Pope Benedict's Right-Hand Woman

[Panis_Angelicas]

Good. Now that we’ve settled this matter, I’ve got toilets to scrub.
Yes, I left my lowly position as personal assistant/secretary many moons ago, in order to become a

cook, dishwasher, laundress, toilet scrubber.

…obviously a lateral transfer, in some folks’ eyes.

Peace!

 

[dwc]

Hey, I haven’t left my out of home position, and I’m still a laundress, toilet scrubber, cook, cleaning woman … it’s not mutually exclusive.

And, I didn’t see this before:

Perhaps you’ve never had a secretary/personal assistant. If you had, I think you would value their skills, intellect, and service far more than you’ve expressed in this thread.

Actually, I’ve had numerous secretaries over the years, and I have two right now . I do value them greatly and they are definitely a part of the team. However, I wouldn’t refer to them as did the article, as brain trusts and counselors. Those words, to me, encompass more than the role any of my secretaries/personal assistants have played. I’m sure in different fields and different offices things may be different.

 

[Panis_Angelicas]

dwc:

Hey, I haven’t left my out of home position, and I’m still a laundress, toilet scrubber, cook, cleaning woman … it’s not mutually exclusive.

Agreed, it’s not mutually exclusive. But in this instance - ascribing those duties to the Holy Father’s personal assistant, seemingly for the purpose of downplaying what others thought of her, was objectionable.

I

Actually, I’ve had numerous secretaries over the years, and I have two right now . I do value them greatly and they are definitely a part of the team. However, I wouldn’t refer to them as did the article, as brain trusts and counselors. Those words, to me, encompass more than the role any of my secretaries/personal assistants have played.

Wow, you seem to have a lot of experience with secretaries. Have you switched jobs a lot, or do you just go through secretaries fast? I know that sounds like a slam, but I’m sorry…I know that those who don’t find job satisfaction or appreciation tend to move on to greener pastures. When one has a gem of boss, most secretaries would walk through fire for her boss…I’ll bet Benedict XVI is the best of bosses, hence the long-standing loyalty between those two.

I’m sure in different fields and different offices things may be different.

Agreed. I think the personal assistant of a cardinal or pope would entail a great deal of trustworthiness and virtue. How fortunate the Holy Father is to have an assistant who knows him well, in whom he can confide or consult, and who probably knows him well enough to be trusted with his personal preferences in a variety of situations. That’s what I think of when I hear “brain trust” or “counsel.” I imagine that she is a very articulate, efficient, and responsible in handling a diverse array of duties each and every day, and in whose abilities and expertise the Holy Father has utmost confidence.

What I don’t see is a need to embellish to the point of thinking that this individual is somehow either the co-pilot of the Vatican, or a toilet scrubber.

By that sort of logic, we all must either be “for” women’s ordination or want to keep women barefoot and pregnant.

There are levels between the two extremes.

 

[chicago]

I wonder if she’ll regularly be seen at the side of Benedict (and even in the popemobile) as was Bishop Dziewitz with John Paul.

 

[Listener]

I am really curious about his situation. When Pope John Paul II was still alive, I called our Archdiocesan Office to get some information about seeing the Pope when visiting Rome. The person I talked to told me that women are NEVER allowed to enter the Papal Apartments. Apparently all of the people that attended to him were men. She said that the bishop had gone on a trip to Rome to see the Pope, along with a group of people who worked at the Archdiocesan Office. The men in the group got to go inside Pope John Paul II’s apartments, but the women were not allowed to do so because of that rule. I suppose it was so that the Pope could not be accused of scandal. If this woman is a housekeeper, then I’m wondering if this rule is just something that Pope John Paul II wanted for himself? Does anybody know anything about this?

 

[Sarah_Jane]

According to this Internet site, the secretary of the Pope is Georg Ganswein.

catholicpressphoto.com/servizi/22-04-2005-nuovi-segretari/default.htm

 

[Panis_Angelicas]

If you enjoyed Rocco Palma’s Beliefnet article on Benedict’s "Right Hand Woman, you might enjoy his blog.

This article gives a bit of insight on Ingrid Stampa, the Holy Father’s personal assistant. She has worked as his housekeeper and cook for 14 years, and is very familiar with his personal preferences. She’s also an accomplished musician and has translated several of Pope John Paul II’s books into German. Her account of the announcement of Cardinal Ratzinger as the newly elected pope is heartwarming.

 

[chicago]

So does anybody know anything about Fr. Georg?

Pope Benedict sure does wear awesome mitres.

 

[Amadeus]

If Stampa is Pope Benedict’s right-hand-woman, she is in effect the Pope’s “Girl Friday!”:yup:

In addition, she’s also the Pope’s corner, where she says yes! to all His Holiness’ comments and observations.

Therefore, she is trusted by Pope Benedict XVI to the heavens!

It’s hard to replace her.

 

[Amadeus]

If Stampa is Pope Benedict’s right-hand-woman, she is in effect the Pope’s “Girl Friday!”:yup:

In addition, she’s also the Pope’s corner, where she says yes! to all His Holiness’ comments and observations.

Therefore, she is trusted by Pope Benedict XVI to the heavens!

It’s hard to replace her.:tsktsk:

 

[otm]

tuopaolo:

I agree with dwc and I would go further and say that she doesn’t seem really to be an advisor but just – as the article acknowledges wire reports to describe her as – a housekeeper and also a secretary. There’s nothing new or unusual about woman housekeepers and woman secretaries.

