Theological Highlights of Vatican II
Pope Benedict XVI
Jan 2009 · Paulist Press
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About this ebook
Fr. Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, writes about the Council from the experience of one who was there-one who took part as an official peritus or expert in the work of Vatican II. Regarded as one of the outstanding young theologians to emerge from the conciliar period, the author mirrors in his observations here his intimate familiarity with the theological issues discussed, the positions taken, and the battles fought. But he does not seek to record the "diplomatic factors, intramural power plays, and antagonism among groups." His purpose is to "attempt to delineate the inner aspects, the spiritual profile of the Council." The book includes a special preface by the author setting forth the character of the observations as his "account of a personal journey through the landscape of each session, with an open view toward further developments." There is also a new introduction written by Thomas Rausch, SJ, that provides a balanced and contemporary context for the book. Book jacket.
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About the author
Joseph Ratzinger was born on April 16, 1927 in Marktl am Inn in the state of Bavaria, Germany. Ratzinger entered the minor seminary in Traunstein, in 1939 and in 1943 along with the rest of his seminary class he was drafted into the Flak [anti-aircraft corps]. In 1944 he was released from the Flak and returned home only to be drafted into labor detail under the infamous Austrian Legion. In the spring of 1945 Ratzinger deserted the army and headed home but when the Americans arrive at his village shortly thereafter, he was identified as a German soldier and incarcerated in a POW camp for a brief time. Following his release he re-entered the seminary. In 1951 Joseph was ordained into the priesthood and began lectures as a full professor of fundamental theology at the University of Bonn. From 1962-65 Ratzinger was present during all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council as a peritus, or chief theological advisor to Cardinal Joseph Frings of Cologne, Germany.. In 1977 Joseph Ratzinger was appointed Archbishop of Munich and Freising and on June 27 elevated to Cardinal of Munich by Pope Paul VI. In 1981 Ratzinger accepted Pope John Paul II's invitation to take over as Prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and in 1986 he was appointed head of a 12-member commission responsible for drafting the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Cardinal Ratzinger was elected vice dean of the College of Cardinals in 1988. In 2002 Pope John Paul II, approved his election as dean of the College of Cardinals. On April 8, 2005, Cardinal Ratzinger presided over the funeral of Pope John Paul II. On April 19, 2005, Cardinal Ratzinger was elected Bishop of Rome on the fourth ballot of the conclave and took the name Benedict XVI.
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