Priest: Benedict was a great church leader

THE PARISH Priest at St Benedict’s Roman Catholic Church in La Romaine, San Fernando, believes that new Pope Cardinal Ratzinger — Pontiff Benedict XVI — will be a great church leader. Minutes after Ratzinger was elected pope and announced Benedict as his title, Father Patrick Brennan hailed the St Benedict title as one that reflected Ratzinger as a great church leader and reformer of the Catholic Church.

“Now that the new Pope has taken upon himself the name ‘Benedict,’ I hope and pray that he would certainly live the spirit of Benedict. Benedict was a great church leader and a towering great reformer,” Father Brennan said. He added that St Benedict worked for reformation of the Catholic Church. Father Brennan said the name Benedict is as great as the Holy Spirit that walks in the church. “Great name just as the Holy Spirit walks in the church. That name ‘Benedict’ speaks of a great tradition,” Brennan said. Joseph Ratzinger was elected shortly after midday yesterday.