ROUND-UP: POPE BENEDICT XVI (continued)
We've added the following to items posted previously at http://profnet.prnewswire.com/organik/orbital/thewire/lst_leads.jsp?iLRTopicID =9031
**1. SISTER ANGELA ANN ZUKOWSKI, M.H.S.H., director of the Institute for Pastoral Initiatives at the UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON, is the first woman with voting privileges on the Pontifical Council for Social Communication at the Vatican and has met Ratzinger at the Vatican: "In my heart of hearts, I was hoping the Catholic Church would make a turn toward Latin America, Africa or Asia, so we would have a more global perspective on diversity and the concerns of the church. Because he was a confidant of John Paul II, Benedict XVI will be able to keep John Paul II's vision dominant. Benedict XVI probably will continue that vision with a few twists. If you look at [Ratzinger's] writings around Vatican II, they were liberal. Then as time went on, his writings turned more conservative. That was about the time he saw a movement away from the church. Only time will tell how Benedict XVI will do. We should give whoever becomes pope a moment of grace and time to carry out his plan. He is truly humble, spiritual, loves the church and wants to hold it together. It is this part of Benedict XVI that we need to affirm and support."
**2. TERRENCE TILLEY, professor of religious studies at the UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON: "One cannot predict what they will do after they become pope on the basis of what they did before. But we can expect that he will continue the policies of his predecessor with whom he worked quite closely. The rejection of the change in doctrine and discipline will continue. The accelerating centralization of authority in Rome and the removal of authority from bishops individually and in national conferences will likely continue. Where John Paul II was a charismatic figure appealing to the young, Benedict XVI is neither charismatic nor obviously interested in youth. Where John Paul II was especially open to Eastern Orthodox churches, Islam and Judaism, Benedict XVI will likely seek rapport with Protestants, as he was instrumental in fostering the Lutheran-Roman Catholic accord on justification. Where John Paul had been a pastor, an activist and the bishop of a diocese, Benedict has been an academic and curial official -- his pastoral experience is minimal."
**3. DENNIS DOYLE is a professor of religious studies at UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON and author of "The Church Emerging from Vatican II: A Popular Approach to Contemporary Catholicism: "The first thing on his job description is to carry the gospel to the modern world. Cardinal Ratzinger comes to the scene when the world has radically different priorities than it did in 1978 when Pope John Paul II was elected, and the new pope will have to find a way to address these issues. Benedict XV (1914-1922) was a moderate consensus builder. And Cardinal Ratzinger is somebody who is well known by all the cardinals, who has an excellent reputation as an intellectual, a linguist and one who has a striking personality. The Catholic Church has experienced a lot of difficulties in recent years, especially in the United States with the sexual abuse crisis, but all this interest in the papacy in recent weeks has helped us put a focus on other deeper aspects of Catholicism."
**4. FATHER JIM HEFT, S.M. is chancellor and professor of faith and culture at the UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON and editor of "Beyond Violence: Religious Sources for Social Transformation in Judaism, Christianity and Islam": "His election is a surprise to me. I didn't expect it. It's hard for a person entrusted with keeping the faith orthodox not to look like the 'bad guy.' But he is in a new role now, and perhaps his vision will extend beyond his post as head supervisor of doctrine. I like the signal given by the name he chose -- Benedict XV was a moderating papal presence. He could have chosen John Paul III, but didn't. People should keep an open mind. As my mother used to say to me as a kid, 'time will tell.'"
**5. PATRICK BASHAM, senior fellow at the CATO INSTITUTE, is available to discuss the Vatican's influence on U.S. Catholic voters: "The contemporary Catholic vote is now the most important swing vote in American politics. In the modern era, Catholics are the bellwether voters: as go Catholics, so goes the nation. Since 1972, they have always cast their votes for the popular vote winner. The selection of a new pope will reverberate throughout American politics on issues such as abortion, euthanasia, gay rights, the faith-based initiative, judicial nominations and stem-cell research."
_____LEADS
**1. BEHAVIOR: AIR FRESHENERS AS A CAR SAFETY DEVICE. BRYAN RAUDENBUSH, associate professor of psychology at WHEELING JESUIT UNIVERSITY in Wheeling, W.V., recently conducted a study on the use of air fresheners as a car safety device: "Generally speaking, a car freshener can be a safety device in a car. Drivers were more alert and experienced less fatigue when the scent of pine was added to the car interior. Drivers also demonstrated a decreased level of anger and improved overall driving performance when exposed to strawberry and pine scents."
**2. PARENTING: FIGHT CHILDHOOD OBESITY WITH TV TURNOFF WEEK. SUSAN OKIE, author of "Fed Up! Winning The War Against Childhood Obesity," hopes parents will embrace TV Turnoff Week (April 25-May 1): "Carefully limiting your children's 'screen time' is one of the most effective things you can do to reduce their obesity risk. Researchers found that reducing the amount of time kids spent weekly watching TV was associated with lower obesity rates. Turning off the TV works in multiple ways to protect kids. It makes them more likely to be physically active. It may help to limit the 'unconscious' snacking that kids do while watching TV. It reduces their exposure to commercials for high- calorie food and drink."
**3. PARENTING: TRAVELING SAFELY WITH CHILDREN THIS SUMMER. SHARON MULLEN, mom and founder of INVENTIVE PARENT: "Many children are killed each year because they aren't properly restrained while traveling in motor vehicles. Given that summer is approaching and more parents will be on the road with their children, parents need to take extra precautions to ensure their little ones are properly restrained, and the laws that apply in each state traveled will be followed."
**4. RELATIONSHIPS: RELATIONSHIPS AND THE SINGLE MOM. DR PEPPER SCHWARTZ. Ph.D., author, relationship expert and professor at the UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, can discuss how traditional holidays, such as Mother's Day, often present unusual challenges: "Single moms face a very different experience on Mother's Day. What do you get a single mother on Mother's Day? Perhaps what she really wants is grown-up companionship and to love again. Single mothers may find it daunting to embark on a new relationship, particularly when the well-being of her children is a major consideration. When the bar scene isn't appropriate and well-meaning friends run out of blind-date options, how do single mothers meet a quality man?"
**5. SHOPPING: FLOWERING PLANTS -- A GREAT MOTHER'S DAY GIFT. MICHAEL BOURKE of JONES THE FLORIST in Cincinnati can address just what to look for in buying mom's plant this year: "Flowering plants are one of the most popular gifts for mothers -- they're springy, vibrant and the ideal gift for the hard-to-buy-for mom. But kids and husbands should know how to choose a plant that Mom will appreciate. What's hot this year? Which plants bloom the longest? Which plants are best for transplanting to the garden? What plants are perennial versus annual? How should you take care of your flowering plants?"
**6. TRAVEL: PROPER TIRE MAINTENANCE IMPORTANT DURING THE SUMMER. DONALD SHEA, president and CEO of the RUBBER MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION, can discuss tire safety in accordance with National Tire Safety Week: "According to our survey, only 15 percent of drivers properly check their tire inflation pressure. Consumers need to be reminded about basic tire care practices. Properly inflated tires maximize safety, improve fuel economy and will help tires last longer."
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