Leaders of religious orders react
in hope to the election

By Sean Gallagher

Leaders of religious orders in the archdiocese who were able to be contacted shortly after the white smoke flowed from the Sistine Chapel expressed hope in reaction to the election of Pope Benedict XVI.

Benedictine Archabbot Justin DuVall was visiting Indianapolis when the election occurred.

In an interview with The Criterion at the Archbishop Edward T. O’Meara Catholic Center, he gave thanks for the election and spoke about the new pope in light of Jesus command to St. Peter in Lk 22:32 to “strengthen your brothers.”

“We are grateful to God for providing a shepherd again for the Church,” he said, “and we look forward to him strengthening all of us in the Catholic faith as the Lord said about St. Peter.”

Archabbot Justin also commented on the fact that the new pope chose the name of Benedict, the founder of the religious order of which he is a member.

“It does conjure up St. Benedict as patron of Europe,” he said. “I wonder if he perhaps is seeing the patronage of St. Benedict over the culture of Europe as an important thing for him.”

Benedictine Sister Carol Falkner, prioress of Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove, also reflected on the Holy Father’s choice of name in her reaction to the election.

“As he bears the name of our founder, St. Benedict, we pray that Pope Benedict XVI may be a man who, through the Holy Spirit, grows in wisdom, listens to all the faithful, and seeks counsel,” she said. “Just as St. Benedict knew when it was important to hold firm and when to adapt, may Pope Benedict seek to find common ground as he responds to the needs of today’s Church and world.”

Providence Sister Margaret Ann O’Hara, general superior of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, offered in the name of her community prayers and hopes for the new pope.

“The Sisters of Providence will certainly be praying for Benedict XVI,” she said. “I hope that the pope will show the same leadership that he did during Vatican Council II. He was very much in the forefront of a lot that came out of Vatican Council II.”

Carmelite Sister Anne Brackman, prioress of the Monastery of St. Joseph in Terre Haute, also spoke of the pope’s role in that council that ended 40 years ago when expressing her hopes for his ministry.

“I see him as someone who will continue the spirit of Vatican II, because he was personally present during the deliberations…”, she said. “He was certainly caught up in the tremendous work of the spirit that Vatican II really was. I believe that he has tried to continue to implement that along with John Paul II.”

In a written statement, Franciscan Sister Jean Marie Cleveland, congregational minister of the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis in Oldenburg conveyed the hopes of the sisters she leads for the Pope Benedict.

“Joined with the Church throughout the world, we congratulate Pope Benedict XVI,” she said. “We ask the Spirit to guide him as he accepts the challenge of his papal responsibilities. We pray with and for him that he will reflect the love of the Shepherd, Jesus, as he ministers to all the faithful regardless of culture, age, conservative or liberal ideals, or differing points of view.”

Little Sister of the Poor Geraldine Harvie, superior of her community based at the St. Augustine Home for the Aged in Indianapolis, said that her sisters were pleased by the election’s outcome and are already praying for Pope Benedict.

“Our sisters are delighted and we feel that our new Holy Father is the right one to follow Pope John Paul II,” she said. “We’re very happy and we feel that the Holy Spirit has acted as always. And we wish him every blessing and every happiness. We feel that he will lead the Church in faith, hope and love.” †