Name Of Pope Benedict Xvi example essay topic

Pope Benedict XVI: A Life and Papacy Revealed On April 19, 2005 Joseph Alois Ratzinger was elected as successor to the beloved Pope John Paul II. He was formally enthroned during the papal inauguration Mass on April 24, 2005 and chose the name of Pope Benedict XVI (Wiki P. Ben XVI bio). Elected at the age of 78 Pope Benedict XVI was the oldest to be elected Pope since Clement XII in 1730 (Wiki P. Ben XVI bio). Pope Benedict is only the eight German Pope to be elected into office the last being Adrian VI (1522-1523) (Wiki P. Ben XVI bio). His Early Life Joseph Alois Ratzinger was born on Holy Saturday April 16, 1927 at his parents' home in Markt l am Inn, Germany (Ewtn P. Ben XVI bio). He was the first person baptized in the Easter Water and blessed at the Easter Vigil (Ewtn P. Ben XVI bio).

His father, Joseph Ratzinger Sr., was a policeman from a family of farmers from lower Bavaria and his mother, Maria Ratzinger, was from a family of South Tyrol (Ewtn P. Ben XVI bio). In 1929 Joseph and his family moved to Tittmoning, a small town on the Sal zach River, on the Austrian border (Ewtn P. Ben xvi bio). In 1932 his father's outspoken criticism of the Nazis required the family to relocate to Aus chau am Inn (Wiki P. Ben XVI bio). His father retired in 1937, and his family moved to Hufschlag, outside of Traunstein (Wiki P. Ben XVI bio). There Joseph began studying classical languages at his local high school (Ewtn P. Ben XVI bio). In 1939, he entered the minor seminary in Traunstein, his first step toward the priesthood (Ewtn P. Ben XVI bio).

Military Backround World War II forced a postponement of young Ratzinger's studies. In 1943, at the age of 16, Ratzinger was drafted with many of his friends into the anti-aircraft artillery corps (Wiki P. Ben XVI bio). Ratzinger and his classmates were posted all over Europe to help in guarding aircraft engine plants (Wiki P. Ben XVI bio). According to John Allen, author of Cardinal Ratzinger: The Vatican's Enforcer of Faith, "Ratzinger was only briefly a member... and not an enthusiastic one at that". This was mostly due to the fact that an infected finger prevented him from learning how to shoot (Time 40). On September 10, 1944, Ratzinger was given new notice for the "Reichsarbeitsdienst" (Wiki P. Ben XVI bio).

He was posted at the Hungarian border area of Austria, which had been annexed by Germany (Wiki P. Ben XVI bio). There he was trained in the 'cult of the spade' (Wiki P. Ben XVI bio). While Hungary was occupied by the Red Army, Ratzinger was put into work setting up tank traps near the borders of Czechoslovakia. (Time 43).

This is where he recalled in a 1993 interview with Time Magazine that he saw Hungarian Jews being shipped to their death. After being a witness to such horrific acts he deserted his duties in the military and did some time in an American P.O. W camp and made his way back home (Time 43). Many supporters of Pope Benedict feel that his involvement in the Nazi military actually strengthened his religious faith. Lucy Difilippo a religious teacher at O.L. A parish stated " I feel very comfortable having a newly elected Pope who had such experiences...

I believe that it gives him a better understanding of similar current events which in the long run will help him to make the right decisions". Education & Early Church Teachings After he returned home from his military duties in 1945, he and his brother Georg entered into the Catholic seminary of Freising (Locker P. Ben XVI edu). They both decided to study at the Herzog liches Georgia num of the Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich (Locker P. Ben XVI edu). On June 29 1951, both Joseph and his brother were ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal Faulhaber, in the Cathedral in Freising (Ewtn P. Ben XVI bio.

). Continuing his theological studies at the University of Munich, he was able to receive his doctorate in theology in July 1953, with a thesis titled The People and House of God in Augustine's doctrine of the Church (Ewtn P. Ben XVI bio). On April 15, 1959 he began lectures as a full time professor of fundamental theology at the University of Bonn (Ewtn bio). From 1962-1965, he was present during the Second Vatican Council as a, chief theological advisor, to Cardinal Josef Fringe of Cologne, Germany (Ewtn P. Ben XVI bio).

