Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI.
As I said: I SO hate when you are right...
I really should actually listen to you more often...
::humbled look::
To answer your question, I think yes. But I doubt the former Chief Inquisitor is worried about declining numbers- he'd prefer "a few good men" (the Marian Corps?) who buy into papal maximalism rather than a bunch of squabblers who think they might have something to add.
Maybe he'll address Islam, but I suspect he'll spend most of his time getting rid of the chaff...
I expect:
1. a great howling in the US as imprimaturs are revoked, and quite a number of people are flatly kicked out.
2. as you implied, papal maximalism to be taught as official history, with minimalism looked upon as heretical at worst or vaguely squishy and ill-informed at best.
3. Ecumenism is dead. B16's supporters don't carry that spirit even to their fellows in faith: I have a hard time foreseeing anything constructive with the Protestants or Orthodox besides "we're right and you're wrong, come back to obedience with us."
4. It seems unlikely that B16 will cozy up to dictators the way that JPII did in his later life: I would be seriously surprised if B16 pulled a "Tariq Aziz special" the way that JPII did.
5. Lastly, I suspect that B16 himself will surprise a lot of people by holding out an olive branch to those who want reform in the church -- so long as they are willing to respect the enforcement of the previously-stated maximalism.
I think you're spot on.
As for Ecumenism, I have a hunch that although most of it will go out the window, he might reach out to the Orthodox churches. Just a hunch...
A papal maximalist cannot reach out to the Orthodox Church. Or, he can, but only if he has a tin ear. A Pope who is content merely to be Bishop of Rome might... but one must understand the Orthodox perspective, in which most of what justifies maximalism rests upon a series of medieval theological changes that the Orthodox regard as baldly heretical in nature.
There is one sorta touchy-feely wing of the Orthodox that might keep talking... but mainstream Orthodox christians? Not a chance.
I'm not saying he'd be successful, only that he might. Then again, he might be too busy kicking out all the Americans...
Your point #5 is well put: "Sure, we can be friends, so long as you recognize that I'm right and you're not."
Well, those Americans who aren't over at the Jelly-Pinched Wolf gleefully anticipating "the smackdown."
Ah, well... bahala na...
Yeah. I think it's time to give up and start listening to the old woman, after all.
Looks like oikumene MIGHT continue:
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news...p_on_re_eu/
pope
Otoh, there are many ways to interpret this; so, we shall see...
Note the outright skepticism on the part of the Orthodox bishop: that integral to B16's maximalism (what you and I as medievalists call the papal monarchy).
All told, much what I expected. I believe that Ratzinger is a hardliner. I also believe that he is much more sensitive and intellectually humble than many of his fans. Like Hus facing the Chiliasts, I think that B16 would be horrified by the self-righteous "urge to purge" that has characterized much of conservative Catholicism in the past week. A lot of conservatives are going to get a rude come-uppins when they see how he treats true reformers within the church, rather than the so-called "dissident priests."
Also, though I believe that the celibacy of the priesthood should be lifted, I think that others of his stands are not only appropriate, but necessary. Did I sin by unplugging Mom? No. But I could hardly be any kind of Christian if I supported euthenasia as it exists in Europe now, where the convenience of the sick.
(cont) in relation to their relatives has Ibeen legally upheld >/i> as having been acceptable as a standard for behavior. -- and the abortion canard is a simple misquote.
Wish I could convince Kevin to post on this subject... :::sigh:::
Convince me to post on what? Abortion? I think that secularist and democrats should continue having lots of them...
Commenting by HaloScan
