Pope Benedict's & Cardinal Sarah's New Book

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I think it’s relevant to see what the rules are for emeritus bishops, of which Benedict is one. See Chapter IX here:

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/c...22_apostolorum-successores_en.html#Chapter_IX

Some important excerpts:
For his part, the Bishop Emeritus will be careful not to interfere in any way, directly or indirectly, in the governance of the diocese. He will want to avoid every attitude and relationship that could even hint at some kind of parallel authority to that of the diocesan Bishop, with damaging consequences for the pastoral life and unity of the diocesan community. To this end, the Bishop Emeritus always carries out his activity in full agreement with the diocesan Bishop and in deference to his authority. In this way all will understand clearly that the diocesan Bishop alone is the head of the diocese, responsible for its governance.
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a) The Bishop Emeritus retains the right to preach the Word of God everywhere, unless the diocesan Bishop has expressly forbidden it in particular cases (692);
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a) The Bishop Emeritus continues to be a member of the episcopal College “by virtue of sacramental consecration and hierarchical communion with the head and members of the college”(704). Therefore, he has the right to assist the Roman Pontiff and to collaborate with him for the good of the whole Church. Furthermore, he has the right to take part in an Ecumenical Council, exercising a deliberative vote (705), and to exercise his collegial power within the terms of the law (706).
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f) The Bishop Emeritus has the right to manifest his solicitude for all the Churches, and, in a particular way, for missionary work, sustaining through his ministry the activity of missionaries so that the Kingdom of God may spread throughout the world.
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From the review on the whole thing I read, I don’t think this book on priesthood (it’s not just on celibacy) gives any indication or implication of a parallel authority, but rather manifests both authors’/contributors’ solicitude for the whole Church, the preaching of the truth on this topic, and to aid the Roman Pontiff in his duties toward the universal Church by spreading the truth on this topic.

Even if it does defend celibacy, why is this controversial? I thought the possible concession in the Amazon was a very, very narrow exception for those very specific circumstances, and the Church’s discipline, understanding, and esteem for celibacy was going to be left intact? If that’s true, then a book about celibacy should be a non-issue. It would only be controversial if there is an ulterior motive to make that exception the norm.
 
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Genesis315 said:
Even if it does defend celibacy, why is this controversial?
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Likely the issue was that all of the opinions expressed in the book simply were not the opinions of Pope Emeritus Benedict. There were no ulterior motives.
 
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Why is there always so much confusion and controversy?

As a convert of almost 12 years I get tired of all the confusion and controversy.
 
7_Sorrows said:
Why is there always so much confusion and controversy?
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I don’t think this is anything new. It seems to be part of the human condition.

A lot is stirred up by the media and it can be difficult to sort out what is true.

In the past decade the problem has got worse with the advent of social media. Now everyone and anybody can chime in with their opinion. It simply means the truth gets even more distorted.
7_Sorrows said:
As a convert of almost 12 years I get tired of all the confusion and controversy.
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I believe because religion is something so close to our hearts and so deep in us that controversy involving our faith or the Church or its hierarchy hurt or confuse more than other issues.
 
I wonder if it is true that Ignatius press will ignore the wish of Benedict to have his name removed as a co-author. If so why?
 
7_Sorrows said:
Why is there always so much confusion and controversy?
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My thoughts are that it is one thing to have discussion between the benefits of celibacy vs. marriage or a discussion about historically what it meant to be a married priest. This is not controversial. If Pope Emeritus Benedict wants to do this, Great! Perhaps this is even healthy.

It is altogether another thing to say that celibacy is directly tied to the nature of priesthood. This goes directly against Vatican II documents. Some have said that part of the book was implying this. This is controversial to say the least. I was stunned to read that Pope Emeritus Benedict put his name as an author on a book that said this. It now makes sense he is removing his name.
 
jack63 . . .
It is altogether another thing to say that celibacy is directly tied to the nature of priesthood.
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Celibacy HAS TO be directly tied to the nature of the priesthood because there is only ONE priest, Jesus Christ who is a celibate priest.

Other priests have a “share” in that one priesthood.

This does not mean married men cannot be ordained. Married men are ALREADY ordained in Eastern Rite Roman Catholic segments of the Church (and some exceptions for the Latin Rite as well).

At least that’s how I am taking this statement from Pope (emeritus) Benedict.
 