In 1963, he began teaching at the University of M"u nster, and in 1966 he took a second chair in dogmatic theology at the University of T"u bingen (Ewtn P. Ben XVI bio). In 1968 a wave of student uprisings swept across Europe and Marxism quickly became the dominant belief system at T"u bingen. Ratzinger though wanted to have no affiliation with the new radical theology, and in 1969 moved back to Bavaria (Ewtn P. Ben XVI bio). He then took a teaching position at the University of Regensburg where he eventually became the dean and vice president (Ewtn P. Ben XVI bio).

In 1972, together with Hans Urs von Balthasar, Henry De Luba c and Walter Kasper he launched the Catholic theological journal Communio, a review of Catholic theology and culture (Wiki P. Ben XVI bio). It has been said that Ratzinger headed this because of the misinterpretation of the Second Vatican Council by Karl Rainer, Hans Kung and others (Wiki P. Ben XVI bio). The Communio journal become one of the most important journals of Catholic thought and Ratzinger still remains one of the journal's most prolific contributors (Wiki P. Ben XVI bio). On March 24 1977, Father Ratzinger was elected Archbishop of Munich and Freising by Pope Paul VI (Ewtn P. Ben XVI bio). He was ordained to the Episcopal Order on May 28 1977, taking the motto, 'Fellow Worker in the Truth' from 3 John 8 (Ewtn P. Ben XVI bio). On June 27 1977, he was elevated to Cardinal by Pope Paul VI (Ewtn P. Ben XVI bio).

In 1980, he was named by Pope John Paul II to chair the special Synod on the Laity (Ewtn P. Ben XVI bio). Shortly after the pope asked him to head the Congregation for Catholic Education (Ewtn P. Ben XVI bio). Cardinal Ratzinger surprisingly declined at the time saying, "It feels as though my work in Munich is not done and leaving now would be leaving too soon" (Ewtn P. Ben XVI bio). On November 25 1981, he did become the Prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and at the same time became the President of the Pontifical Biblical Commission, and the International Theological Commission (Ewtn P. Ben XVI bio). Cardinal Ratzinger was President of the Commission for the Preparation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and after 6 years of work presented the new Catechism to the Holy Father (Ewtn P. Ben XVI bio). On April 5 1993, he was transferred to the order of Cardinal Bishops, with the suburbicarian see of Velletri-Signi (Ewtn P. Ben XVI bio).

On November 9 1998, his election as Vice-Dean of the Sacred College of Cardinals was approved by Pope John Paul II, and the Holy Father approved his election as Dean of the College of Cardinals on November 30 2002 (Ewtn P. Ben XVI bio). Election After the death of Pope John Paul II on April 2 2005, Time magazine quoted unnamed Vatican sources as saying that Ratzinger was the front runner to succeed John Paul II (Wiki P. Ben XVI bio). The Financial Times even gave odds of 7-1, the lead position though liberal rivals were close behind, that Ratzinger would succeed the beloved John Paul II (Wiki P. Ben XVI bio). On March 5 2005, Piers Paul Read a writer of The Spectator, a conservative British political magazine, wrote: There can be little doubt that his courageous promotion of orthodox Catholic teaching has earned him the respect of his fellow cardinals throughout the world.

He is patently holy, highly intelligent and sees clearly what is at stake. Indeed, for those who blame the decline of Catholic practice in the developed world precisely on the propensity of many European bishops to hide their heads in the sand, a pope who confronts it may be just what is required. Ratzinger is no longer young - he is 78 years old: but Angelo Ron calli, who revolutionized Catholicism by calling the Second Vatican Council was the same age when he became pope as John XX. As Jeff Israel, the correspondent of Time, was told by a Vatican insider last month, 'The Ratzinger solution is definitely on. (Wiki P. Ben XVI bio). Cardinal Ratzinger had repeatedly stated he would like to retire to a Bavarian village and dedicate himself to writing books, but more recently, he told friends he was ready to 'accept any charge God placed on him" (Wiki P. Ben XVI bio).

