Editor’s note: Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) was born 97 years ago today, on Holy Saturday, 1927. In recognition of that day, CWR is reposting this essay, originally published on Jan. 2, 2023, by one of Ratzinger’s students.
Joseph Ratzinger/Pope Benedict XVI will be remembered above all for his literary and scholarly output. Many of his Collected Works (sixteen massive volumes in German) have been translated into several languages and are only now being discovered by a younger generation of theologians. His early classic Introduction to Christianity (1968) has been translated into over twenty languages.
His writings on a vast spectrum of theological and philosophical topics have a clarity and a depth that make his theology inspiring and therefore liberating. His theology also stimulates further scholarly research, since all he could ever do was sketch the contours of the truth. Like a masterful artist, he paints in broad strokes and writes in superb prose, at times almost poetic.
His election as Archbishop and later as Cardinal Prefect put an end to the plans he had, when he decided in 1969 to transfer from the old and famous University of Tubingen to the little-known, quiet backwater that was the new University of Regensburg. Away from the tension and turmoil of Tubingen’s theology faculty, it was his hope that in Regensburg, stimulated by his doctoral and postdoctoral students, he would have the needed academic conditions to research and write the multi-volume Dogmatics (i.e., a full systematic of the doctrine of the Church) he had planned. His election as Archbishop in 1977, and later as Cardinal Prefect, put an end to such a scholarly project. Now future theologians can build on the foundations he has laid.
He long held that the most basic problem in theology today (one which is at the root of the Church’s present crisis) is to be found in an interpretation of the New Testament that, in effect, denied the divinity of Jesus Christ. To develop an interpretation of Scripture that would not only consider the modern, historical-critical methodology of exegesis but would also be faithful to the whole of the Church’s Tradition, he used every minute of his spare time as Pope to write his three-volume Jesus of Nazareth (2006-2013). That work will be his most enduring legacy in the discipline of theology.
His many writings on contemporary cultural issues and political life – as well as his original contributions to the moral issues of the day – remain to be discovered by students of politics and philosophers alike. His historic addresses to politicians in New York (at the UN), London, Paris, and Berlin are regarded as masterpieces of political sagacity. They will remain an inspiration for all politicians of integrity.
A large part of this legacy must be his homilies and his pastoral writings as priest, Archbishop, Cardinal Prefect and Pope, which will continue to provide inspiration for people from all walks of life. This likewise applied to his Wednesday Addresses on the Saints. He chose the Saints as his main topic because he was convinced that the canonized Saints, together with Christian art and music, are the most convincing apology for the Faith that the Church can offer. They also play a central role in inspiring the faithful of every generation to seek the path of holiness.
His encyclicals on Love, Hope and Faith (the latter published under the name of Pope Francis) must rank among the most outstanding ever to come from the pen of a Pope. Caritas in Veritate, his encyclical on integral human development in love and truth, will have a lasting influence on Catholic social teaching.
Perhaps his unique contribution to the renewal of the liturgy is his greatest legacy of all. All his life, he promoted a reform of liturgy according to the spirit and the letter of Vatican II. How pivotal Benedict XVI saw the reform of the liturgy for the life and mission of the Church can be seen from his decision to publish as the first Volume of his Collected Works that on the Theology of the Liturgy (which is Volume 10 in the series).
At the core of that volume—634 pages in the English translation—is his book The Spirit of the Liturgy (2000), written while on holidays as Cardinal Prefect. By allowing a greater use of the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite (the so-called Traditional Latin Mass). Pope Benedict XVI fostered a more reverent and sacral approach to celebrating the sacraments in the vernacular (the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite). Despite certain recent restrictions, that initiative will profoundly transform the way the sacraments are celebrated in the future.
Another of his initiatives with long-term consequences was the creation of the Anglican Ordinariate. Introduced to enable Anglicans to come into union with Rome while preserving the richness of their own liturgical tradition, in time it will enrich the Roman Rite.
His courageous commentary in Dominus Iesus was and is a major contribution to Christology, ecclesiology, and the ecumenical effort of the Church as inspired by the Second Vatican Council. It is a significant part of his ongoing legacy and must be seen against the background of his lifelong contribution to ecumenical dialogue with the Orthodox Churches and the other Christian communities.
