Pope more popular than expected
The Pope's open-air masses brought out crowds of his loyal supporters. (ČTK)
Prague Daily Monitor
ČTK 29 September 2009
Prague, Sept 28 (CTK) - The interest of believers in two open-air masses during the three-day visit by Pope Benedict XVI to the Czech Republic was beyond the expectations and it was comparable with those served by his predecessor John Paul II in 1997, experts told CTK on Monday.
The time between the two visits has not brought any tangible progress in the problems the state has with Catholic church and highlighted by John Paul II in 1997. Nevertheless, Pope Benedict XVI chose the Czech Republic as the country to visit on the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Communist regime, experts said.
The Czech Republic is one of the most secular countries in Europe, perhaps leading the field in this respect.
With his speeches, Pope Benedict XVI has made a pleasant surprise, having spoken in a more progressive way than expected, while he eschewed any patronising, Vojtech Elias, a professor of the Catholic faculty of Charles University, said.
"John Paul II was able to open the hearts of other people in an emotive fashion, while Benedict XVI can do so through arguments," said Elias, who noticed Benedict XVI's appeal to Czech church.
"Wait and see what this will do in our society and in church. The Pope seems to have told the church: you live in this society and you, the church, must bring joy and light into it," Elias said.
Priest and author Tomas Halik said he had been impressed by the Pope's behaviour.
"I was greatly impressed by his charisma. He is certainly not a man for the crowds as John Paul Pavel II used to be, but I think that unusual concentration, depth and kindness emanated from him," Halik told CTK.
Halik said the Pope represented "the voice of ethical reason" to over one billion people in the world.
Pope was very satisfied with his visit, although the position of church is still very weak in the Czech Republic, his assistants told journalists.
more...
Prague Daily Monitor
ČTK 29 September 2009
Prague, Sept 28 (CTK) - The interest of believers in two open-air masses during the three-day visit by Pope Benedict XVI to the Czech Republic was beyond the expectations and it was comparable with those served by his predecessor John Paul II in 1997, experts told CTK on Monday.
The time between the two visits has not brought any tangible progress in the problems the state has with Catholic church and highlighted by John Paul II in 1997. Nevertheless, Pope Benedict XVI chose the Czech Republic as the country to visit on the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Communist regime, experts said.
The Czech Republic is one of the most secular countries in Europe, perhaps leading the field in this respect.
With his speeches, Pope Benedict XVI has made a pleasant surprise, having spoken in a more progressive way than expected, while he eschewed any patronising, Vojtech Elias, a professor of the Catholic faculty of Charles University, said.
"John Paul II was able to open the hearts of other people in an emotive fashion, while Benedict XVI can do so through arguments," said Elias, who noticed Benedict XVI's appeal to Czech church.
"Wait and see what this will do in our society and in church. The Pope seems to have told the church: you live in this society and you, the church, must bring joy and light into it," Elias said.
Priest and author Tomas Halik said he had been impressed by the Pope's behaviour.
"I was greatly impressed by his charisma. He is certainly not a man for the crowds as John Paul Pavel II used to be, but I think that unusual concentration, depth and kindness emanated from him," Halik told CTK.
Halik said the Pope represented "the voice of ethical reason" to over one billion people in the world.
Pope was very satisfied with his visit, although the position of church is still very weak in the Czech Republic, his assistants told journalists.
more...
posted by Dr. Denice Hanley, DPM, M.Div. @ 9:28 PM
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