SPECIAL SECTION: POPE BENEDICT XVI (Acton Institute)

“Having a clear faith, based on the Creed of the Church, is often labeled today as a fundamentalism. Whereas, relativism, which is letting oneself be tossed and "swept along by every wind of teaching," looks like the only attitude (acceptable) to today's standards. We are moving towards a dictatorship of relativism which does not recognize anything as for certain and which has as its highest goal one's own ego and one's own desires.” ~ Pope Benedict XVI

after our great Pope, John Paul II, the Cardinals have elected me, a simple, humble worker in God's vineyard.

I am consoled by the fact that the Lord knows how to work and how to act, even with insufficient tools, and I especially trust in your prayers.

In the joy of the resurrected Lord, trustful of his permanent help, we go ahead, sure that God will help. And Mary, his most beloved Mother, stands on our side. Thank you.

Brief History Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was the dean of the College of Cardinals, and he served as the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith since 1981. As chief doctrinal officer and counselor to Pope John Paul II, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger has spoken authoritatively on topics ranging from consumerism, culture, politics, and moral theology.

Ratzinger was born in rural Bavaria on Holy Saturday in 1927 and was baptized that same day. His seminary training was interrupted by World War II when he was drafted into the German army. He later deserted and was briefly interned in an American POW camp.

Ordained to the priesthood in 1951, Ratzinger earned a doctorate in theology at the University of Munich in 1953. Beginning in 1959, he taught the subject at the University of Bonn, University of Tübingen, and University of Regensburg in Bavaria. By the mid-1960s, he was recognized as one of the world’s leading Catholic theologians. During the Second Vatican Council, Ratzinger served as the theological advisor for Cardinal Josef Frings of Cologne, Germany.

In 1977, Ratzinger was named Archbishop of Munich and was elevated to the College of Cardinals later that year by Pope Paul VI. In 1981, Pope John Paul II appointed him to be prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Holy See’s top theological post. One of his greatest achievements has been working with some forty collaborators and a thousand bishops to produce the 900-page Catechism of the Catholic Church.

1 posted on 04/19/2005 2:32:32 PM PDT by The Great Yazoo

I love this.
Thanks.

backhoe, are you linking all the Pope Benedict XVI threads?
If not, I'll bookmark selected ones.

2 posted on 04/19/2005 2:34:49 PM PDT by onyx (Pope John Paul II - May 18, 1920 - April 2, 2005 = SANTO SUBITO!)

which has as its highest goal one's own ego and one's own desires

Pretty much sums up today's society. I was going to say that it made me think of Clinton, but truth be told I must say I too am guilty of falling into this way of thought.

3 posted on 04/19/2005 2:43:08 PM PDT by Armando Guerra

4 posted on 04/19/2005 2:48:52 PM PDT by GarySpFc (Sneakypete, De Oppresso Liber)

truth be told I must say I too am guilty of falling into this way of thought

We all are, brother. That's why we need reminding and Benedict XVI has gotten that job off to a rousing start.

6 posted on 04/19/2005 2:58:22 PM PDT by Argus (Mi tagline es su tagline)

Hi, onyx-- backhoe, are you linking all the Pope Benedict XVI threads? If not, I'll bookmark selected ones.

Better bookmark them- I'm busy sawing limbs off the daggone roof at home-- I will try to get around to it later.

7 posted on 04/19/2005 3:24:27 PM PDT by backhoe (-30-)

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