Okay, I literally almost spat ice water all over my computer on that one.
Richard | Homepage | 03.01.06 - 3:46 pm | #

Hi, Thomas! :)

I'm reading your post on the "Patriarch of the West" title. Joseph Ratzinger has never been one to make decisions -- particularly theological ones -- without very, very good reasons and lots of thinking, and I have complete trust in his reasons for this landmark decision. To be honest, I agree with you, although I think the title "Patriarch of the World" suits the Popes better than simply "Patriarch of the West", since the Vicar of Christ is truly the shepherd of mankind, and I am sure that the prayers and thoughts of the Popes always include the welfare of every human being.
Lisa | 03.01.06 - 11:06 pm | #

Man, that's what I say. When you're the vicar of Christ, I reckon you can call yourself "patriarch of sailboats," for all the difference it makes.
Kyle | Homepage | 03.02.06 - 5:05 am | #

this IS good news :)
Lorna | Homepage | 03.02.06 - 10:51 am | #

No, it isn't. As I explained earlier, the Pope is Patriarch of the West since the Patriarch of Constantinople is, well, the Patriarch of Constantinople (the same goes for the other three Pentarchs, Jerusalem, Antioch, and Alexandria). As long as he maintains this title, he says "Hey, Bartholomaios, I may be Pope, but at the end of the day, I am still a Patriarch, just I happen to have the Petrine Ministry in addition." If he drops the title, it says something like "Maybe you are a Patriarch - I am THE Pope, and that is so much more!" There goes Primus inter Pares, there goes Primate in Love, there goes Ecumenism with the East. And some people still think this is a friendly sign towards the East... think again!

Did any of you ever visit a Greek Catholic Mass? They usually pray for "Our Holy Father Benedict, Pope of Old Rome and Patriarch of the West". Well, they did use to do that...
Anonymous | 03.02.06 - 11:13 am | #

Despite some validity to the previous comment, I still believe it to be a positive change.
Partiarch of Sailboats... heh heh.
Richard | Homepage | 03.02.06 - 11:24 am | #

Right on!
He already is "Patriarch of the Earth."
Captoe | Homepage | 03.02.06 - 11:45 am | #

Apparently I wasn't that far off, the article I just linked to claims Benedict did this to show the "universality of the papacy."

Patriarch of the Universe, anybody? ;)
AmericanPapist | Homepage | 03.02.06 - 2:22 pm | #

SERVUS SERVORUM DEI !
Gerald Augustinus | Homepage | 03.03.06 - 2:01 pm | #

Thomas,

I can't vote on your poll...my favorite Papal title was/is "Patriarch of the West!" :-(
Jamie | Homepage | 03.03.06 - 2:05 pm | #

I've puzzled a bit about "Patriarch of the West" when it is viewed in conjunction with venerable titles such as Patriarch of Venice and/or Patriarch of Lisbon. Now such puzzles are mooted out.
Gregg the Obscure | Homepage | 03.03.06 - 4:14 pm | #

Pontifex Maximus sounds awfully cool though. Also cool is "the Rock," although that's not an official "title."

Benedict the Rock, Pontifex Maximus.

Yeah, that's way cool.
Bender | 03.03.06 - 5:46 pm | #

Supreme Pontiff of the Universe would have a nice ring to it, but I can live with Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church and Vicar of Christ. When you represent God on earth, that patriarch jazz is a come down. Let's revive one of the old coronation titles: Rector Orbis, ruler of the world. Ah, Boniface VIII would be proud! Unam sanctam, anyone?
Marco, Triumphalistic Papist | 03.04.06 - 3:33 am | #

"Servant of the Servants of God" highlights the nature of apostolic authority as a gift for others, grounded in the notion of grace and forgiveness recieved by Peter, as the Holy Father seems to note in Called to Communion 64-65.
Kyle | Homepage | 03.04.06 - 6:02 am | #

I've always been partial to "servant of the servants of God."

karen marie
Karen Marie Knapp | Homepage | 03.05.06 - 6:02 pm | #

Supreme Pontiff of the Universe? I thought that was George "ah fahnd ohl on mah planet" Bush...
Rogo | 10.24.06 - 7:39 am | #