Local Catholic community not surprised by papal selection

By Joey Hislop

April 25, 2005 | LOGAN -- In an informal question-and-answer session Wednesday night at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, Father Clarence Sandoval answered questions from non-Catholics and Catholics alike on topics ranging from the selection of a new pope to basic theological issues such as prayer, confession and church hierarchy.

The session was put on by the Newman Club, a club for Catholic students at USU, and was held in the wake of the selection of Pope Benedict XVI. The group of 20 to 30 attendees featured a mix of Catholics and LDS, men and women, young and old.

Although diverse in topic, the majority of the questions dealt with the papacy, how a pope is chosen, and Pope Benedict XVI's stance on issues facing the Catholic Church today.

When asked about his reaction to the new pope, Father Sandoval said he wasn't surprised.

"He's so theologically related to John Paul II," Father Sandoval said. "John Paul II depended heavily upon him for morals and doctrine. Many of the cardinals that selected the new pope were actually selected by John Paul II, so they have something in common."

The majority of the theological enquiries came from the LDS students in the group and were answered by Father Sandoval with the aid of Campus Minister Jen Kennedy, who was also in attendance. They explained to the group the step-by-step process of mourning the loss of the deceased pope, the ensuing conclave in which the new pope is chosen by a vote of the cardinals, and the two-thirds majority required for a new pope to be chosen.

When asked about his emotional reaction to the selection of Cardinal Ratzinger, Father Sandoval said he was just happy to have a new pope.

"I'm just happy we have someone," he said."At the same time there's a sense of hopefulness because we don't know what the spirit has in store for us with this man."

Nick George, president of the Newman Club, asked Father Sandoval why he became a priest. He then went on to explain the sequence of events that led him to the priesthood and to Logan.

"I was serving in the Peace Corps in southern Africa," Father Sandoval said. "In Africa there are very few distractions, so you have a lot of quiet moments to reflect. I realized I had been given a lot, I wanted to give something back." He said he abandoned his pursuit of a master's degree in clinical psychology and went into the seminary. After five years of seminary he was ordained a priest and has served in that capacity for 18 years now.

For those interested in attending, the church is at 795 N. 800 East. Sunday Masses are at 9 and 11:30 a.m. in English, with a Spanish Mass at 2 p.m. Coffee and doughnuts are served downstairs in the social hall between the morning Masses, and child care is also available then.

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