Feanor2 said:
I wonder if it is true that Ignatius press will ignore the wish of Benedict to have his name removed as a co-author. If so why?
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Money, for one. A book by Pope Emeritus Benedict is going to sell a lot more copies than one by Cardinal Sarah, who is virtually unknown outside of the Catholic far-right fringe.

Also, they would have to pay to redesign and reprint any books that are already being printed, at a loss.

They also wishfully believe in some conspiracy theory that Pope Emeritus Benedict was forced to “recant” by agents of “Anti-Pope” Francis. Ignatius Press is firmly in the black helicopter camp.
 
Cathoholic said:
Celibacy HAS TO be directly tied to the nature of the priesthood because there is only ONE priest, Jesus Christ who is a celibate priest.
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If somebody finds meaning and fulfillment in emulating Jesus in this way (i.e. celibacy). I think that is great! I sincerely hope there is always a path in Catholicism where this is possible through ordination as a priest or some type of consecration in a religious order for either men or woman.

However Vatican II really does seem to disentangle the priesthood and celibacy.

“Indeed, it (i.e. celibacy) is not demanded by the very nature of the priesthood, as is apparent from the practice of the early Church(35) and from the traditions of the Eastern Churches .”

Section 16 of Vatican II’s Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priest
(Celibacy is to be embraced and esteemed as a gift). Perfect and perpetual continence for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven, commended by Christ the Lord(33) and through the course of time as well as in our own days freely accepted and observed in a praiseworthy manner by many of the faithful, is held by the Church to be of great value in a special manner for the priestly life. It is at the same time a sign and a stimulus for pastoral charity and a special source of spiritual fecundity in the world.(34) Indeed, it is not demanded by the very nature of the priesthood, as is apparent from the practice of the early Church(35) and from the traditions of the Eastern Churches .
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http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decree_19651207_presbyterorum-ordinis_en.html

Not to pick a quarrel with you, but to say celibacy is “tied to” but “not demanded” by the nature of priesthood…wow it is hard to understand what you mean.
 
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GordonP said:
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Feanor2:
I wonder if it is true that Ignatius press will ignore the wish of Benedict to have his name removed as a co-author. If so why?
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Money, for one. A book by Pope Emeritus Benedict is going to sell a lot more copies than one by Cardinal Sarah, who is virtually unknown outside of the Catholic far-right fringe.

Also, they would have to pay to redesign and reprint any books that are already being printed, at a loss.

They also wishfully believe in some conspiracy theory that Pope Emeritus Benedict was forced to “recant” by agents of “Anti-Pope” Francis. Ignatius Press is firmly in the black helicopter camp.
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I didn’t know that. I just thought they were a neutral publisher. Good to know.
 
jack63 . . . .
Not to pick a quarrel with you, but to say celibacy is “tied to” but “not demanded” by the nature of priesthood…wow it is hard to understand what you mean.
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I understand that it is not “demanded” for ministerial priests to be ordained.

I have already stated (here) . . .
This does not mean married men cannot be ordained. Married men are ALREADY ordained in Eastern Rite Roman Catholic segments of the Church (and some exceptions for the Latin Rite as well).
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And you and I already discussed this as well in another thread (here) . . .
It isn’t “demanded”.

If it was “demanded” we would not have married men being ordained to the Priesthood in the Eastern Rites of the Catholic Church (and even the Latin Rite).

Nobody here is saying celibacy is “demanded”. At least I am not.
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The reason celibacy is associated or “directly tied to the nature” of the priesthood is because that priesthood is not independent of Christ.

The priesthood is “directly tied” to Jesus Himself who is a celibate priest.

We teach that there is ONE PRIEST, Jesus Christ (who again is celibate).

The people being ordained into Him, are not “independent” of that one Priesthood.

They are dependent on Jesus’ priesthood. Jesus’ celibate priesthood.

So that dimension of Jesus Christ is always present within the priesthood that Jesus gave to us.
 
