Cardinal Ouellet - One to Watch

Here is an inspirational story of an Anglican journalist's personal encounter with Cardinal Marc Ouellet, recently appointed prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

I've heard other similar stories in which the Canadian cardinal has touched those he's met. On the couple of occasions I've interviewed him, I've noticed a distinct inner peace and an ability to combine a sense of authority without any sense of being judgemental - some signs, to me at least, of genuine holiness.

For some years now, I've been saying he's a possible future Pope. He's certainly someone to watch.

Holy Stairs Defaced

Vandals have defaced the entrance to the Scala Sancta in Rome, scrawling insults against the Pope.

Rome has a serious problem with graffiti, often painted on some of the city's most beautiful and sacred buildings. So although this is very depressing, it's not so surprising.

Rabbi Rosen Welcomes Appointment of Bishop Koch

It's too early of course to say how Bishop Kurt Koch, the new president of the Pontifical Commission for Relations with Jews, will deal with the thorny issue of Catholic-Jewish relations.

But a good omen is that one of Judaism's foremost interlocutors with the Church, Rabbi David Rosen, is pleased with the Holy Father's appointment. His statement reads:

The AJC congratulates Bishop Kurt Koch of Switzerland on his appointment by Pope Benedict XVI's as successor to Cardinal Walter Kasper, giving him the leadership responsibility for the Vatican's relations with the Jewish People as well as with non-Catholic Christians.

"Bishop Koch has a fine record of deep friendship with the Swiss Jewish community as well as profound commitment to the singular religious and historical nature of the Church's relationship with Judaism and Jewry " declared Rabbi David Rosen, AJC's International Director of Interreligious Affairs. He added "accordingly we warmly welcome this appointment and look forward to a close working relationship with Bishop Koch.

In truth, what usually upsets the Jews rarely - if ever - comes from the joint commission, but it still helps that they have someone in the Vatican to confide in when relations pass through a rocky patch, as they no doubt will again.