His original theological contribution to interreligious dialogue will also bear fruit in time. For example, in his address to representatives of the World Religions in Assisi in 2011, he drew attention to the need of adherents of all religions to heed to listen to the voice of sincere agnostics. Their search for truth can help believers “purify their faith, so that God, the true God, becomes accessible,” thus helping overcome the pathologies—such as fundamentalism—to which religions are often prone.
In his dialogue with Jurgen Habermas, Europe’s leading secular philosopher, the then-Cardinal Ratzinger pointed out how much philosophy needed to pay attention to the voice of religions to overcome the pathologies of reason (such as the atom-bomb and IVF). Though initially it caused outrage on account of a quotation taken out of context, his Regensburg lecture on the role of theology in the university led to a new and more intense dialogue with moderate Islam. In Regensburg, he also stressed the intrinsic relationship between faith and reason—the leitmotiv of his life and writings—so necessary if humanity is to become more fully human.
In all his writings, his ultimate concern was to highlight the primacy of God and the gift of man’s salvation through Jesus Christ. That is his final legacy.
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It’s not convoluted, it’s clear, comprehensive, enticing [drawing in the reader for more] reading. Jesus of Nazareth is as Fr Twomey SVD says it is, Benedict’s masterpiece of theology. Entirely Christocentric, consistent with the life of the author.
Pope Benedict XVI zeros in on the neo Bultmann demythologizing infecting modern Catholic scriptural exegesis, the Gospels [and letters] the basis of Christology. Benedict is as benevolently relentless in isolating the mistakes of scientific exegesis that have undermined the spiritual content of sacred scripture as he was when CDF prefect with clerics in error [mainly pontifical university lecturers]. That’s a precis of his thesis. Very simple [straightforwardly comprehensive], exact, the right remedy for today’s many misled, distressed Catholics.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/34155/fatima-visionary-predicted-final-battle-would-be-over-marriage-family
We can know through both Faith and reason we are in the midst of that final battle
“We are now facing the final confrontation between The Church and the anti-Church, of The Gospel versus the anti Gospel”, beginning at Genesis.
The Faithful Bishops and Cardinals know in their hearts what they must do for the Salvation of Souls.
J.M.J.
“Behold your Mother.”
Pray that a Council be Called to restore The Papacy, so that Our Blessed Mother’s Immaculate Heart will be Triumphant and Peace will be restored in Christ’s Church.
Dear Blessed Mother Mary, Mirror Of Justice And Destroyer Of All Heresy, Who Through Your Fiat, Affirmed The Filioque, and thus the fact that There Is Only One Son Of God, One Word Of God Made Flesh, One Lamb Of God Who Can Taketh Away The Sins Of The World, Our Only Savior, Jesus The Christ, thus there can only be, One Spirit Of Perfect Complementary Love Between The Father And The Son, Who Must Proceed From Both The Father And The Son, In The Ordered Communion Of Perfect Complementary Love, The Most Holy And Undivided Blessed Trinity (Filioque), hear our Prayer.
“Penance, Penance, Penance”
At the heart of Liberty Is Christ, “4For it is impossible for those who were once illuminated, have tasted also the heavenly gift and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5Have moreover tasted the good word of God and the powers of the world to come…”, to not believe that Christ’s Sacrifice On The Cross will lead us to Salvation, but we must desire forgiveness for our sins, and accept Salvational Love, God’s Gift Of Grace And Mercy; believe in The Power And The Glory Of Salvation Love, and rejoice in the fact that No Greater Love Is There Than This, To Desire Salvation For One’s Beloved. “Hail The Cross, Our Only Hope.”
“Blessed are they who are Called to The Marriage Supper Of The Lamb.”
“For where your treasure is there will your heart be also.”
“Behold your Mother.” – Christ On The Cross
“benevolently relentless”
What a perfect description of Benedict’s method.
Best theologian of our time….
Fr.towmey or Pope Benedict?
We read: “In Regensburg, he also stressed the intrinsic relationship between faith and reason—the leitmotiv of his life and writings—so necessary if humanity is to become more fully human.”