I think the article is trying to make news where there isn’t any.

Did you actually read the article?

Former professor;

Advanced degree;

Speaks three languages.

Housekeeper? Riiight!!!

 

[otm]

tuopaolo:

I agree with dwc and I would go further and say that she doesn’t seem really to be an advisor but just – as the article acknowledges wire reports to describe her as – a housekeeper and also a secretary. There’s nothing new or unusual about woman housekeepers and woman secretaries.

I think the article is trying to make news where there isn’t any.

Did you actually read the article?

Former professor;

Advanced degree;

Speaks three languages.

Housekeeper? Riiight!!!

 

[starlight]

Am I the only one who can see this???!!

She came into his employ in 1991, coincidently the same time he said he first wanted to retire…In the article the new Pope Benedict XVI said “God wanted it this way. Let us both follow the will of God”…almost as if the both had “other plans together”!

Secretary…housekeeper…advisor…I wonder what else she does for him.

 

[Sarah_Jane]

starlight:

Am I the only one who can see this???!!

She came into his employ in 1991, coincidently the same time he said he first wanted to retire…In the article the new Pope Benedict XVI said “God wanted it this way. Let us both follow the will of God”…almost as if the both had “other plans together”!

Secretary…housekeeper…advisor…I wonder what else she does for him.

This charge is ridiculous.

 

[shannin]

dwc:

Well, according the article, she is a former university professor who holds an advanced degree, speaks 3 languages and translates and “ghostwrites” for him. That’s hardly the stuff of a housekeeper. I’m thinking he has her in the housekeeper/ live in personal assistant role because in our church hierarchy there isn’t any other accepted place for a woman. I think advisor is the appropriate term for her, I just don’t think that this signals any widespread change in the roles of women or laity in the church.

University professor? Advanced degree? Speaks 3 languages? Ghostwrites for him? WOW - she’s an advisor indeed. I’m impressed

Shannin

 

[shannin]

Sarah Jane:

This charge is ridiculous.

You are right, Sara Jane. This person is a troublemaker. We shouldn’t respond. If the charges continue, I will report her/him.

Shannin

 

[starlight]

Now hold on there fellow forum members…I am NOT a troublemaker. I did not violate any rules of the forum, it’s just an opinion. Or can’t you take a differing viewpoint so you want to censore other people who disagree with you.
All right I admit the “what else she does for him” was out of line and I’m sorry for that.
Let see…she started with him at the age of about 40 or 41, still quite young, a lay woman who has never been married, sharing the same interests, working with him I can see how she might become infatuated. He’s been petitioning JPII to retire 3 times since she came onboard with him. It might be an unpopular viewpoint but you have to admit it is a possibility. Maybe I’m not the only one who sees it that way, but so far I’m the only one who has the nerve to express it. And yes, women do fall in love with clergymen, even cardinals I suppose.
I consider myself to be a faithful Catholic and I truly love our new Holy Father. But quite honestly I can’t understand the fascination with this woman.There is nothing she can do that a man can’t do for him. Speaking as a woman myself, I just think it’s inappropriate for a woman to be in a working position that is so close to a clergyman as his confidante. (I know that’s going to be an unpopular comment with you feminist-types). When people are in close proximity things can happen. I didn’t say DID happen I said CAN happen.
I didn’t come to this forum to deliberately “ruffle any feathers” and if I offended anyone I apologise for that. And believe me, NOTHING would make me happier than to be totally wrong.

 

[Marianne_M]

Why do people automatically think there is something unsavory going on as soon as 2 X chromosomes are in proximity to an X and a Y - particularly if the latter wears a Roman collar. It says more about you that it does about them. Now, those Schoenstatt Sisters, they are a phenomenal bunch. No surprise that one of them has his trust.

 

[Marianne_M]

starlight:

She came into his employ in 1991, coincidently the same time he said he first wanted to retire…

You forget to mention that Ingrid Stampa replaces the Pope’s sister, Maria, who was his housekeeper since 1981. His sister is died in 1991.

 

[Lisa_N]

starlight:

Now hold on there fellow forum members…I am NOT a troublemaker. I did not violate any rules of the forum, it’s just an opinion. Or can’t you take a differing viewpoint so you want to censore other people who disagree with you.
All right I admit the “what else she does for him” was out of line and I’m sorry for that.

Honestly, why on earth would you come up with such an unsupportable innuendo? First you say you’re sorry then go on to speculate further…

starlight:

Let see…she started with him at the age of about 40 or 41, still quite young, a lay woman who has never been married, sharing the same interests, working with him I can see how she might become infatuated. He’s been petitioning JPII to retire 3 times since she came onboard with him. It might be an unpopular viewpoint but you have to admit it is a possibility…

I don’t think it’s a possibility at all. Good grief.

starlight:

I didn’t come to this forum to deliberately “ruffle any feathers” and if I offended anyone I apologise for that. And believe me, NOTHING would make me happier than to be totally wrong.

A) you are wrong and B) there is a really good thread on CA etiquette that you might look over before posting again.

I see you are brand new and I think you get benefit of the doubt. But quite honestly what you’ve inferred about the Pope is both offensive and unsupported by anything but an overactive imagination.

Lisa N