On April 19, 2005 Cardinal Ratzinger was elected as the successor to Pope John Paul II on the second day of the papal conclave after four ballots (Prayed not). It was said that Cardinal Ratzinger had hoped to retire peacefully and said that 'At a certain point, I prayed to God 'please don't do this to me'... Evidently, this time He didn't listen to me' (Prayed not). At the balcony, Benedict's first words to the crowd, before he gave the traditional Urb i et Orb i blessing, blessing of the world, were in Italian and translated into English as: Dear brothers and sisters, after the great Pope John Paul II, the Cardinals have elected me, a simple and humble labourer in the vineya rd of the Lord.

The fact that the Lord knows how to work and to act even with inadequate instruments comforts me, and above all I entrust myself to your prayers. In the joy of the Risen Lord, let us move forward, confident of his unfailing help. The Lord will help us and Mary, his Most Holy Mother, will be on our side. Thank you. (Wiki P. Ben XVI bio).

Antoinette DiCanio, a strong practitioner of Catholicism, said that, "It was very comforting and soothing to hear such words from the newly elected Pope" and that "From those words I know he will be able to continue the ways of John Paul II". Choice of Name Joseph Ratzinger after he was first elected was faced with the task of selecting a name. He was free to pick from any of his 264 predecessors, use his own first name or come up with something new (What's In 2). Ratzinger decided to choose the name of Benedict XVI which in Latin means "the blessed" (Wiki P. Ben XVI bio). Explaining his choice of the name 'Benedict,' Ratzinger referred to his predecessor Pope Benedict XV, 'a true and courageous prophet of peace,' who sought to prevent World War I. 'In his footsteps I place my ministry, in the service of reconciliation and harmony,' said Ratzinger (What's In 2). Next Ratzinger spoke of St. Benedict, the co-patron of Europe,' Filled with sentiments of awe and thanksgiving, I wish to speak of why I chose the name Benedict.

Firstly, I remember Pope Benedict XV, that courageous prophet of peace, who guided the Church through turbulent times of war. In his footsteps I place my ministry in the service of reconciliation and harmony between peoples. Additionally, I recall Saint Benedict of No rcia, co-patron of Europe, whose life evokes the Christian roots of Europe. I ask him to help us all to hold firm to the centrality of Christ in our Christian life: May Christ always take first place in our thoughts and actions!' (Wiki P. Ben XVI bio). Lucy Difilippo, religion teacher at O.L. A Parish, said "she thought Ratzinger would choose the name of John Paul since she felt he would be continuing the way of John Paul II and she was a little confused when he did not.

However after he choose the name Benedict she had a different opinion of whether or not he would carry on John Paul's legacy", stated Difilippo. However afterwards she said "hearing him explain his choice it made me feel as though the name fits the situation". The Sex Abuse Scandal The election of Cardinal Ratzinger opened up many questions on how the Church would not only continue but intensify its investigations of priestly sexual abuse (Borse 1). For much of the criticism of John Paul centered on the fact that the Church was negligent in its response to the reality of the abuse that they say has been going on for quite sometime (Borse 1).

These questions though were quickly answered. Cardinal Ratzinger himself, as head of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, was a key player in the Vatican's response to the crisis (Borse 2). For everyone worried that the election of a new Pope might signal a negative change in the Vatican's attitude about the sex-abuse scandal, it eases us to know that just before the death of John Paul, Cardinal Ratzinger ordered a reopening of a case that has been ignored for many years and one that he had personally put on hold in 1999 (Borse 2). Ratzinger's re-activation has resulted in a visit by the Prosecutor for the CDF, Father Scicluna, who was dispatched by Ratzinger himself to Mexico, the U.S. and Spain, to interview the original victims and gather what is now being described by some as new evidence from others who have not spoken to the Vatican about the case (Borse 3). Victims of sexual abuse by priests in the U.S. should feel uplifted due to the acceleration of activity after the election of Ratzinger (Borse 4). It means that the Vatican not only takes the charges seriously, but that it recognizes that the abuse problem is not exclusive to the United States (Borse 5).

