“I applaud this initiative,” writes Pope Benedict. “It contradicts the foolish prejudice of those who see Pope Francis as someone who lacks a particular theological and philosophical formation, while I would have been solely a theorist of theology with little understanding of the concrete lives of today’s Christian.
(click image to enlarge)
Benedict XVI’s letter to Msgr Dario Edoardo Viganò.
(See bottom of post for entire text of the letter.)
(See bottom of post for entire text of the letter.)
The Pope Emeritus writes that he is grateful to have received the set of 11 books edited by Roberto Repole, President of the Italian Theological Association. Pope Benedict XVI adds that these volumes “reasonably demonstrate that Pope Francis is a man with profound philosophical and theological formation and are helpful to see the interior continuity between the two pontificates, even with all the differences in style and temperament.”
Two peas in a modernist pod.
***** UPDATED 13 MARCH 2018 *****
The text of Benedict XVI’s letter
Benedictus XVI
Papa Emeritus
Rev.mo Signore
Mons. Dario Edoardo Viganò
Prefetto della
Segreteria per la Comunicazione
Città del Vaticano
7 febbraio 2018
Reverendissimo Monsignore,
I thank you for your courteous letter of January 12 and for the attached gift of the eleven small volumes edited by Roberto Repole.
I applaud this initiative which is intended to oppose and react to the foolish prejudice according to which Pope Francis would be only a practical man devoid of particular theological or philosophical formation, while I would be solely a theoretician of theology who could understand little of the concrete life of a Christian today.
The little volumes demonstrate, rightly so, that Pope Francis is a man of profound philosophical and theological formation, and they therefore help in seeing the interior continuity between the two pontificates, albeit with all the differences of style and temperament. Nonetheless, I do not feel that I can write a brief and dense theological page about them because for my whole life it has always been clear that I would write and express myself only on books that I had also truly read. Unfortunately, even if only for physical reasons, I am not able to read the eleven little volumes in the near future, all the more so in that I am under other obligations to which I have already agreed.
I am sure that you will understand, and I extend to you my cordial greeting.
Yours,
Benedict XVI
(English translation by Matthew Sherry, Ballwin, Missouri, U.S.A.)
The Double "Foolish Prejudice." The Complete Text of the Letter by Benedict XVI, Settimo Cielo (13 March 2018)
***** UPDATED 15 MARCH 2018 *****
Vatican publishes #fakenews in bid to divide and
conquer supporters of Francis & Benedict XVI
