European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 22, 2007, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Sunday april 222007 stars and stripes Page 23 religion s influence soon to be Felt in u Benedict poised to name several key us Bishops by Eric Gorski the associated press two years into his reign Pope Benedict Xvi is finally poised to make a major Mark on american catholicism with a string of key Bishop appointments and important decisions about the future of us seminaries and Bishops involvement in politics Benedicts election on april 19 2005 Shook liberals and comforted conservatives who expected a doctrinal hardliner so far they have found an easier hand and one that has not made the United states much of a priority when Benedict has gained at Tention it has mostly been on the world stage focusing on the re christianization of Europe islam and mending relations with orthodox christians he also has stressed Universal themes of Faith and reason the last two years have been much quieter years As far As the papacy is concerned because you have a very different personality than John Paul e said monsignor Robert Wister chairman of the Church history department at Seton Hall University school of theology Many americans were sur Punio Pope Benedict Xvi acknowledges faithful during his weekly general audience in St Peters Square at the Vatican in this March 28 photo two years into his reign Pope Benedict Xvi is finally poised to make a major Mark on american catholicism with a string of key Bishop appointments and important decisions about the future of us seminaries and Bishops involvement in politics happily some Dis appointed that he did not turn into the pit Bull of Dogma he is taking a very pastoral approach and i think people resonate very positively with that yet americas turn May be coming at the top of the list is a looming generational shift among the nations Bishops whose Deci Sions at the local level greatly affect catholics in the pews and can carry National weight for in stance Church leaders recently closed parishes in Boston and new York while the St Louis archbishop has clashed with a heavily polish Parish Over control of its assets key appointments Are expected in new York Baltimore and Detroit where cardinals have reached retirement age 75 and in the next two years appoint ments Are expected in five other smaller dioceses notes George Weigel a Catholic theologian and John Paul n biographer then there is the potential rip ple some Bishops move to larger cities then they too must be replaced at the end of these two years we will see what the enduring Impact of this pontificate on the leadership of the us Church will be Weigel said so far Benedict has appointed former Pittsburgh Bishop Donald Wuerl to the prestigious washing ton do archdiocese and he chose former san Francisco Arch Bishop William Levada As his Suc Cessor to head the congregation for the doctrine of the Faith the Vatican doctrinal watchdog Levada is the highest ranking Amer ican Ever at the Vatican while faithful to Rome neither Man has a Hartline reputation Wuerl for instance has re fused to withhold communion from Catholic legislators who sup port Legal abortion Levada has strongly affirmed traditional Catholic teachings while Shep herding flocks in Liberal cities san Francisco and fore that Benedict has tended to appoint people who Are moderate who Are Good teachers Good communicators and pastoral said the Rev Thomas Reese a senior fellow at the Woodstock theological Center at Georgetown univer sity John Paul n was appointing people who frankly were kind of i your face who were More aggressive and liked playing cop he said these Guys dont want to do that there More conciliators than fighters the Rev Richard John Neu Haus editor of the Catholic Jour Nal first things predicted that for the major posts that lie ahead Benedict will appoint Bishops who Are vibrantly orthodox and Strong communicators Neuhaus dismisses suggestions that conservative catholics such As himself Are disappointed that Benedict has not been tougher and derides Media portrayals of the Pope transforming himself from gods Rottweiler to kindly Uncle there is no evidence whatsoever he has changed his judg ment on anything of consequence the last two years Neuhaus said he is a gentle thoughtful Pater Nal firm and Loving person the Man you see for those of us who knew Ratzinger Over the last 25 years there were no surprises at All Rock albums focus on changed lives by Brian Bowers stars and stripes Christian rockers aim a lot of lyrics at coming undone or shedding selfishness fear Addic Tion Pride pain or anything else that blocks out god the struggle comes through clearly on new discs by veterans seventh Day slumber and newcomers Jackson Waters seventh Day slumber launched a modern Rock assault with 2005s once upon a shattered life which earned it a Dove nomination from the gospel music association with finally awake the band Steps Back Ever so slightly from the hard Edge presented on shattered life today Praise the album opens Strong with awake which urges turning from airbrushed magazines to real life a bit of screaming accents last regret about ditch ing a life that Only god himself could change a reference to frontman Joseph Rojas unsavoury past growling guitars drive my Only Hope which describes crying out for something More however the new disc also demonstrates a greater Reliance on acoustic guitars and softer vocals from Rojas undone is a prayer on behalf of someone who shut god out of his life always is Rojas prom ise to his son to provide guidance support and witness for god every saturday describes the confusion and emptiness left by a death the disc delivers a message of Hope and returning to god after slipping away it offers a solid set of tracks even though it Doest quite Rise to the level of the Superb once upon a shattered life the Poprock band Jackson Waters titled its debut cd come in done and followed through with a focus on changing lives the band fronted by David Leonard got a big break last novem Ber when the song Center of at Tention was used on the to drama one tree Hill the song is a slow reflective piece that promises to wait for someone to change their self entered ways Jackson Waters quickly became myspace and itunes Darlings in March come undone debuted strongly on billboards heat seek ers Chart the attention was Worth it the disc opens assertively with Dif Ferent which describes a search for 4qye and Rescue the Catchy Rocker give me amazing Grace describes gods amazing love and forgiveness two of the Best songs on the disc Are actually ballads Jamies song dreams of a better life and one More Day encourages a Friend to hold one despite discouraging prob lems Overall the disc offers a Good mix of Rock and ballads that offer Hope and encouragement to let god undo the angst binding up modern life on the web   today Praise is a Roundup of news and reviews from the contemporary Chris Tian music Industry photos Courtesy of tooth Nail records seventh Day slumbers new album finally awake is somewhat less aggressive than its Dove nominated predecessor