Cardinal Ortega: Benedict XVI will firmly guide the Church amidst rampant relativism

Havana, Cuba, May 8, 2005 / 22:00 pm

In a Mass celebrated to mark the beginning of the pontificate of Benedict XVI, the Archbishop of Havana, Cardinal Jaime Ortega, said the new Pope will firmly guide the bark of Peter amidst the cultural and moral nihilism and rampant relativism of today’s world, which is in need of “clear ethical and human guideposts.”

The Cuban cardinal said Benedict XVI is a “passionate seeker of the truth” who will give “humanity the valuable service of clarifying and defining, in addition to firmly guiding the helm of the bark of Peter.”

“He will be a Pontiff who listens, who knows who to work as a team, who does not want to be left alone in the direction of the Church, although he will always have the last word,” he noted.

After wishing the Pope a “happy and fruitful” pontificate, the Archbishop of Havana stated that Benedict XVI “will be sanctified instructing, ruling and governing the Church that the Lord has entrusted to him.”

He recalled that during his first meeting with the Pope, Benedict XVI blessed Cuba, and that therefore “the constant and trusting prayer of the Church will never be lacking” in the country.

Regarding the Holy Father’s personality, Cardinal Ortega remarked that during the inaugural Mass, “I was pleasantly surprised by his humble presentation,” and therefore, he said, “simplicity and humility will surely mark his pontificate.”