Almost curiously, the May 1, 2013, issue of L'Osservatore Romano dedicates a page to Benedict XVI - with two long articles comparing theologian Joseph Ratzinger to Erik Petersen, the evangelical theologian turned Catholic he admired and spoke about on a couple of occasions when he was Pope, in connection with a symposium on May 2 about the two theologians; and a brief item recounting a recent tribute from Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Munich.
Two theological itineraries
Translated from the 5/1/13 issue of
A symposium on "Joseph Ratzinger and Erik Petersen: Two theological tineraries" will be held May 2 at the Pontificia Universita della Santa Croce
dies academicus (academic day) organized by the Pontifical Theological Academy, in collaboration with the Rome-based Fondazione Vaticana Joseph Ratzinger/Benedetto XVI and its earlier counterpart, the Institut Papst Benedikt XVI in Regensburg,
Fr. Manlio Sodi, president of the Pontifical Theological Academy, said "the symposium will explore three great themes that are particularly relevant to a comparison of the theological course pursued by the two - Biblical theology, liturgical theology, and their reflections on secular culture in the light of theological anthropology and Christian philosophy throughout history".
The OR then reproduces two excerpts from lectures to be given at the symposium - one comparing the background and theological development of the two men, the other examining their reflections on secular culture.
[Since the articles are lengthy, I will post the translations later.]
Then, a short news item from Germany, in which a German prelate speaks up about Benedict XI for the first time I am aware of since he stepped down as Pope...
Benedict XVI and his continuing
wonder at what God has wrought
Translated from the 5/1/13 issue of
Cardinal Marx at the Aenania tribute.
Cardinal Reinhard Marx, Archbishop of Munich-Freising, says Benedict XVI has left the Catholic Church many innovative impulses, and adds that "His great Pontificate, with his teaching and his inspiration, will penetrate deeply into the future of the Church".
Cardinal Marx spoke on April 27 during an evening to pay tribute to Benedict XVI organized by the student association Aenania of Munich, of which Joseph Ratzinger had been an honorary member since 1978.
[The 'Aenania" formally called the Katholische Deutsche Studenten Verbindung zu Muenchen (German Catholic Student Association of Munich) was the founding member of a federation (Cartellverband) of male fraternities that now counts with 125 similar student organizations in Germany, Austria and Switzerland/As Archbishop of Munich=Freising, Cardinal Ratzinger was its Patron as well as honorary member. The KDStVs are fraternities founded in the 19th century as part of a Catholic front to resist the pressures of the Prussian government to reduce Catholic influence in Germany.]
He said that as a theologian, Benedict XVI "never ceased to be curious and to marvel continuously at what God can do" and taught at the same time that "man should continue to discover the Gospel as the 'news' par excellence, and to safeguard it not as if it were treasures in a museum but as a constant source of rebirth, of renewal of the faith, of Catholic life, of the Church as a whole, and of every individual".
He said Benedict XVI considered the Catholic faith as "the greatest spiritual adventure of the human spirit, that is also demanding and aims to lead us to the great things that matter".
[Of course, I found out by checking the site of the Archdiocese of Munich-Freising, that the OR item used the first few paragraphs of a press release by the Archdiocese. I will add the rest of it after translation.
Honoring St. Pius V
Another curiosity in today's OR is that Page 8, usually reserved for news about the current Pope, is dedicated almost completely to St. Pius V, with an article about him written by Mons. Gerhard Mueller, Prefect of the CDF, whose patron saint is the great Pope of the Counter-Reformation, an item and photo of Mons. Mueller celebrating Mass at the CDF chapel on Pius V's feast day yesterday,
and an interview about Pius V with the rector of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where the Pope-saint is buried.
The caption says: "Following a custom by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger when he was Prefect of the CDF, Mons. Mueller said Mass at the CDF chapel yesterday (April 30) on the feast day of St. Pius V, patron of the Congregation."
About Benedict XVI's return
to the Vatican tomorrow
VATICAN CITY, April 30 (Translated from AGI) - "Benedict XVI is an old man, but as far as his health is concerned, there are no specific pathologies at this time," Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, reiterated today to questions from newsmen.
He confirmed that the emeritus Pope will return to the Vatican on Thursday afternoon, May 2, "where he will be welcomed at the Vatican heliport with great consideration". He did not say whether Pope Francis would be present at the arrival.
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 01/05/2013 15:06]