Numerous controversies marked Benedict's time as pope and, later, as pope emeritus. Here's an analysis of his impact on Catholics and the world.
To many observers, Benedict, who died on Dec. 31, 2022 at the age of 95, was known for criticizing what he saw as the modern world's rejection of God and Christianity's timeless truths. But as a scholar of the diversity of global Catholicism, I think it's best to avoid simple characterizations of Benedict's theology, which I believe will influence the Catholic Church for generations.
As pope, Benedict would later reject more progressive interpretations of the council as a revolutionary event that was intended to remake the Catholic Church. While the council did bring substantial changes to Catholic life, particularly by allowing mass in local languages, Benedict resisted any suggestion that the Second Vatican Council was calling for a fundamental break with centuries-old Catholic doctrine and tradition.
As a skilled theologian, Ratzinger was chosen by Pope John Paul II to head the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which oversees and enforces Catholic doctrine. In this position, Cardinal Ratzinger disciplined a number of theologians. Most notable was the case of American priest and theologian Charles Curran, who was fired from The Catholic University of America because he challenged official Catholic teachings on sexuality.
For many survivors of clerical sexual abuse, these actions were not nearly enough. Benedict did not move to open Vatican records to public investigation, and he also failed to discipline cardinals and bishops who reassigned pedophile priests. World 'God's Rottweiler': Benedict shaped Catholic doctrine but faced criticism for handling of sexual abuse crisis National In US, sharply contrasting views on Benedict XVI's legacy Theological writings
In the third encyclical, Caritas in Veritate, or"Charity in Truth," Benedict argues that charity is fundamentally related to justice. And when it comes to questions of human progress and fulfillment, we cannot place our trust in the nation state or market economies because"without God, man neither knows which way to go, nor even understands who he is."
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