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In the past three decades, the Vatican has cracked down on liberation theology, affirmed traditional sexual morality, and is now quietly supporting ultradevout Catholic groups such as Opus Dei and the Legions of Christ -- while curbing ecumenical outreach and describing Protestant churches as not authentic.
The most constant, diligent, and serious champion of these moves is a shy but brilliant German theologian, Josef Ratzinger -- now Pope Benedict XVI.
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You know who said that line in the title? I did not make it up.
It was said by Princeton University Renaissance scholar Anthony Grafton, not a Catholic!
Though there are some lines that can strike a nerve like "the Vatican is not looking to adapt, modernize or open itself to new interpretations. Recent Vatican statements against women's ordination, and reaffirming priestly celibacy, are small examples."
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Re:the quote in the ABC article about "the petty gossip of dominant opinion":
ReplyDeleteThis was taken out of context. Benedict did not dismiss pedophilia as "gossip." In fact he met with abuse victims in the US, Australia, Canada. He uttered those words right after the press tried to link him to abuse cases in Germany. So the effort at linking to abuse was the "petty gossip," not the abuse of children.
I am a big fan of Papa Ratzi since he can dish out words that say the truth. Like the one about Islam at the dying days of the Byzantine Empire.
ReplyDeleteAlso Papa Ratzinger thinks extremely clearly. Compare this with the muddled thinking of Richard Dawkins!