My recollection is that, while Islamic culture reacted around the globe (re belief & violence?), the West made no response at all to the other half (re faith & reason?) of the Address. “Why bother, whatever, what’s on TV dish tonight, and the petri dish?”
What Benedict wrote about Islam—slightly prior to Regensburg in late 2006, and the rekindled hope for a “new and more intense dialogue with moderate Islam”—applies equally (equality!) to and secular/Christian dialogue in whatever is left of The West as a fully human culture:
“I am urging people to realize that a war has indeed been declared on the West. I am not pushing for a rejection of dialogue, which we need more than ever with those Islamic countries that wish to live in peaceful coexistence with the West, to our mutual benefit. I am asking for something more fundamental: I am asking for people to realize that dialogue will be a waste of time if one of the two partners to the dialogue states beforehand that one idea is as good as the other” (Pope Benedict XVI, “Without Roots: The West, Relativism, Christianity, Islam,” 2006).
So, yes, synodally “walking together” with Pope Francis–but no less with the moral soundness and steadfast/pastoral clarity of emeritus pope Benedict XVI–what might the witnessing (!) of a forthright, unadulterated, non-generic mega-dicastery for the New Evangelization actually sound like?
For some time, I’ve wanted to correct my error, but did not recall where on these pages to find it…
The quote above is from Marcello Pera, from the University of Pisa and president of the Italian Senate (2001 to 2006) and, in the book, the dialogue partner with Benedict. The book is authored by both Benedict XVI and Pera, and consists of an essay by each and then a responding letter from each to the other.
In his essay (“The Spiritual Roots of Europe”) Benedict covers broad history, including the fall of Constantinople in 1453, and refers in part to Western protections for things sacred to the Jewish and Muslim communities, in contrast with “freedom of speech” which is imposed at the expense of things sacred to Christians:
“This case illustrates a peculiar Western self-hatred that is nothing short of pathological. It is commendable that the West is trying to be more open, to be more understanding of the values of outsiders, but it has lost all capacity for self-love. All that it sees in its own history is the despicable and the destructive; it is no longer able to perceive what is great and pure. What Europe needs is a new self-acceptance, a self-acceptance that is critical and humble, it if truly wishes to survive” (pp. 78-79).
The Islamic world’s violent response to the Regensburg address was due to a few sentences pulled out of context (with thanks to the media). It also became very evident that those pundits in the West who were questioned (again by the media) didn’t get past the first two paragraphs.
Voluminous output is considered a sign of talent especially for authors of fiction but for a theologian, in a way, it reveals that he is yet to discover the fullness of Truth but only enroute, which because of the presupposition that all new ideas and wisdom need to be diseminated ironically misses the obvious in this internet age viz, God has been giving numerous ideas of varying subjective quality to all individuals for their perusal for simply being their Father. It is the Faith that God removes the death sentence and give everlasting life in the paradise, the Hope, that too enjoying God’s spousal Love (through His beloved daughters and viceversa).
Only “enroute” as you say, unlike today’s illuminati?
Those even remotely familiar with Benedict’s writings know that much or most of it is in response to what others have written along the way. Some reader, here, might correct me, but I have read that his extraordinary capability was aided by a photographic memory, such that he wrote his works in a single draft in long hand.
Of his writings, in the final book discretely published after his death, Benedict writes “Perhaps it is worth mentioning that, in not a few seminaries, students caught reading my books were considered unsuitable for the priesthood. My books were hidden away like naughty literature and read surreptitiously, so to speak” (“What is Christianity: The Last Writings”, Ignatius, 2023, p. 185).
ALL of Benedict’s writings celebrate the singular historical event of the very-nonfiction Incarnation, especially his early hand in redrafting what became Dei Verbum at the Second Vatican Council (where he declined to simply work more routinely from a pile of former documents on letterhead).
So, about being “only enroute,” as you pontificate–or maybe synodally “walking together”?–maybe a whole bunch of seminarians (and others) who weakly played the game are now wearing purple and red hats (or wearing their ignorance on their civilian shirtsleeves”…Some might even judge your own remark as a clear sign that you are really quite unfamiliar with Benedict’s writings…
Even yours truly is tempted toward this observation in its “subjective quality,” but who am I to judge?
