<strong>Passionist</strong> Life - Special Events34“…with faith, trust and joy.”Shortly after the election of Joseph CardinalRatzinger as Pope Benedict XVI, our SuperiorGeneral, Fr. Ottaviano D'Egidio, wrote to HisHoliness on behalf of the Congregation to offer hisbest wishes and prayers:To the Holy Father His Holiness Benedict XVIThe Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ,all the men and women religious and the laity of the<strong>Passionist</strong> Family have received the announcementof the election of your Holiness as Successor to Peterwith faith, trust and joy.We assure you of our filial obedience and of ourprayer that you will guide the Church in your role ofFather and Pastor according to the designs establishedby Providence, even in deep and troubledwaters, certain of the presence of Jesus with you inthe boat and of the living wind of the Spirit of Truthin the sails: "The Holy Spirit whom the Father willsend in my name, will teach you everything."(Jn.14:26)We fondly recall your presence and the homilythat you preached when you presided at the concelebratedEucharist on the feast of our Founder, St. Paulof the Cross, in the Basilica of Sts. John and Paul inRome, during our General Synod of 1992, a visit thatwe hope you will repeat as Supreme Pontiff. Wealso happily remember your summer visits to celebratedaily Eucharist at our community residence inRegensburg.Holiness, as we extend our sincere best wishes foryour Supreme Apostolic Ministry, we want to assureyou of our filial devotion and obedience as we kissthe ring of the Fisherman.May the Passion of Jesus Christ be always in ourhearts!Fr. Ottaviano D'Egidio CPSuperior GeneralPiazza Ss. Giovanni e Paolo, 13 - 00184 RomaIn response to the Superior General's letterof congratulations, Fr. Ottaviano receivedthe following response:SEGRETARIA DI STATO_______PRIMA SEZIONEAFFARI GENERALIThe Vatican, 28th April, 2005N. 7Reverend Father,His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI hasreceived your message, in which you, in thename of the Family of <strong>Passionist</strong> Religious,expressed your affectionate good wishes onoccasion of his holiness' elevation to theChair of Peter, assuring him of your specialprayers for the success of his universal ministry.The Holy Father, who appreciates this gestureof devout homage, would like toexpress his deep-felt gratitude by grantingyou and all who have been joined with youin your expression of filial veneration hisApostolic Blessing as a sign of abundantheavenly graces.I avail myself of this occasion to convey mysincere esteem of Your Most ReverendPaternity.Fraternally in the Lord† Leonardo SandriSostituto_____________________Fr. OTTAVIANO D’EGIDIO, CPSuperior General of the <strong>Passionist</strong>sPiazza Ss. Giovanni e Paolo, 13 - 00184Roma
<strong>Passionist</strong> Life - Special EventsFr. Laurentino Novoa, C.P. of the Spanish FAM Province, is a former student of the Holy Father. He iscurrently a theology professor in the "Centro Regional de Estudios Teológicos" of Aargón. He first metPope Benedict XVI in 1969 when the latter was a professor of theology in the University of Regensburg(Ratisbona), in Germany. It was during the period that his friendship began with the Pontiff, a relationshipthat has continued to the present day. Below we offer a part of the interview that was conductedwith Fr. Laurentino on 21 May 2005, in the diocesan center of Teruel, Spain.--What is your relationship with the current Pope Benedict XVI?I met Joseph Ratzinger in 1969 at the University of Regensburg where he taught dogmatic theology.Apart from my relationship with him as a professor, I also developed a close friendship with him whenhe built his residence near where we students lived in the <strong>Passionist</strong> community of Bavaria, and sincewe were neighbors, a strong friendship developed. As a matter of fact, even in 1977 when he wasnamed bishop of Munich, he would always return to Regensburg to celebrate Mass in our chapel andhave breakfast with us. Then in 1981, Pope John Paul II called him to Rome as Prefect of theCongregation for the Faith, one of the most important congregations of the Church.--Have you had any kind of contact with him since he was elected Pope?Naturally, I wrote to congratulate him. I would have liked to have participated in his inaugural Mass.Our relationship is that we know each other and we have a certain friendship, but it is also a relationshipwith our community, a very close relationship. Benedict XVI proved wrong the saying that he whoenters the Conclave as "Pope" will exist as "Cardinal". Those of us, who have known Ratzinger well,never thought that he would have been elected, because he is a man of great simplicity. Theology andthe intellectual life involving study and reflection on the Christian Faith is what he really enjoys. Ibelieve that he had really hoped to retire. On the other hand, he has never been a man who had politicalambitions, and because of this we thought that he would do everything possible not to be elected.Therefore, for believers this is one more proof that this is an act of God. Although for me his nominationhas been has been a source of great joy, I have to honestly say that I was surprised.-- There has been a lot of talk about his talents. Does what is reported in the press coincide with whatyou know of Ratzinger?I don't believe so and the proof is that since he was electedsuccessor of St. Peter people have had a very goodimpression of him, in particular they are impressed byhis simplicity, his style preaching, etc. I think that themedia has presented a very distorted view of him and thereason for this may be due to the mission that he has carriedout for the Church. Ratzinger had to work to maintainthe authenticity and the purity of the Faith and thismeans making decisions that not everyone likes.--In his decision-makings thus far, has he set any standardsfor the Church?John Paul II and Benedict XVI are two very differentpeople, although they shared a great friendship and werein spiritual harmony. Regarding matters of doctrine,ethics and morality I don't believe that there will bemany changes because the Pope has strong moral convictions.Nevertheless, in other areas he will surelymake some positive changes.Fr. Laurentino Novoa (FAM)35