Tag: Cardinal Ratzinger

Wise Words on Wednesday: Catholic Politicians and Abortion

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“Regarding the grave sin of abortion or euthanasia, when a person’s formal cooperation becomes manifest understood in the case of a Catholic politician as is consistently campaigning and voting for permissive abortion and euthanasia laws, his pastor should meet with him, instructing him about the church’s teaching, informing him that he is not to present himself for Holy Communion until he brings to an end the objective situation of sin and warning him that he will otherwise be denied the Eucharist.”

Cardinal Ratzinger, Worthiness to Receive Holy Communion: General Principles

UPDATE: A few days later…

Benedict and Francis

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I’m a Pope Benedict XVI fan. I wasn’t always. In fact, I was dead set against Cardinal Ratzinger becoming Pope. However, when I started to read the writings of the man I discovered a loving, shy academic who never wanted to be Pope.

There’s a lot I love about Pope Francis too, not least of which is his connection to the Eastern Church. However, I have to admit I get really irritated when I hear Pope Benedict negatively contrasted to his successor. Pope Francis is an extrovert, Benedict is not, so it’s inevitable that their styles will be different. However, where it counts…
Benedict and Francis