"Tepid" response to the pope? No thank you to "applause meter".

La Croix.com reports that the bishops responded to the Holy Father's address with "tepid" applause during his apostolic journey to France. The Church does not judge teachers and their teaching by use of the "applause meter".

Benedict reminded his brothers in the episcopacy that they serve not their own preferences; the bishop is a "pontifex", or bridgebuilder, between Christ and His people, and whose role is one of guarding, supporting and nourishing free and unfettered access to the life of grace, the source of hope. Good bishops build good, wide bridges with lanes for all traffic: " Everyone, without exception, must be able to feel at home, and never rejected".

No matter what judgment the world might make of a superficiality like the "applause meter", Benedict is the Successor of Peter, who "strengthens the brethren", and the proper response of faith is one of submission in obedience born of love of the Lord for the sake of the Church.

Roma locuta est, causa finita est. Rome has spoken, the case is closed.

"I comprehend your difficulties, but I do not doubt that you will be able to reach, within reasonable time, solutions which are satisfactory to all, so that the seamless robe of Christ is not torn anymore. No one is excessive within the Church. Everyone, without exception, must be able to feel at home, and never rejected. God, who loves all men and wills that no one be lost, entrusts us with this mission of Pastors, making us Shepherds of His sheep. We can only give Him thanks for the honor and the confidence He places upon us. Let us endeavor to always be servants of unity."

Benedict XVI
Meeting with the Cardinals and Bishops of France,
Hémicycle «Saint Bernadette», Lourdes
September 14, 2008

"Merci beau coups" to rorate-caeli.blogspot.com.

(Photo from Getty Images by AFP/Getty Images.)