued to paint his distinctive shade of green in Australia yesterday, repeatedly voicing environmental concerns while linking them to a broader range of Christian doctrines and moral teaching.

In a session with leaders of other religions held in the Chapter Hall of Sydney’s St. Mary’s Cathedral, the pontiff said religions have a unique capacity to foster “sacrifice and self-discipline,” including “a moderate use of the world’s goods.”

WYD: World Youth Day's evolution from Chaucer to 'Evangelical Pilgrimage'

John L Allen Jr Daily — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 07:07:28 -0400

By JOHN L. ALLEN JR.

In the media and popular culture, World Youth Day is often dubbed the “Catholic Woodstock,” or the “Olympic Games” of world religion. Among Catholic insiders, however, the preferred argot is “pilgrimage,” and the youth who take part are described as “pilgrims.”

Yet if Geoffrey Chaucer somehow were to drop in on Sydney, Australia, this week, it’s not at all clear he would be reminded of the kind of spiritual journey he described in The Canterbury Tales.

WYD: Novelty in the air, but a classic 'Ratzingerian' message

John L Allen Jr Daily — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:45:29 -0400

By JOHN L. ALLEN JR.

Novelty was in the air in Sydney tonight, as Pope Benedict XVI kicked off his first-ever trip Down Under by arriving in Sydney harbor aboard a cruise ship, accompanied by a 13-vessel “boat-a-cade.” (To date, the only other time Benedict XVI has initiated a foreign trip with a boat ride was also during a World Youth Day, in Cologne in 2005.)

Among other departures, this may well have been the first time that Benedict XVI, a notoriously music-loving pope, was serenaded by a didgeridoo – an aboriginal instrument, made from a termite-hollowed bamboo or eucalyptus limb.

WYD: Pope lauds reconciliation with aborigines

John L Allen Jr Daily — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:31:04 -0400

By JOHN L. ALLEN JR.

In his first public act since arriving in Sydney on Saturday, Pope Benedict XVI today praised Australia’s efforts to reconcile with its indigenous population, saying it offers “hope to peoples all over the world who long to see their rights affirmed and their contribution to society acknowledged and promoted.”

At roughly 10:00 am in Sydney, Benedict visited Government House, the official residence of the governor of New South Wales. The pope was greeted by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd of Australia.