Seven years of purification

"The greatest persecution of the church is born from sin inside the church." On his flight to the Portuguese city of Fátima, all it took was a sentence spoken by Benedict XVI to sweep away self-justifying conspiracy theories on ecclesiastical scandals and afflictions. This sentence has become the slogan of a "purifying" papacy. Three dates act as milestones for judging his leadership: his 85th birthday on Monday 16th, the seventh anniversary of his election as successor of the apostle Peter on Thursday 19th and the date marking the solemn beginning of his papacy on Tuesday 24th. No one has done more than Joseph Ratzinger in the fight against clerical sexual abuse or the financial scandals involving the Roman Curia. He silenced the paedophile Fr. Marcial Maciel and placed the government of his religious congregation (the Legion of Christ) in the hands of a papal delegate, he set up a watchdog to supervise "sacred business" and fired dozens of bishops all over the world who had been protecting paedophile priests. This is the theologian who, once he became Pope, took on the role of reformer with determination, but who in the daily administration of the Church has never lost sight of his goal: to return faith in Christ to the centre of the Church’s life and of our secularised society. Having strengthened the church with a resolute battle against paedophilia and a process of financial reform that are now beginning to bear fruits, Joseph Ratzinger is now concentrating on another important enterprise: reflections on the Second Vatican Council which will underpin the Year of Faith and launch a new season for Christianity and the Catholic Church around the world.

Ratzinger’s line is increasingly one that emphasises transparency and he is even ready, if necessary, to call for an internal inquiry, as was done to flush out those guilty of leaking reserved documents written by the current Nuncio to Washington, Archbishop Viganò, where he criticised the management of the Governorate. When still a cardinal, Joseph Ratzinger never made efforts to intrigue or build a power base, he was never interested in influencing lobbies inside and outside the Church. When he became Pope, he had to deal with the repercussions of positions he had never shared, but his goal has not changed: to live Christianity and communicate it to others, starting with young people. His experience with youth groups in the first parish where he ever served as a young priest, in Munich in August 1951, and in the seminary in Freising starting in autumn 1952 have certainly helped him build his relationship with the younger generation. As a lecturer in Tubingen in 1966, he often invited his students to dine with him, some of whom gave him an old bicycle they bought at an auction as a gift, so that he could travel to the university from his little house near lake Aasee. "I am particularly thinking of young people: with you… I will continue to maintain a dialogue, listening to your expectations in an attempt to help you meet ever more profoundly the living, ever young Christ," Ratzinger said in his first public address, almost seven years ago.

Of course, there are many obstacles. Benedict XVI’s theological and pastoral approach are "constantly in danger of being seriously misunderstood" and are constantly prey to "criticism and prejudice," against which it is now "an urgent task" to present "the true face" of his leadership, Cardinal Kurt Koch admits, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity in the preface to his book Il mistero del granello di senape: Fondamenti del pensiero teologico di Benedetto XVI (‘The mystery of the mustard seed: the basis of Benedict XVI’s theological thinking’) which will be launched on the pontiff’s 85th birthday in Rome’s Fraternity of Communion and Liberation. Cardinal Koch particularly focuses on "in-depth and oft-repeated criticism," i.e. that "Benedict XVI is performing a U-turn and would like to revert to things as they were before the Second Vatican Council." In actual fact, Joseph Ratzinger’s brother Georg – in his book My Brother, the Pope, co-written with Michael Hesemann – sheds light on Ratzinger’s role during the Council.

Thanks to his brother’s account – which summarises the meetings held by the bishops of Austria and Germany during the Council in the seminary of Santa Maria dell’Anima – we have a clearer picture of the role Ratzinger played as an expert at the Council, and the atmosphere of that great period in Church history is recreated, including a clear account of the friction between the Archbishop of Cologne, Frings, and Cardinal Ottaviani, who as prefect of the then Holy Office and president of the theological commission, did everything to prevent reform. As a young theologian, Joseph Ratzinger had been a ghostwriter for Cardinal Joseph Frings, who played a leading role in the Second Vatican Council and he also drafted a report for the cardinal on the Council that seemed to listeners like a theological agenda for the Catholic assembly called by Pope John XXIII. Now, half a century later, Ratzinger as Pope will be the one to guide reflections concerning the results and challenges generated by that Council.

Today, April 16th, marks the 85th birthday of our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI.

V. Let us pray for Benedict, our Pope.

R. May the Lord preserve him, and give him life, and make him blessed upon the earth, and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies. [Ps 40:3]

Our Father, Hail Mary.

O God, Shepherd and Ruler of all Thy faithful people, look mercifully upon Thy servant Benedict, whom Thou hast chosen as shepherd to preside over Thy Church. Grant him, we beseech Thee, that by his word and example, he may edify those over whom he hath charge, so that together with the flock committed to him, may he attain everlasting life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

— Excerpted from the Roman Missal. A partial indulgence is attached to the versicle and response.

More has been done to correct the errors of “The Spirit of Vatican II” by this Pope in his short time than all the years of the previous one, who in my opinion took his flock for granted as he shepherded those who could care less about him.

God Bless you Holy Father. A leaner stronger church indeed.

In fairness, JP2 set the translation correction process into motion, he just didn't live to see it implemented.

But BXVI has indeed done some wonderful things. May it be God's will that we have him a few more years!

>>In fairness, JP2 set the translation correction process into motion, he just didn’t live to see it implemented.<<

And in the meantime, allowed the “Spirit of VII” liberals to destroy the Holy Mass, ignored the priest problem and spent more time shepherding non-Catholics than Catholics. Spiritually, he was wonderful. As a shepherd, not so much. We needed less Rock Star and more Holy Father.

EWTN did more than JPII. God rest his soul.

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