What happens when you read Benedict XVI's writings?

Something shocking. Something astounding. Something incredible.

You learn what he actually thinks and believes.

Yep, that's right. You find out that he's not the nasty, close-minded, ultra-right-wing Catholic coot he is made out to be:

 Out of curiosity, I started to read the writings of this new Pope. I was amazed to discover how well he grasped the complexities of the modern world, and how concerned he was to define the Church’s role in the face of modernity. His reputation as a conservative precedes him, but this label does not at all do justice to the nuances of his thought. Benedict strikes me as a true modern — perhaps the first modern pope — one who understands and recognizes the growing differentiation and autonomy of the various spheres of human life.

And that from a Catholic, who then goes on to write a nice little piece for Inquirer (Philippines) about his new discoveries. Here's hoping others follow his lead. And for those who are wondering where to start, I usually recommend this book by him and this book about him. But there are plenty of options.

Of course, there are other folks who will be satisfied playing the name and blame game, such as the author of a piece, "Pope Benedict XVI is a jackass," (be prepared for an offensive picture of the Pope covered with a condom) published in The Martlet, which is "an independent weekly student newspaper at the University of Victoria in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada." Independent, it appears, of any semblance of civilized discourse and informed thought. It brings to mind this quote from Archbishop Fulton Sheen: "Liberalism defines freedom as the right to do whatever you please, and that is the way freedom is understood by 90% of young Americans [and Canadians] educated in non-religious institutions. If freedom means that, it means anarchy" (from God and War).

Comments

[Dino]

HH Benedict XVI is a man of his times. He has seen the rise and fall of Nazism in his homeland, he has seen the rise and fall of totalitarian regimes in eastern Europe. He has known personally Catholics, lay and clergy, who suffered under both.
In reality, labeling him as a dour conservative, or putting any other label on the Vicar of Christ, is foolish exercize.
His writings and public statements reflect an educated, balanced Catholic leader who has a firm grasp upon what the Church is to be about, and upon the way the world is today.

[Mary Linda]

I absolutely LOVE Pope Benedict XVI! His writings are wonderful. He is brilliant, but compassionate, loving and joyful . . . i.e. a real CHRISTIAN.

[Manuel G. Daugherty Razetto]

I am so glad that finally someone like Carl Olson gives us a new interpretation of who and what is our new Pope. It is simplistic to label BXVI as only a conservative since he is much more than that. For the first time we see a pope that has a comprehensive view of History and the Thinking of Man. I was, early in his reign, surprised to see that BXVI presented himself as a wise religious man that has no hesitation of speaking from the highest pulpit of the Church, with a profound knowledge and judgment of other religions and cultures. He has no qualms quoting men that are critical of our beliefs, our God etc. He acknowledges the great contribution of other thinkers, even when they may disagree , totally, with our Faith.
I shall give an example: Loisy was a renegade catholic priest that nobody quotes; Renan is another ex-priest that theologians in our Church ignore totally. They label him as 'antiquated' or 'non-pious' But we can not ignore that Loisy was a Dr. in Comparative Religion that left us with a comprehensive study of the Sacred Scriptures that is worth reading.
BXVI speaks with profound insight about Hindu or Buddhist philosophies
as well.
We are witnesses to the admirable reign of an unsusual pope who is wise, holy, , and a consummate philosopher.

[pattif]

What did it for me was reading his The Spirit of the Liturgy. I realised that I was not some lone madwoman muttering to myself in the attic.

The Holy Father is living proof that it takes a really intelligent person to write about complex subjects in a manner comprehensible to us lesser mortals.