Germany's Kasper: No need for 'clone' of John Paul II

National Catholic Reporter ^ | 4/17/2005 | Stacy Meichtry

[sporkgoddess]

GO RATZINGER! I'm rooting for ya, babe!

[Seeking the truth]

Kasper = Anti-Pope = Anti-Christ ??????????

[Seeking the truth]

Kasper = Anti-Pope = Anti-Christ ??????????

[ken5050]

Will his membership in the Hitler youth be enough to sway votes against him?

[Lady In Blue]

If I remember my history correctly,all of Germany's youth had to join. They had no choice. I can't understand who would blame him for something like that?!

[Heatseeker]

What's your source? Ratzinger's online biographies which I've read indicate his father was so anti-Nazi they were forced to flee the town they were living in.

[ken5050]

Today's NY Post..has a big article, and pics of him in uniform..I'll see if I can find a link for you..

[ken5050]

Here ya go...Here..Let me know what you think...regards

[B Knotts]

Staring in 1939, all German boys were required to join. It was not optional. If he did not join, he probably wouldn't have been shot, but would likely have been taken away from his parents.

[Heatseeker]

Interesting. But OTOH I didn't know membership was mandatory either. I always found it ironic that Cardinal Ratzinger and JPII, given the polar opposites of their positions in life during the war, felt so much in common, until I read this from The Tablet.

JOSEPH RATZINGER was born in Marktl am Inn, Bavaria, in 1927, and grew up under Hitler’s shadow in the Thirties. His family was anti-Nazi, but not involved in resistance; his father, a policeman, accepted assignments in progressively smaller towns in order to stay clear of politics. The young Ratzinger drew inward, immersing himself in the florid Bavarian piety of the era. In later reflection on the war and Nazism, many German theologians of Ratzinger’s generation, such as the famed moralist Bernard Häring, saw the dangers of blind obedience as its central lesson, fuelling a reform streak in German Catholicism. Ratzinger, however, drew a different conclusion. Only a Church with a strong central authority and rock-solid doctrinal verities, he concluded, can withstand a hostile state or culture. This conviction – one he shares with Pope John Paul II – has informed much of his later Vatican career.

[AlbionGirl]

Ratzinger, a staunch conservative dubbed "God's Rottweiler," has said he joined the Hitler Youth when membership became compulsory. He and his brother were later drafted but deserted. The cardinal claims he never fired a shot and that resistance would have meant death.

I don't want to be too hard on the guy. It's really easy to judge effortlessly from present vantage point, but even though resistance would have meant death, if everyone felt that resistance was thus futile, then hitler would have indeed succeeded. So, while I guess the desire for self-preservation is understandable, God bless those who didn't let that be their first consideration.

[ken5050]

I wasn't judging him..just wondering if it could have an effect, if people need/want to find an excuse not to vote for him..I was very surprised when I read it...

[AlbionGirl]

I don't think Europe has a clue in terms of it's reconciling it's Nazi past with it's present. Germany was chief offender, of course, but Italy (and I was born there, so this isn't some anti-Italian or anti-German sentiment) didn't do too much to reign in Mussolini until Italy felt, via German occupation, the full measure of his hapless, stupid 'alliance.' And France? No explanation needed, Vichy says it all. I don't think they've ever really faced up to what they did.

I say this because I think it also reflects what I believe to be an ambivalence likely present in the Cardinals of Europe who get the vote.

From the little I understand, Ratzinger is likely not to get the nod because he might not be the flaming Socialist that the rest of them are, and not because of anything to do with his past. Especially such a distant past and one which is hard to easily render judgement on.

[A.A. Cunningham]

'Ratzinger, a staunch conservative dubbed "God's Rottweiler," has said he joined the Hitler Youth when membership became compulsory. He and his brother were later drafted but deserted. The cardinal claims he never fired a shot and that resistance would have meant death.'

[k omalley]

We know what will happen if Ratzinger is elected pope. The liberal media will be all over his brief involvement with the Hitler youth. I can hear the stories now on TV and know exactly what the editorials will say in my hometown liberal socialist rag. I really don't care what they have to say. I think that he would be an excellent pope. He is probably exactly what we need right now. Mahony, however, whom I have no love for, made an astute observation that no cardinal from a country where no one goes to church would be elected pope.

I also think Arinze would also be a fine choice. Church growth is exploding in Africa. Africa is also in danger of its population dying out. Arinze as pope would draw attention to the problems in Africa. He seems to be orthodox as well.

[B Knotts]

I like Cardinal Arinze, but I'm not sure about his capacity to be a disciplinarian, which is what is needed now.

[AlbionGirl]

Mahony, however, whom I have no love for, made an astute observation that no cardinal from a country where no one goes to church would be elected pope.

I guess that's a double edged sword, isn't it? It may eliminate Ratzinger, but it also eliminates Kasper, which in my mind would be a good thing.

I'm torn about how to view the whole process. Is it not political at all? That's hard for me to believe. Does the Holy Spirit do His work despite the politics? Of course, he can do anything he wants. But does He intervene with free will on such a massive scale? That's what I'm not sure of.

[murphE]

Does the Holy Spirit do His work despite the politics? Of course, he can do anything he wants. But does He intervene with free will on such a massive scale? That's what I'm not sure of.

The Holy Spirit will only guide them if they invoke the Holy Spirit. God's permissive will allows them to reject His guidance. However, we do know that God sometimes permits evil in order to bring about a greater good to serve his perfect will. Therefor, whatever the outcome, it still is God's will.

[AlbionGirl]

Therefore, whatever the outcome, it still is God's will.

I suppose you're right.