He kind of looks like a gremlin. And more conservative than John Paul II. And instrumental in crushing Liberation Theology in Latin America as well as a proponent in centralising power at the Vatican rather than spreading it amongst the bishops around the world. Vatican II was a mistake, apparently. All that sixties idealism. Alas.
So much for moving into the 21st century for the Church.
Update: apparently he was a member of the Hitler Youth.
Update 2: he's 78 this year so it probably--hopefully--won't be a long pontificate.
Update 3, from the BBC:
Wolfgang Cooper, a commentator on religious affairs in Germany, fears that the cardinal could become a divisive figure in the papacy.
'I think if Cardinal Ratzinger was pope, a large distance could grow between the leadership of the Church and the faith,' he predicted before the result was known.
The cardinal is a 'scientist' who 'prefers intellectual discussions', says Mr Cooper, whereas many Catholics want priests and bishops 'who will touch the hearts'.
No comments:
Post a Comment