And so it begins...

Unfortunately predictably, as soon as Pope Benedict (Latin for blessing) XVI was introduced, the usual suspects came to mark their disapproval...

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany, the church's leading hard-liner (AP)

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, whose strong defence of Catholic orthodoxy has earned him a variety of sobriquets — including “the enforcer”, “the panzer cardinal” and “God’s rottweiler” (London Times)

New pope a conservative who divided Germans (AP)

And so the Catholic church accelerates its turn toward authoritarianism, hostility to modernity, assertion of papal supremacy and quashing of internal debate and dissent (Andrew Sullivan)

In the Vatican, he has been the driving force behind crackdowns on liberation theology (CNN)

Those being amongst many others. As a Catholic I find the selection of Benedict XVI to be inspired and a smart choice, he is intelligent and thoughtful. I find it disturbing to read the self-righteous rants of those who wish the church to fit their own beliefs so quick to disparrage a kind and devoted man of faith who believes in and is a true man of the church.