Editorial

We heard the news. They've elected a new pope! Some of us gathered around a television set at the Bishop O'Connor Center to watch the announcement. Who would it be, we wondered?

My high school Latin helped a bit as I quickly translated some of the words. When I heard the name, "Joseph," I knew the next pope would be Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. Then I heard he took the name Benedict XVI.

Holy, gentle man. Our new Holy Father came from behind the curtains. His smile absolutely lit up St. Peter's Square (despite the cloudy day). I couldn't help but be impressed already by this holy, gentle man who called himself "a simple, humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord."

I have to admit that Pope Benedict XVI surprised me. His reputation as a tough watchdog of the faith and eminent theologian had me imagining an entirely different kind of person. Yet, here was Pope Benedict XVI, smiling and waving at the throngs of people in Rome and those watching on TV throughout the world.

As he gave his blessing, I felt filled with the presence of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I spontaneously made the Sign of the Cross in front of the television, feeling a sense of joy and peace.

Answer to our prayers. God had answered our prayers. Benedict XVI will continue in the footsteps of St. Peter, our first pope, shepherding the people of God. He will carry on the traditions of our faith with strength, intelligence, and love for all.

Cardinal Ratzinger seems to be the perfect person to succeed John Paul II. With 24 years of service in the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, our new pope understands better than anyone else the inner workings of the Catholic Church. He knows the challenges the church faces from within and from without. He has grappled with these challenges right alongside John Paul II.

Pope Benedict XVI has said the greatest threat to the church comes from moral relativism, the idea that there are no basic truths but that everything is up to the individual's point of view. Instead, Pope Benedict XVI has insisted that there are truths, taught by Christ and the church.

The good shepherd. In his homily at his installation Mass, the pope discussed his role as a shepherd. "One of the basic characteristics of a shepherd must be to love the people entrusted to him, even as he loves Christ whom he serves," he said.

A good shepherd - much like a good parent - must give the sheep good food, care, and guidance. He must not provide inferior food or lead the sheep astray. As Pope Benedict XVI said, "Loving means giving the sheep what is truly good, the nourishment of God's truth, of God's word, the nourishment of his presence which he gives us in the Blessed Sacrament."

As the sheep of his flock, we must do our part by welcoming and accepting our new shepherd with open arms. Let us pray that our new Holy Father will indeed be that good shepherd in the days and years ahead, leading all of us to Jesus: the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Mary C. Uhler, editor

Mailbag

	Mailbag policy We reserve the right to edit or reject letters. Limit letters to 200 words or less. All letters must be signed. Please include your city or town of residence. Send letters to: Mailbag The Catholic Herald P.O. Box 44985 Madison, WI 53744-4985 Fax: 608-821-3071 E-mail: info@madisoncatholicherald.org

Respect teachings, laws, privacy

To the editor:

May God bless Terri Schiavo and may she rest in peace.

A feeding tube, like a ventilator, is defined as a form of artificial life support. Several courts ordered that Ms. Schiavo in fact expressed wishes not to be kept alive artificially and indefinitely, as witnesses said in sworn testimony. Furthermore, Michael Schiavo as Terri's husband is her legal guardian.

In regard to the termination of artificial life support, and who makes the decision, I quote from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which is official church doctrine: "2278 Discontinuing medical procedures that are burdensome, dangerous, extraordinary, or disproportionate to the expected outcome can be legitimate . . . . The decisions should be made by the patient if he is competent and able or, if not, by those legally entitled to act for the patient, whose reasonable will and legitimate interests must always be respected."

I believe in the inherent dignity and privacy rights, as well as the inherent right to liberty of individual human beings. And that liberty includes the right to die without artificial life support, which is consistent with Catholic doctrine.

Just as the church has its official doctrine which governs the Catholic religion, so too does the United States of America have the rule of law. It's time to stop the mob atmosphere of threats toward judges and doctors and respect the teachings of the Catechism, the rulings of the courts, and the privacy - and legal wishes - of individuals making highly personal end-of-life decisions. It's time to practice the peace of Christ.

Robert Toomey, Madison

Letter called 'biased and hearsay'

To the editor:

After reading Judy Winter's letter regarding the Terri Schiavo's "Facts that were suppressed," I thought that somehow I had picked up the National Enquirer by mistake. I have been reading this newspaper for over 40 years and have never witnessed such a biased and hearsay article as this one.

If the facts were true, it would be hard not to believe that authorities would have been involved many years ago. Melting Terri's jewelry and killing her cats . . . come on. Surely, I'm not the only one offended by this "extremely poor taste choice of letters" published.

Mary Whalen, Madison