Beaulieu: Thanks for your comment, which gives me some new insights on Pope Benedict. While my comment was meant to be generic, considering also the other recent article on Balthazar, but as how God works using all his creation, what you speculated about me are sufficiently true, which prompts me to write this specific one. My best reading of any of his work is CCC, and upon knowing that he is the editor of it I did not feel compelled to get hold of any of his book. Necessarily, as a middle aged man I got sufficient snippets on his thoughts including his own unconvincing (to me) explanation against a classic criticism, “Jesus came to inaugurate God’s kingdom, but left with a church”.
The problem is, again, he wanted early on to revolve his life on Christ, so using a secular analogy, he merely worked for his employer, the Church, who has been struggling to convince outsiders their natural, necessarily God given, queries (besides the above) such as why still people are created in original sin, why Jesus’ second coming is keep delaying, why the Trinity is even a mystery to saints who are supposed to know God’s mysteries etc. The problem is that, Benedict pivots all his theology on his conception of Christ, which is nothing but, in one sense, others conception of a saving God bar/ignoring the resurrection of Jesus and the dogma of incarnation. Effectively, just as many handle the Trinitarian persons with ‘assigned duties’, Benedict synonymize Christ with God (from outsiders point of view) thus effectively as Einstein did, change the frame of reference, again for outsiders, but just like that theory with better insights, some never imagined before.
God is impartial and accessible to all, but we/saints know that only those who are holy can be in His good book thus most of us (original sin) ends up with imperfect conception of God, and fails to be convinced why we are ‘terminated’ with in a life span by our ‘loving’ God. In any case, like everybody else, Pope Benedict completed his life on this world meant for sanctifying from sin, and God uses him appropriately as then, now and in future by taking into account each of us individually so that any one deserious to discover the Truth from their current state of life (born in original sin, unfamiliar with God) are given a stepping stone. And this progress is conversion from (original) sin and make us eligible for everlasting life in paradise, upon receiving fullness of Faith, as garnered by Jesus and other saints, not by sticking in on an early imagined God or theology of elseone.
Sorry, you could not be more wrong in this case.
Both Pope St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI ought to be declared Doctors of the Church.
A parochial vicar of the parish church my wife and I attended before we moved six years ago once gave a series of classes in which every time he referred to then-Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, he made the lapsis linguae of referring to him as “St. Benedict.” I tended to agree with the slip. During his pontificate I read a number of Benedict’s works, and though not a theologian, I never failed to be impressed. One of the saddest days of my life was the day I learned of his plan to step down from his office. It remains one of the saddest days of my life. Requiescat in pace gloriaque.
I’ve read that Benedict did not want to be Pope. He desired to retire to Bavaria, where he might finally have time to write and reflect. He accepted the Papacy out of a sense of duty, not ambition.
Curiously, while he was sometimes depicted as John Paul’s attack dog, he was nothing of the kind. He was especially kind with children. I think that growing up in Germany under the Nazis gave him a perspective of the importance of civility and kindness. Both Benedict and John Paul lived and suffered under the Nazis. They knew monsters when they saw them.
is important to note that by clarifying that The Office Of The MUNUS is forever, Pope Benedict XVI illuminated the fact that every validly elected Pope, who has the ability and desire to accept The Office Of The MUNUS, will remain in communion with every other validly elected Pope.
“For the Holy Spirit was not promised to the successors of Peter that by His revelation they might make known new doctrine, but that by His assistance they might inviolably keep and faithfully expound the Revelation, the Deposit of Faith, delivered through the Apostles. ”
And thus we can know through both Faith and reason, that Jorge Bergoglio, was never canonically elected to the Papacy due to the fact that prior to his election as pope, on page 117 of his book, On Heaven And Earth, demonstrating that he does not hold, keep, or teach The Catholic Faith, and he continues to act accordingly stated:
“If there is a union of a private nature, there is neither a third party, nor is society affected. Now, if the union is given the category of marriage, there could be children affected. Every person needs a male father and a female mother that can help shape their identity.”- Jorge Bergoglio, denying The Sanctity of the marital act within The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony, and the fact that God, The Most Holy And Undivided Blessed Trinity, Through The Unity Of The Holy Ghost, Is The Author Of Love, Of Life, And Of Marriage, while denying sin done in private is sin.