It also signals Pope Benedict's dedication to reforming the Church from within the clergy (Borse 6). Whatever the investigation ultimately reveals, the results will be inevitably distressing for Catholics on all sides (Borse 7). Either the founder of an order will be found guilty calling into question the legitimacy of his work on behalf of the Church, or his accusers will be found to be frauds (Borse 8). Either result for Catholics would prove to be a painful one. Antoinette DiCanio, a strong practitioner of Catholicism, stated "her main problem with the sex abuse scandal was not that priests were doing such horrible acts but that it seemed as though the church was trying to just push it under the rug". Catholics however should take pride in realizing that Pope Benedict XVI is heading into the direction of showing the Church as a beacon of truth even if to do so it means that its light must shine painfully into the heart of the Church itself (Borse 10).

This means at the least, that Pope Benedict XVI is serious about the real role of the Church in a world for Catholics and non-Catholics alike (Borse 11). Bridging Gaps With Other Faiths In 2000, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which Ratzinger was head of, issued a document entitled Dominus Iesus (Locker P. Ben XVI bio). This document made wild claims such as, 'only in the Catholic Church is there eternal salvation' (Locker P. Ben XVI bio). However this statement appears nowhere in the document (Locker P. Ben XVI bio). The document did condemn though 'relativistic theories' of religious pluralism and described other faiths as 'gravely deficient' in the means of salvation (Locker P. Ben XVI bio). The document was primarily aimed at reining in liberal Catholic theologians like Jacques Dupuis, who argued that other religions could contain God-given means of salvation not found in the Church of Christ, but it offended many religious leaders (Locker P. Ben XVI bio).

Some Jewish religious leaders actually boycotted several interfaith meetings in protest (Locker P. Ben XVI bio). Already in 1987, Cardinal Ratzinger had stated that Jewish history and scripture reach fulfillment only in Christ, a position critics denounced as 'theological anti-Semitism,' although it is very much in the general tradition of Christian views of the Old Testament and the Jews (Locker P. Ben XVI bio). Despite this, groups such as the World Jewish Congress commended his election as Pope and extolled his 'great sensitivity' (Locker P. Ben XVI bio). Naomi Eisenach, a practitioner of Judaism, feels that "Pope Benedict because of his previous history with his comments on other religions he will not be able to form bridges with other religions".

Though his advent was congratulated by Buddhist leaders around the world, critics remembered that in March 1997 Cardinal Ratzinger predicted that Buddhism would take over Marxism as the main 'enemy' of the Catholic Church (Locker P. Ben XVI bio). Some also criticized him for calling Buddhism an 'autoerotic spirituality' that offered 'transcendence without imposing concrete religious obligations" (Locker P. Ben XVI bio). Also the quote addressed Buddhism on how it appears to those Europeans who are using it to obtain some type of self-satisfying spiritual experience (Locker P. Ben XVI bio). In an interview in 2004 for Le Figaro Magazine, Ratzinger said Turkey, a country of Muslim heritage, should seek its future in an association of Islamic nations rather than the European Union, which has Christian roots (Locker P. Ben XVI bio). He said Turkey had always been 'in permanent contrast to Europe' and that linking it to Europe would be a mistake (Locker P. Ben XVI bio). His defenders argue that it is to be expected that a leader within the Catholic Church would forcefully and explicitly argue in favor of the superiority of Catholicism over other religions (Locker P. Ben XVI bio).

Others also maintain that single quotes from Dominus Iesus are not indicative of intolerance or an unwillingness to engage in dialogue with other faiths, and this is clear from a reading of the entire document (Locker P. Ben XVI bio). They point out that Ratzinger has been very active in promoting inter-faith dialogue (Locker P. Ben XVI bio). Specifically, they argue that Ratzinger has been instrumental at encouraging reconciliation with Lutherans (Locker P. Ben XVI bio). In defending Dominus Iesus, Benedict himself has stated that his belief is that inter-faith dialogue should take place on the basis of equal human dignity, but that equality of human dignity should not imply that each side is equally correct (Locker P. Ben XVI bio). There are many views on how people feel Pope Benedict will do while he holds the title of Pope.

When asked about her overall thought of Pope Benedict XVI Lea Gagliardo, a religion teacher for many years, said "she feels that he will be a wonderful continuation of the beloved ways of John Paul II". Overall the attitude seems to be that Benedict will be a great Christina leader and he will be able to continue the ways of the beloved John Paul II..