Saturday, April 23 2005 11:33 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kolkata: Notwithstanding his hard-line views, newly elected Pope Benedict XVI will strike a balance between traditional church doctrine and the growing phenomenon of 'Asian Theology' that interprets Christian teachings in the light of other religions, theologians feel.

"I am optimistic that under Pope Benedict XVI, both the traditionalists and Asian Theologians would abandon some of their rigidity and be able to bring about a more balanced and nuanced relationship," Fr Sebastian Karotempril, a renowned theologian and personal acquaintance of Benedict XVI, told sources.

Asian Theology began as a small movement among the clergy since the sixties, taking advantage of the liberalism sweeping the Catholic Church after the Second Vatican Council. It now has a sizeable following, especially in India where almost all major world religions have a presence.

"The Asian Theology examines the age-old Catholic traditions in the light of other religions. It acknowledges that followers of other faiths can also attain salvation provided they live according to their conscience," he said.

During the reign of Pope John Paul-II the Vatican was 'somewhat in confrontation' with Asian Theology although it did not condemn the view outright as it did in the case of Liberation Theology, which interpreted Christianity in the light of Marxism, said Fr Karotempril, a Salesian priest and professor of theology for more than 35 years now.

Fr Karotempril, who taught at institutions like the Pontifical Urbanian University in Rome and Yale University, is personally acquainted with Pope Benedict XVI, having worked with him at the Vatican's International Theological Commission from 1992 to 2002.

At that time, the Pope was known as Cardinal Josef Ratzinger, heading the powerful Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith.

Describing Benedict XVI as a man of towering intellect comparable to St Thomas Acquinas and Cardinal Joseph Newman, Fr Karotempril said as the head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, Cardinal Ratzinger's position had required 'a degree of rigidity' over doctrinal matters.

"But he is also a simple, humble and a saintly person. After assuming the papacy, he has expressed his desire to continue the dialogue with other faiths. So, I expect him to shed some of his rigidity," Fr Karotempril said.

The view was echoed by Fr George Pattery, a Jesuit priest and professor of comparative religion at the Calcutta University, the Visva-Bharati and the North Bengal University.

"Asian Theology will continue. At the same time, I do not think it will be accepted as a mainstream doctrine soon," Fr Pattery, who specialises in hermeneutics (interpretation of scriptures), said.

While acknowledging that the new Pope was known for his hard-line views, Fr Pattery said, "Benedict XVI, however, has recently indicated that he will be more accommodative and open to dialogue with other faiths. So we can hope."