[Vision2020] Pope Benedict XVI: One Giant Step Backwards for Humankind

[Andreas Schou]

On 4/19/05, DonaldH675 at aol.com <DonaldH675 at aol.com> wrote:
> Thanks ACS.  It was one of the first questions that popped into my mind. 
> Does he offer an explanation for his membership in the Nazi Youth, or was it
> just "one of those things".
> R

Dave's overview of Ratzinger's involvement with the Nazis is
reasonably correct, though filtered through the lens of his
hagiographic biography. I'd only single out one fact for disagreement,
though: deserting the German Army in 1944 was all the rage. Everyone
who was anyone was doing it. It was your choice: desert or get shot by
Russians.

Ratzinger's moral cowardice in the face of the greatest atrocity of
the 20th century, frankly, disqualifies him for a position dispensing
moral dictates. Plus his "letter of advice" to American bishops
instructing them to deny Communion to pro-choice American politicians
is as abominable as it is theologically unjustifiable.

-- ACS