Habemus Papam, we have a new Pope!
Who is Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI?
Biographical
- Birth Date: April 16, 1927
- Age: 78 this past Saturday
- Birth Place: Marktl am Inn, Bavaria, Germany
- Early life: Son of a staunch anti-Nazi police officer, unwilling Hitler Youth member and Wehrmacht soldier during WWII until he deserted in 1944.
- Health: I heard a snippet on Fox News that the new Pope is in generally good health for a man of his age, with high blood pressure the only concern. But I couldn't find any additional references for this.
Church Career
- Ordained: June 29, 1951
- Vatican II: Chief theological expert, to Cardinal Joseph Frings of Cologne, Germany
- Bishop: Named archbishop of Munich and Freising in 1977
- Cardinal: Named a Cardinal by Pope Paul VI in June 1977
- Vatican Assignments: Appointed prefect of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith (formerly known as the Holy Office of the Inquisition!) in 1981 by Pope John Paul II, elected Dean of the College of Cardinals in 2002.
Issues
As Cardinal Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI was considered the bad cop to Pope John Paul II's good cop, enforcing adherence to doctrine. He even engaged in a famous Ratzinger-Kasper debate which exposed the natural tension between Ratzinger's Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith and Cardinal Kasper's Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.
It remains to be seen what he will do as Pope, but here are some of his positions up to this point.
- Abortion and Euthanasia: "Grave sin"
- Priestly Celibacy: Perhaps at odds with John Paul's strong view, Pope Benedict XVI says priestly celibacy is, "Not a dogma of the faith." (Ref or Google cache)
- Sex-Abuse Scandal: Appointed by John Paul II to investigate the scandal. Called for day of penance in May 2002, but victims' advocates not satisfied with the Church's response.
- Vocations: Cautioned against the Protestant view of a, "Priesthood of all believers," which can dilute the attraction of priestly vocation (Ref or Google cache)
- Women Priests: Enforced John Paul II's uncompromising view ("no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women") in 1995 and 2002.
- Homosexuality: Not equivalent to heterosexuality (Ref or Google cache). Labeled by some, of course, as homophobic.
- Liberation Theology: "Constitutes a fundamental threat to the faith of the Church," but contains "a grain of truth." (Ref)
- Feminism: Responsible for a Letter to Bishops seen as denouncing feminism while ignoring its positive contributions
Pre-Conclave Homily
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Article comments
1 - ratzinger
here
2 - Silas Kain
Well, I don't agree with everything he stands for, but I honestly believe that he is a good man. Those familiar with Polish history can probably attest to the fact that it takes a very special person of German origin to warm the heart of a Pole. The fact that Ratzinger was a close confidant of the late Pope John Paul II enforces my admiration for him. Let's face it, being a religious person in today's world is frought with pitfalls. Regardless of what belief system one subscribes to, being a fundamentalist raises many issues. Benedict XVI was well prepared for his role as Pope in the years he served the late Pope.
According to published reports, there was a strong showing of suport for Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina. A Jesuit, Cardinal Bergoglio is reported to have dreaded the idea of becoming Pope. Unfortunately, unless Canon Law is changed, we will never know for sure what happened during those two days of conclave. The Cardinal electors chose wisely to elect a Pope, advanced in years, so that he would serve in a transitional Papacy. Vatican watchers would do well to watch Vatican politics play out over the next couple of years as the new Pope works his way up the ranks to the day of the next conclave.
3 - Three
Just a question. I'm going to meet the Pope soon, and would like to bring a gift. Someone told me he likes gardening, and has a lovely rose garden near his living quarters. He enjoys relaxation in the beuatiful meditation gardens of the Vatican. Do you know if this is correct? I have a beautiful book on Rose Gardening and cultivating the "American Beauty." I would like to give the book to him, but heard about that hobby second-hand. Any information on the personal things he enjoys?
4 - JP
B 16 is gay . This why he hates gats: to conceal his own orientation. He shall be the last pope.