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Has anyone read Pope Benedict's (then Cardinal Ratzinger), "Called to Communion: Understanding the Church Today" ?

If so, what was your take on his ecclesiology and ecumenism?

I bet Amazon.com, Borders, and Barnes & Noble are getting requests now for more of his publications.

Joe

Dear LGC:

When he was created Cardinal (Order of Priests) by Pope Paul VI in 1977, he was given title to the Church of St. Mary of Consolation in Triburtina, a suburb of Rome.

When he was elevated to the Order of Bishops in 1993 by Pope John Paul II, he was given the title to the Suburbicarian See of Velletri-Signi.

When he was elected Dean in 2003 (after being SubDean since 1998), he assumed the title to the Suburbicarian See of Ostia, the traditional and historical See/Church of the Dean of the College of Cardinals, in addition to Velletri-Signi.

Amado

Dear Joe:

I did not know until now that Pope Benedict XVI, fka Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, was/is a prolific writer.

I thought only of him as the "principal" author of the "Catechism of the Catholic Church," having president over its 6-year preparation.

Can you give us a synopsis of his individual writings every time you finished reading them?

Amado

Dear Amado.

I heard that Cardinal Christoph Sch�nborn was principal author of the Catechism.

Cardinal Ratzinger's involvment would be logical though. Please clarify for me.

Paul

Dear Paul:

Please pardon me for alarming you!

Noticed that I put "principal" in quotes followed by a "wink"? Yes, you might be right that Christoph Cardinal Sch�nborn was the principal author, or, at least, the "editor." However, many view the Catechism as the result of the collaborative work of many Cardinals, Archbishops, and Bishops.

My allusion to Cardinal Ratzinger was his Presidency of the "Commission for the Preparation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church," and after 6 years of work (1986-92) he presented the new Catechism to the then Holy Father, Pope John Paul II.

Not to denigrate the contribution of the Austrian Cardinal at all!

Amado

Thanks Amado,

While it is important to know who the Holy Father entrusted the writing of the CCC. The bottom line is that he signed off on the front page as its publisher!

Thank you John Paul II, et al, for a clear, readable, and authoritative catechism of the teachings of Christ's church.

The CCC was recommended to me by my parish priest. The Catechism has served me well.

Paul

Dear Paul:

Yes, the CCC is well-written!

Pope John Paul II authorized the Commission to come out with a "Compendium," some sort of a summary of the CCC.

I am unsure whether this has been done or in process!

Amado

God grant Benedict XVI, Pope of Rome, many happy years!
Stephanos I

Isn't it funny how the media (which, I'm sorry, I tend to see not as liberal at all; I think it's more conservative than anything*) labels heterodoxy within the Church as "progressive"?

Progressive towards what? The path to Hell? Well, yes, I suppose...but generally one thinks of "progress" as a good thing. Instead, it has been set in opposition to orthodoxy through the use of this misnomer.

On a side, note, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has always struck me as an incredibly intelligent man. This is not to say that I don't think most of the other cardinals as well as Pope John Paul II were not intellectual giants in their own right, but whenever Benedict XVI walked into a room (even with these other men present), my eyes just seemd to gravitate to him- - -you can almost feel the sheer genius emanating from him. Maybe that's just me.

And I do not see how Malachy's prophecies about the "Gloria Olivae" have come to pass whatsoever in this Teutonic pontiff. Not that I placed any credence in them initially, but this just seems to confirm.

God Grand His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI many years!

Logos Teen

*There is no equivalent to the evils of FOX News and its rabidly unbridled lust for political conservatism. Honestly, I think CNN and MSNBC are fair and balanced and never offer liberal commentary from their employees. Of course, when someone liberal gets interviewed, they will say liberal things (like that pscyhotic, egomaniacal Catholic "nun" on CNN last night)...but both sides of each story deserve to be told. FOX squelches all voices but its own fascist one. Anyway, that's my rant!!! Thanks for reading.

You said:

* Honestly, I think CNN and MSNBC are fair and balanced and never offer liberal commentary from their employees. Of course, when someone liberal gets interviewed, they will say liberal things (like that pscyhotic, egomaniacal Catholic "nun" on CNN last night)...but both sides of each story deserve to be told. FOX squelches all voices but its own fascist one. Anyway, that's my rant!!! Thanks for reading."

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Dear Logos,

I find the Liberal bias abhorrent on MSNBC and CNN, yet you find it unbiased. It seems we have a different perspective on what would be considered the 'center' of the political spectrum.

Zenovia

It is not acceptable for anyone to refer to anyone else as �fascist�. Such rants are unchristian and will not be tolerated here on the Forum.

We are supposed to be adult Christians. Those who act like children will be treated like children. Since this is Garrett�s second major offense in less than 3 months this time he has earned himself a 60 day time out.