The near universal celebration of Joseph Ratzinger's election as Pope Benedict XVI Tuesday was no different in Butler County.

Catholic clergymen who returned calls to the Butler Eagle spoke glowingly both about the swiftness of the decision and theological acuity of the man chosen.

The Rev. Matthew Tosello of St. Christopher at the Lake Roman Catholic Church in Prospect said he expected his parish to be accepting of the new pope.

"He is the right party to know where the church stands," he said. He is an intellectual pope with experience as a university professor, added Tosello, and he has a good understanding of how the churches work in places like India, Latin America and America.

While Catholics are accepting someone who is 78 years old and "not the pope of their grandchildren," they will find comfort in his leadership, Tosello said.

"There is security in his doctrine, vision and theology," he said.

The Rev. John Getsy, pastor of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Cabot, called Tuesday "an exciting day."

"I believe most Catholics have trust that the choice had the guidance of the Holy Spirit," Getsy said. "The cardinals prayed and according to their conscience, this is the one God has provided as pope."

Getsy said he feels Benedict XVI is especially qualified for the job because of his admiration for and work with the late Pope John Paul II.

"He has a knowledge of the operation of the Church, and I think it will be a smooth transition. I am very happy that it has taken so short a time, and our prayers are with him," Getsy said.

The Rev. Doug Lorance of St. Michael's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Lyndora said he's excited about the appointment of the new pope.

"He's a very scholarly individual and will add a lot to the leadership of the church," said Father Lorance.

"You're going to know where he stands. We have a good leader, one that is gentle, but firm. We need a firm foundation to show us (the church) where we're going," said Father Lorance.

The Rev. James Murphy of St. Fidelis Roman Catholic Church in Meridian said he was not at all surprised by the selection of Ratzinger, who he thinks will continue the theology of Pope John Paul II.

The top theologian under Pope John Paul II, Ratzinger will now try to unify the church by connecting the people spiritually, Murphy said.

The Rev. Joseph Newell of St. Ferdinand Roman Catholic Church in Cranberry Township said his congregation was enthusiastic about the news.

We're thrilled it went so quickly. It's an answer to all our prayers and I'm quite confident he's the one the Holy Spirit wanted us to have at this time."

In Freeport, the Rev. Thomas Federline, pastor of St. Mary Catholic Church, said he's happy with the selection of Ratzinger as the new pope as he's expected to carry on the policies of Pope John Paul II.

"We're pleased because he's of the same philosophical mold," Federline said.

The Rev. David DeWitt of Mater Dolorosa Roman Catholic Church and St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, both in Chicora, said divine guidance was instrumental in the selection.

"We trust and believe in the process and that the Holy Spirit was guiding the Cardinals and that they were inspired by the Holy Spirit. The Cardinals used the process set in place and we should rejoice and be happy with the new Holy Father," DeWitt said.

"He was chosen by God and is now the person with the awesome responsibility of guiding the church."

Eagle staff writers Kris Miller, Paula Grubbs, Bob Schultz, Adam Fabian and Tom Victoria contributed to this report.