From The Catechism Of The Catholic Church:
1849 Sin is an offense against reason, truth, and right conscience; it is failure in genuine love for God and neighbor caused by a perverse attachment to certain goods. It wounds the nature of man and injures human solidarity. It has been defined as “an utterance, a deed, or a desire contrary to the eternal law.”121
1850 Sin is an offense against God: “Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in your sight.”122 Sin sets itself against God’s love for us and turns our hearts away from it. Like the first sin, it is disobedience, a revolt against God through the will to become “like gods,”123 knowing and determining good and evil. Sin is thus “love of oneself even to contempt of God.”124 In this proud self- exaltation, sin is diametrically opposed to the obedience of Jesus, which achieves our salvation.125“
The Office Of The MUNUS is “Forever”, as confirmed Through The Unity Of The Holy Ghost (Filioque). Jorge Bergoglio, unlike every validly elected Pope, rejects The Unity Of The Office Of The MUNUS, grounded in Sacred Tradition, Sacred Scripture, And The Teaching Of The Magisterium, The Deposit Of Faith That Christ Has Entrusted To His One, Holy, Catholic, And Apostolic Church, and thus we can know through both Faith and Reason , Jorge Bergoglio could not possibly be a successor of Peter, for Jorge Bergoglio stands is opposed to Christ.
Yes, I read that same argument on a bubble gum wrapper.
I do believe, Pope Benedict XVI, by retiring The Ministerial Office, but maintaining The Office Of The MUNUS, and thus The Gift of Infallibility in regards to The Deposit Of Faith, Pope Benedict illuminated the counterfeit church attempting to subsist within The One Body Of Christ.
Pope Benedict illuminated the fact that The Office Of The MUNUS is FOREVER, thus through The Unity Of The Holy Ghost, every validly elected Pope remains in communion with Christ and His Church, Illuminating the fact that cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, could not have been canonically elected to the Papacy having defected from The Catholic Faith, prior to his election as pope, when, on page 117 of his book, On Heaven And Earth,
demonstrated that he does not hold, keep, or teach The Catholic Faith, and he continues to act accordingly, he stated:
“If there is a union of a private nature, there is neither a third party, nor is society affected. Now, if the union is given the category of marriage, there could be children affected. Every person needs a male father and a female mother that can help shape their identity.”- Jorge Bergoglio, denying The Sanctity of the marital act within The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony, and the fact that God, The Most Holy And Undivided Blessed Trinity, Through The Unity Of The Holy Ghost, Is The Author Of Love, Of Life, And Of Marriage, while denying sin done in private is sin.
From The Catechism Of The Catholic Church:
1849 Sin is an offense against reason, truth, and right conscience; it is failure in genuine love for God and neighbor caused by a perverse attachment to certain goods. It wounds the nature of man and injures human solidarity. It has been defined as “an utterance, a deed, or a desire contrary to the eternal law.”121
1850 Sin is an offense against God: “Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in your sight.”122 Sin sets itself against God’s love for us and turns our hearts away from it. Like the first sin, it is disobedience, a revolt against God through the will to become “like gods,”123 knowing and determining good and evil. Sin is thus “love of oneself even to contempt of God.”124 In this proud self- exaltation, sin is diametrically opposed to the obedience of Jesus, which achieves our salvation.125“
A Council must be Called to validly elect a Catholic to The Papacy, as Jorge Bergoglio was never canonically elected to the Papacy.
“Canon 188 §4 states that among the actions which automatically (ipso facto) cause any cleric to lose his office, even without any declaration on the part of a superior, is that of “defect[ing] publicly from the Catholic faith” .
My years long examination of the Latin text of his resignation shows, unequivocally, that Benedict used the wrong Latin verb tense. Therefore, inadvertantly, Taylor Swift is now the real Pope.