Cardinal Ratzinger is perhaps the most controversial figure in the Church today, a subject awaiting an author. Various articles about him have appeared, but no book, until the recent appearance of that by John L. Allen, Jr., Vatican … [Read more...]
A Question of Fairness
A review of Cardinal Ratzinger: The Vatican's Enforcer of the Faith, by John Allen
Pope Benedict XVI
Editorial, April 2009
Last October I spent three weeks in Rome covering the synod on the Bible. During that time I was able to see Pope Benedict XVI at several events—Sunday Masses and Wednesday audiences in St. Peter’s Square. In April he will be 83 and will com … [Read more...]
The Year of St. Paul
Editorial, March 2009
The greatest missionary in the history of the Church was the convert Saul of Tarsus who, by the grace of God, was changed from a persecutor of Jesus and his Church to the Apostle to the Gentiles. He was born of Jewish parents in Tarsus, … [Read more...]
First Millennium Petrine ministry
The teachings of the Fathers show that the Church has always affirmed the primacy and supremacy of the bishop of Rome.
As I followed on television the pastoral visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the United States in April 2008, I was reminded of an observation made by a friend of mine during our vacation together the previous Christmas. My friend, marveling at … [Read more...]
Pastoral Interpretation in Pope Benedict’s Jesus of Nazareth
As a pastoral rather than an academic work, Jesus of Nazareth preaches a Gospel that is centered in the person of Christ.
Much has been said both in praise and in criticism of Benedict XVI’s Jesus of Nazareth. Fergus Kerr, a theologian writing in the The Tablet, calls it Joseph Ratzinger’s best book. Peter Steinfels, a journalist writing in Commonweal, finds it … [Read more...]
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