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CCC 1545 The redemptive sacrifice of Christ is unique, accomplished once for all; yet it is made present in the Eucharistic sacrifice of the Church. The same is true of
the one priesthood of Christ;
it is made present through the ministerial priesthood without diminishing the uniqueness of Christ’s priesthood: “Only Christ is the true priest, the others being only his ministers.” 19
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Two participations in the one priesthood of Christ

CCC 1546 Christ, high priest and unique mediator, has made of the Church "a kingdom, priests for his God and Father."20 The whole community of believers is, as such, priestly. The faithful exercise their baptismal priesthood through their participation , each according to his own vocation, in Christ’s mission as priest, prophet, and king. Through the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation the faithful are "consecrated to be . . . a holy priesthood."21

CCC 1547 The ministerial or hierarchical priesthood of bishops and priests, and the common priesthood of all the faithful participate , “each in its own proper way,
in the one priesthood of Christ.”
While being “ordered one to another,” they differ essentially.22 In what sense? While the common priesthood of the faithful is exercised by the unfolding of baptismal grace --a life of faith, hope, and charity, a life according to the Spirit–, the ministerial priesthood is at the service of the common priesthood. It is directed at the unfolding of the baptismal grace of all Christians. The ministerial priesthood is a means by which Christ unceasingly builds up and leads his Church. For this reason it is transmitted by its own sacrament, the sacrament of Holy Orders.
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.

So in a certain sense, this dimension of celibacy is true even of the priesthood of all believers or the priesthood of all the baptized insofar as they SHARE in Christ’s ONE (celibate) priesthood.

Here are some Scripture verses reminding us that this function is “IN Christ” or “through Jesus”.
ROMANS 12:1, 4-5 1 I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship . . . . 4 For as in one body we have many members, and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body
in Christ,
and individually members one of another.
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HEBREWS 13:15-17 15 Through Jesus,
therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess His name. 16 And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. 17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.
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I think they are a neutral publisher. I mean, really, 'black helicopter camp?" are you really going to listen to what some anonymous internet poster SAYS (i.e. claims with no proof) are the ‘nefarious’ and underhanded reasons why a well-regarded Catholic publishing company is making statements?

Oh right. Surely they could not POSSIBLY have made a thorough study (as people who actually have the documents and know the people) and made a PROFESSIONAL judgment.

No, it has to be that they are in on ‘conspiracy theories’ and want mucho bucks. Right.

This, friend, is an example of the way in which people (perhaps well-intentioned themselves) have been conditioned to read and respond. . .always with the ‘attack’, the innuendo, the claims of ‘ill intent’, broadly brushed with the idea that SURELY the ‘intelligent’ reader has seen this ‘bias’. And since most people like to think of themselves as intelligent, how easy to make them want to shy away from ‘crazies’ or ‘money grubbers’.

Sad. I’ve preordered my copy and I’m getting one for my parish priest. I’ve loved everything I’ve ever read from Cardinal Sarah AND from Pope Benedict. I think I will enjoy this as well.
 
GordonP said:
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Feanor2:
I wonder if it is true that Ignatius press will ignore the wish of Benedict to have his name removed as a co-author. If so why?
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Money, for one. A book by Pope Emeritus Benedict is going to sell a lot more copies than one by Cardinal Sarah, who is virtually unknown outside of the Catholic far-right fringe.

Also, they would have to pay to redesign and reprint any books that are already being printed, at a loss.

They also wishfully believe in some conspiracy theory that Pope Emeritus Benedict was forced to “recant” by agents of “Anti-Pope” Francis. Ignatius Press is firmly in the black helicopter camp.
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Cardinal Sarah has written many books that have done
quite well. I believe he is very well known.
 
Weserthy said:
I wonder if he was persuaded by some to get his name off of it to lessen the impact, as many know that his opinion is still heavily respected by much of the Church, and the contents of the book may not exactly be toeing the company line nowadays.
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www.lifesitenews.com

Vatican insider: ‘Furious’ Francis demanded Benedict retract name from priestly celibacy book - LifeSite

Vaticanist Antonio Socci said that Pope Francis ordered Benedict's secretary to remove the name of Benedict XVI from the cover of the book.
www.lifesitenews.com www.lifesitenews.com
 
Yeah I saw that on Fr. Z’s blog earlier today. If true it would certainly fill in a lot of blanks. The whole affair just doesn’t make sense the way it has been presented so far.
 
Bree Dail from National Catholic Register goes through a lot of the reasons for the possible removing of Pope Benedict XVI’s name and Cardinal Sarah’s response. It doesn’t look like it was actually Pope Benedict that wanted it removed.

 
So LifeSite News, Rorate Caeli, Fr. Z and I am assuming Voris and the gang are in on it too,
are “believable” but Archbishop Georg Gänswein, the Pope Emeritus’ personal, private secretary is not?

That speaks volumes. :roll_eyes: 😧
 
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