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Date: April 20, 2005 Listening (1:43 - 202.4 KB - 16kbps) BNE: The Roman Catholic Church has a new Pope. Germany’s Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger has been chosen as the 265th Pope and leader of the world’s 1.1 billion Roman Catholics. The 78-year-old German has taken the name Benedict XVI. A lot of people think he will be very traditional and will not make many changes. He is strongly against modern-day concerns such as abortion, homosexuality, gay marriage and contraception. Many Catholics wanted a younger leader who better understands today’s world. Pope Benedict has written over 40 books and can speak ten languages. Immediately after his election, Pope Benedict gave his first address to the world: “Dear brothers and sisters, After the Great Pope John Paul II, the cardinals have elected me, a simple, humble worker in the Lord’s vineyard. I am comforted by the fact that the Lord knows how to work and act even with insufficient instruments. And above all, I entrust myself to your prayers. With the joy of the risen Lord and confidence in his constant help, we will go forward. The Lord will help us, and Mary, his most holy mother, will be alongside us. Thank you.” WARM UPS1. CHAT: Talk in pairs or groups about: Roman Catholic Church / the 265th Pope / 78-year-olds / tradition / homosexuality / gay marriage / abortion / contraception / speaking ten languages / brothers and sisters / prayers… For more conversation, change topics and partners frequently. 2. CATHOLIC BRAINSTORM: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the Catholic Church. Share your words with your partner / group and talk about them. 3. MY RELIGIOUS LEADERS: Talk with your partner about your religious leaders. Who are they? Do you respect them? Do they do good work? Are they loved? Change partners / groups and inform your new partners of what your previous partner told you. Ask the same questions to your new partners. 4. |