Modern society is formulating an “anti-Christian creed” and punishing those who resist it with “social excommunication,” Benedict XVI has said in a new biography, published in Germany May 4.
In a wide-ranging interview at the end of the 1,184-page book, written by German author Peter Seewald, the pope emeritus said the greatest threat facing the Church was a “worldwide dictatorship of seemingly humanistic ideologies.”
Benedict XVI, who resigned as pope in 2013, made the comment in response to a question about what he had meant at his 2005 inauguration, when he urged Catholics to pray for him “that I may not flee for fear of the wolves.”
He told Seewald that he was not referring to internal Church matters, such as the “Vatileaks” scandal, which led to the conviction of his personal butler, Paolo Gabriele, for stealing confidential Vatican documents.
In an advanced copy of Benedikt XVI – Ein Leben (A Life), seen by Catholic News Agency, the pope emeritus said: “Of course, issues such as ‘Vatileaks’ are exasperating and, above all, incomprehensible and highly disturbing to people in the world at large.”
He continued: “A hundred years ago, everyone would have thought it absurd to speak of homosexual marriage. Today whoever opposes it is socially excommunicated. The same applies to abortion and the production of human beings in the laboratory….”
The biography, issued by Munich-based publisher Droemer Knaur, is available only in German. An English translation, “Benedict XVI, The Biography: Volume One,” will be published in the U.S. on Nov. 17….
The above comes from a May 4 story in the Catholic News Agency.
And he is right! If you’re not sure, just mention your opposition to abortion, contraception, IVF, and same sex “marriage” and brace for the reaction. A lot of people are so steeped in today’s toxic culture that they don’t even know there is opposition to these evils, and they will be angry at you for telling them so.
Do it now and get that Thanksgiving table conversation out of the way!
Oh Benedict, why oh why did you resign? You were perfectly placed to maintain a high-profile prophetic voice against all the craziness of the PC culture, and it seems to me that you just got up and ran for the hills. Please tell me I am wrong!
I agree with you 100%.
You quit, Benedict. Keep your observations private.
I agree, Jeff. I keep thinking the same thing when reading about his reaction: You gave it UP! You gave it UP! You should NOT have done that.
Was he SO naive he didn’t know he would lose his power and influence? REALLY??? WHAT did he think would happen? He’s irrelevant, now, because he CHOSE to be.
Not only THAT, but he left us SHEEP alone! He ran for the hills and left the sheep to be slaughtered. WHAT DID HE THINK WOULD HAPPEN???
As far as “Anonymous” commenting that Benedict is in his 90s and whether he is physically capable of meeting the demands of the Papacy? Look at John Paul II at the end. You think that man didn’t SUFFER? Look how he literally hung onto the crucifix when they’d photo him. Isn’t that what is meant by “finishing strong”? You HANG IN there, whether you feel like it or not.
And who did you think kept the “ship” going when Pope John Paul II was seriously ill. Cardinal Radzinger of course. I really think he just could not stand traveling around, was worn out and prefers writing books in peace, which many of us just love to read. He still has influence and long after he is dead will have influence. He is a Benedictine not a Franciscan. Nothing wrong with that.
Many are seeking out “the Benedict Option”, or even the St. Anthony of the Desert Option. Things are easier when young. Not so much when older.
Did you read the article? Please give the Pope-emeritus a break! The book is a biography by Peter Seewald. Benedict is not grandstanding or seeking publicity. He is a wise and holy man. None of us know why he resigned (and I’m not saying that he should have or should not have). As noted, for those who, among other things, love the TLM, be grateful. He reaffirmed clearly many important Catholic teachings. Let us pray for him. And, maybe give him “the benefit of the doubt.” And, let’s redouble our prayers for the current Pope. Saint John Paul, pray for Pope Francis and all of us. Saint Francis, pray for Pope Francis and all of us. Blessed Mother, pray for Pope Francis and all of us.
Benedict is in his 90s. Is he physically capable of meeting the demands of the Papacy?
Like all of us who love him and thanked him for the Motu Proprio his bringing back the TLM to us, we will always wonder who and what made him resign? Just when we thought he had the Church returning to its pre-Vatican II norms BOOM! he steps aside.