Posted on 11/11/2016 3:57:50 PM PST by marshmallow
In these extracts from his new book-length interview, the Pope Emeritus reflects on his ‘guillotine’ election, his achievements as Pope and his tendency to ‘think too much’
Why did you not name yourself John Paul III?
I felt that would be inappropriate, because a standard had been set there which I couldn’t match. I could not be a John Paul III. I was a different character, cut from a different cloth; I had a different sort of charisma, or rather a non-charisma.
Suddenly: Christ’s vicar on earth. What inner change was going on there?
Yes, there was the thought: no, I need still more help from him. One knows: I really am not that. But if he puts the yoke on my shoulders, he must also help me bear it.
You spoke of the cardinals’ ballot as the falling of a “guillotine”. Did you regret that later?
No, the feeling was just like that, a guillotine.
~
For over two decades you were the closest collaborator of a pope, and for half your life you have concerned yourself theologically with the Petrine Primacy. Was there anything in particular that you were resolved not to do [after your election to the papacy]?
There was primarily the positive resolution that I wanted to put God and faith in the centre. It was also important to me to put Holy Scripture in the foreground. I was a man who came from a theological background, and I knew that my strength, if I have one, is to proclaim the faith positively. So above all I wanted to teach things from the fullness of Holy Scripture and Tradition.
To ask again: it is not only the things one does which are important, sometimes the things one does not do are yet more significant.
What should I say? I knew this would........
(Excerpt) Read more at catholicherald.co.uk ...
Pope Benedict XVI ping
He is a great writer. I ordered this book some time back.
As one who is from an ecumenical background, I suggest to those outside of RC Catholicism that there is a good theologian to read in his works.
I miss him so hard.
Yes, I determined that long ago. (I’m Protestant)
May God bless him... and forgive him for the catastrophic damage that he did with his resignation.
I am not Catholic, but we all imperfect vessels.
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