The Pope's interview book:
A breath of clean fresh air
Translated from
23/11/2010
Yes, let us talk of condoms, but not just that, nor even mainly that. Because Benedict XVI has given us so much more than that necessary clarification.
He has demonstrated to us the faith that broadens reason, and reason that looks into the depth of mystery. And he has done so in a heart-to-heart conversation with the German journalist Peter Seewald in a book that cannot have a more appropriate title.
Light of the world.
There have been similar interviews in the past with recent Popes. The French intellectual Andre Frossard offered us conversations with Paul VI and John Paul II. But they were much more rigid, pre-planned, nothing like this breath of fresh air, this open window we are shown in the Seewald-Ratzinger conversations.
There is nothing prefabricated nor taken for granted here, to the certain despair of many an ecclesiastic. Here we have questions posed by a convert who came out of the European radical left, and the responses of a Christian, a worker in the Lord's vineyard called to strap on the sandals of the fisherman from Galilee.
In every line, one feels the man Joseph Ratzinger vibrate, even as he reveals, inseparably, the heart and mind of Pope Benedict XVI. Total surprise and growing wonder at the man and the Pope, one and the same. Because there seems to be no fissure at all between the humble man who needs God's mercy like all of us and the Universal Pastor who must guide the Church in her hour of torment.
His own questions, his weaknesses, his human unease, come through so clearly that they evoke tenderness. His acute analysis, his theologian's precision, his intelligence that seems as vast as the sea, leave us amazed.
Pope Benedict does not avoid any of the questions that come at him from across the table like a drill hammer: women in the Church, the global economic crisis, the venomous serpent of drugs, the difficult relations with the Hews, the silences of Pius XII, the bestial pain caused by priestly sex offenses, the sensation of defeat among many in the Church, the construction of mosques in Europe, what he thinks about resignation... Who could have given more?
Of course, he ran a risk. But did not the Apostle Paul when he tackled the Athenians in the Areopagus?
I have now read commentaries of all kinds: by those who are fascinated but perplexed, those who acknowldge the modernity of this Pope, others who tremble within, some who smile cynically and say 'It's too late!"
I am reminded of the Lord's question: "Who do people say that I am?" In this case, what do people think the Church is? - this boat which to many seems all rusted but nonetheless continues to ride the waves.
Then a sudden storm because the head of the Christian army that has been fighting daily against AIDS in the very trenches of that pandemic said there may be cases where the use of a condom [out of concern not to infect another individual] could be the first step towards moralization, towards an awareness that not everything may be done just because it can be done, and using a hypothetical male prostitute as context.
He didn't indicate any major or minor change in Catholic doctrine, but a very timely transparency pointing to a practice that the Church has tacitly recognized but has not articulated as perhaps it ought to be.
But when anyone deliberately separates himself from the human significance of sexuality - outside, that is, of its natural context of love, giving and fidelity - and one could place the life of others at risk, then using a condom would be responsible and appropriate.
Nonetheless, to focus the question of AIDS prevention on the distribution of condoms (even by airdrop, as some of our leaders advocate), is suicidal because it simply encourages the banalization of sexuality and would eventually result in the most resounding failure in the battle against the pandemic.
Once again, the Pope says that 'to humanize sexuality' is the only integral human response, not just to combat AIDS, but to liberate so many men and women from enslavement to a sexuality that has simply become an addictive drug that leads to solitude and violence.
His answer to the question on the 1968 encyclical
Humanae Vitae [which prohibits Catholics from using artifical means of birth control] is fascinating:
"The perspectives of
Humanae vitae remain valid, but it is something else to find ways that are humanly practicable. I think there will always be minorities intimately convinced of the rightness of those perspectives, and who, in living them, remain fully content, so that they become fascinating models for others to follow. We are sinners. But we should not use this fact to act against truth, as when people do not live up to its high morality. We must try to do all we can to support and sustain ourselves reciprocally."
I wish to end this emotional and grateful glimpse into the book with the Pope's hope for the future of the Church. In spite of all appearances, he sees that "at present, a new creativity has been developing". He acknowledges that the Church "bureaucracy is worn out and exhausted", but that 'initiatives born from within, from the joy of young people" are germinating.
In the future, "Christianity will perhaps have a new face, a different cultural aspect... Clearly, it will not determine global public opinion" but it will continue to be "the vital force without which other things will be unable to continue existing".
And that therefore, "in the light of what I see and what i am able to do from personal experience, I am very optimistic that Christianity is facing a new dynamic".
Here's a review of the book by the Bishop of Kansas City, who wrote this for his diocesan newspaper before leaving to go to Rome to attend last weekend's consistory:
A US bishop writes his diocese
to tell them about the book
Nov. 22, 2010
Dear friends,
I recently had the opportunity to read an advance copy of a new book by Pope Benedict XVI. Entitled, “Light of the World: The Pope, The Church, and the Signs of the Times,” published by Ignatius Press. It is a book-length conversation between the Holy Father and the German journalist, Peter Seewald, and it reaches the market this week. I don’t want you to think that I get any fee for saying so, but this text is another great gift from “Papa Ratzinger” to the Church.
In this first ever such interview of a sitting Pope, the Holy Father takes on the most direct, challenging and heart wrenching issues and questions of the day, including the response of the Church to the scandal of priest sexual abuse, the tension and promise of dialogue with other Christian and non-Christian denominations; as well as the somewhat neuralgic propositions urging the abandonment of priestly celibacy and the promotion of women’s ordination. Pope Benedict receives these and many other questions with warmth, and addresses them with reasonableness and candor.
This is the third published interview between the two men, Peter Seewald and now-Pope Joseph Ratzinger. The previous books, “Salt of the Earth,” and “God and the World,” came out during the latter’s tenure as Prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. This time we hear the successor of St. Peter – and it is a quick and enlightening read.
When I picked up the earlier works some years ago, I was amazed at the ability of Cardinal Ratzinger to synthesize and explain – without notes and previous knowledge of the questions – complex and nuanced topics with apparent calm and kindness. He wants people to understand the Church he loves, and he has extraordinary talents as a teacher.
As George Weigel says in the Foreword to the new book, the Pope speaks in “full paragraphs.” Again, the interview was conducted for several hours sitting face to face without notes. His answers are well-organized and focused. His responses are concise but substantive. This is not “sound bite” theology, and I hope people won’t just pick through it – but read it in its entirety for the full picture.
The Pope speaks about his election as Pontiff, his emotions, and ultimate trust in God. He talks about what he does in an evening where he has relaxing time. He tells of how he found himself weeping as victims recounted their narratives of abuse. The Pope chides the interviewer for recounting all the things he has had to say “no” to over the years, and asks us to recall some more positive initiatives.
In the most trying situations he has faced, in the perilous circumstances of planet earth, in the face of serious challenges of peace and unity, the Holy Father offers again and again his conviction of authentic Christian hope. It is very uplifting. We see that God has placed at our head a holy father, a wise and good shepherd.
As this goes to press I am happy to be able to make a rather brief trip to Rome to witness the Consistory and creation of new cardinals on the Sunday of Christ the King.
There, in particular, I plan to congratulate Cardinal Raymond Burke, former Archbishop of St. Louis and now Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura, “chief justice of the Church’s Supreme Court,” and a good friend. He was the principal consecrator at my episcopal ordination here in May, 2004.
Though I do not anticipate having the opportunity to greet Pope Benedict on this visit, I know I carry with me your affection for him, and our prayerful gratitude for our Holy Father. May our Blessed Mother protect him and keep him close to her Son.
Most Rev. Robert W. Finn
Bishop of Kansas City – St. Joseph
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 24/11/2010 13:30]