Here are some of my favorite quotes with sources from him on the topic:What works has the Pope written on Creation?
I want Benedict’s works.
If, however, there are other great works, I would like to hear about them.
THANKS!
Here’s the Amazon link: amazon.com/Creation-Evolution-Conference-Benedict-Gandolfo/dp/1586172344The clay became man at the moment in which a being for the first time was capable of forming, however dimly, the thought of “God”. The first Thou that—however stammeringly—was said by human lips to God marks the moment in which the spirit arose in the world. Here the Rubicon of anthropogenesis was crossed. For it is not the use of weapons or fire, not new methods of cruelty or of useful activity, that constitute man, but rather his ability to be immediately in relation to God. This holds fast to the doctrine of the special creation of man … herein … lies the reason why the moment of anthropogenesis cannot possibly be determined by paleontology: anthropogenesis is the rise of the spirit, which cannot be excavated with a shovel. The theory of evolution does not invalidate the faith, nor does it corroborate it. But it does challenge the faith to understand itself more profoundly and thus to help man to understand himself and to become increasingly what he is: the being who is supposed to say Thou to God in eternity.
— Joseph Ratzinger (Creation and Evolution: A Conference With Pope Benedict XVI in Castel Gandolfo, S.D.S. Stephan Horn (ed), pp. 15–16)
amazon.com/Beginning%C2%85-Catholic-Understanding-Ressourcement-Retrieval/dp/0802841066We cannot say: creation or evolution, inasmuch as these two things respond to two different realities. The story of the dust of the earth and the breath of God, which we just heard, does not in fact explain how human persons come to be but rather what they are. It explains their inmost origin and casts light on the project that they are. And, vice versa, the theory of evolution seeks to understand and describe biological developments. But in so doing it cannot explain where the ‘project’ of human persons comes from, nor their inner origin, nor their particular nature. To that extent we are faced here with two complementary—rather than mutually exclusive—realities.
— Cardinal Ratzinger, *In the Beginning: A Catholic Understanding of the Story of Creation and the Fall *
(Eerdmans, 1995), p. 50.
Evolution is a banned topic. Creation covers more than just man. Communion and Stewardship is a long read that requires careful study of the words and phrases, it cannot be read outside of its entirety.Here are some of my favorite quotes with sources from him on the topic:
Here’s the Amazon link: amazon.com/Creation-Evolution-Conference-Benedict-Gandolfo/dp/1586172344
amazon.com/Beginning%C2%85-Catholic-Understanding-Ressourcement-Retrieval/dp/0802841066
You also might be interested in this at the Vatican website:
INTERNATIONAL THEOLOGICAL COMMISSION
COMMUNION AND STEWARDSHIP:
Human Persons Created in the Image of God*
*As the text developed, it was discussed at numerous meetings of the subcommission and several plenary sessions of the International Theological Commission held at Rome during the period 2000-2002. The present text was approved in forma specifica, by the written ballots of the International Theological Commission. It was then submitted to Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, the President of the Commission, who has give his permission for its publication.
The Pope and his writings are not.Evolution is a banned topic.
Pretty much everything Pope write that people w quote around here are long reads that require careful study, Ed, but people take small bits out of context all the time.Communion and Stewardship is a long read that requires careful study of the words and phrases, it cannot be read outside of its entirety.
When I write, I know others are reading. Some who have never even heard of Communion and Stewardship until now. Speaking generally, people post here on a regular basis who clearly want to hear what they want to hear as opposed to the actual meaning.The Pope and his writings are not.
Pretty much everything Pope write that people w quote around here are long reads that require careful study, Ed, but people take small bits out of context all the time.
No has to carefully study “words and phrases” unless they are looking to skew the meaning. I found Communion and Stewardship one quite straightforward.
You are talking about everyone in the world, Ed, not just people around here. The OP titled the thread “The Pope on Creation.” I gave some references that had to do with that. I’m not sure how these last exchanges between us relate to the topic.When I write, I know others are reading. Some who have never even heard of Communion and Stewardship until now. Speaking generally, people post here on a regular basis who clearly want to hear what they want to hear as opposed to the actual meaning.
peace,
Ed
This is true, and should affect all.anthropogenesis is the rise of the spirit, which cannot be excavated with a shovel. - Pope Benedict
You know we are blessed to have genius like this in the Church. And it’s sad that the world doesn’t recognize it for what it is. But God blesses us with such men as our present Pontiff even though the world refuses to see or acknowledge it, which is rather like what he said we should expect: the profundity of this statement, had an equivalent been said in any other (i.e. a secular) context, would have resulted in awards and honory degrees. But that a Churchman said it in the context of theology on the subject of creation, it goes unnoticed. That God blesses his Church with men like this is, in my humble estimation, proof positive that he really does love and watch over his Church: we certainly can’t seriouly claim to actually deserve it.