German Church Historian Fears “Antipope” Benedict

Pray Tell ^ | 11/21/14 | Fr. Anthony Ruff

[marshmallow]

As Kathweb reports, Hubert Wolf, professor of church history in Munster, calls for a clearer distinction between pope and “pope emeritus” in Thursday’s edition of Frankfurter Algemeine Zeitung. According to Wolf, there have been fears that “around Francis and Benedict XVI two competing power centers could come into being in the curia, with pope and antipope at the top of each.”

The church historian notes that when Pope Gregory XII resigned in 1415, he became a member of the college of cardinals again and traded his white papal clothing for the purple of a cardinal. After the church council of 1415 he was no longer addressed as “Your Holiness,” but now as “Your Eminence” like other cardinals.

The professor suggests that instead of the title “pope emeritus,” more appropriate would be “cardinal bishop emeritus.”

There is currently much discussion about the recently-released fourth volume of the collected works of Joseph Ratzinger. In this volume, he altered decisive passages about those divorced and remarried which he originally wrote in 1972. Wolf writes that with this publication, the former pope “clearly” positions himself “in the current debate, which surely does not fit with the claim to withdraw from public life.”

[Gamecock]

[Resettozero]

How about il Papa’s Papa?

No? What about Old Pope and New Pope.

(Do I think they’re going to change their ways? IDK.)

[DarkSavant]

There is currently much discussion about the recently-released fourth volume of the collected works of Joseph Ratzinger. In this volume, he altered decisive passages about those divorced and remarried which he originally wrote in 1972. Wolf writes that with this publication, the former pope “clearly” positions himself “in the current debate, which surely does not fit with the claim to withdraw from public life.”

I believe Kasper was quoting him extensively, and he did not like something he said forty years ago being used to push an agenda he no longer believes in.

In his younger days, Benedict was quite liberal. He got better.

[cloudmountain]

How about il Papa’s Papa?
No? What about Old Pope and New Pope.
They are both JUST FINE. :o)

(Do I think they’re going to change their ways? IDK.)
Of course not. Why should they? Why would the Church listen to some/any pundits' suggestions?

[Resettozero]

Why would the Church listen to some/any pundits' suggestions?

Members of the Roman Catholic church, headquartered inside the Vatican in Italy, seem to be paying a great deal of attention lately to the press reports.

[Salvation]

I didn’t make it in before the Catholic Bashers, did I?

[Alex Murphy]

I'm just here for the Michael Jackson eating popcorn meme

[SpirituTuo]

I guess the paper has reached the bottom of the barrel looking for people to make negative comments about Pope Emeritus Benedict.

The man has clearly said he lives the life of a monk, and only goes in public when invited by Pope Francis himself. He is not a Cardinal elector, does not grant interviews, and lives a very quiet life.

[Resettozero]

I didn’t make it in before the Catholic Bashers, did I?

You are the first basher onboard.

[piusv]

Exactly what was it you didn’t like about the comments in the OP?

[piusv]

I didn’t see any Catholic bashers either. That’s why I’m wondering what it is about the OP that is disturbing certain posters.

[virgil]

Is Kasper et al going to try to muzzle Benedict too?