Is Benedict XVI as committed as John Paul II to ecumenism and Mary?

[Bill_Jackson]

Is Pope Benedict XVI as committed to ecumenism and the veneration of Mary as Pope John Paul II was?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

Pope Benedict has given every indication that he is as committed to authentic ecumenism as was John Paul II. Ecumenism, rightly understood, is basically dialogue within the Christian tradition that seeks an authentic understanding among and eventual reunification with Christian believers. (It is not dialogue with non-Christians; that is known as interreligious dialogue.) While visiting Cologne, Germany, for World Youth Day 2005, Pope Benedict said:

Together we can rejoice in the fact that the [ecumenical] dialogue, with the passage of time, has brought about a renewed sense of our brotherhood and has created a more open and trusting climate between Christians belonging to the various churches and ecclesial communities. My venerable predecessor, in his encyclical Ut Unum Sint (1995), saw this as an especially significant fruit of dialogue (cf. nn. 41ff.; 64).

I feel the fact that we consider one another brothers and sisters, that we love one another, that together we are witnesses of Jesus Christ, should not be taken so much for granted. I believe that this brotherhood is in itself a very important fruit of dialogue that we must rejoice in, continue to foster and to practice (source).

As for Pope Benedict’s regard for the Virgin Mary, there is every reason to believe that he does indeed have a devotion to her since he included mention of her during his remarks when he was introduced to the world as the new pope on April 19:

In the joy of the resurrected Lord, trustful of his permanent help, we go ahead, sure that God will help. And Mary, his most beloved mother, stands on our side (source).

For a more complete picture of Pope Benedict’s understanding of the Virgin Mary, I recommend the book by him on Mary, linked below, published when he was Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger.

Recommended reading:

Daughter Zion by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI)