[Cronos]

It's precisely that stance, others say, that proves Ratzinger is bad news for a church that is rapidly losing parishioners in North America and now risks further alienating young people who don't view pre-marital sex or birth control as sinful.

Rot. youngsters are not looking for wishy-washy groups that say do what you like. That's killed off the ECUSA. But look at the Anglicans in Africa -- they have not compromised and are still going strong. Look at the Orthodox, they haven't compromised either and are still going strong. Ditto for Eastern-rite Catholics. With the PanzerKardinal in charge, I see many Europeans coming back to the conservative fold, I see Asians, Africans and Latin Americans growing in the faith. I would have preferrerd a third world pope, that's true, but Ratzinger's a good choice in my opinion

[SolomoninSouthDakota]

"further alienating young people who don't view pre-marital sex or birth control as sinful."

Now there is a reliable way for leaders to set their values!! Give the untrained what they want! (/sarcasm off)