The Ratzinger Report: An Exclusive Interview on the State of the Church
by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, Vittorio Messori (Author)
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Joseph Ratzinger (future Pope Benedict XVI), renowned theologian and Cardinal Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, gives an exclusive in-depth interview to a famous Italian journalist, Vittorio Messori, on the state of the church near the end of the of twentieth century. Cardinal Ratzinger speaks candidly and forcefully about the challenges of the Church in the Post-Vatican II era. Here is the complete text of a meeting many have called a "historical turnabout" show more in the Church. The roots of the crisis that has troubled Catholics in the twenty years since the Council are analyzed with forthright clarity by one of the most authoritative voices in the Vatican. This is a clear and uncompromising report on the dangers that threaten the Faith, from one who every day receives the most reliable information from every continent. Yet Ratzinger's observations are as hopeful and balanced as they are clear-sighted, forcefully re-affirming the immense and positive work of Vatican II, whose genuine fruits this book provides a guideline for achieving. show lessTags
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The Ratzinger Report has taken on a semi-legendary status in some circles in defining a new approach to Vatican II. This is the first, to my knowledge, of the future Pope Benedict XVI's interview books, preceding those he did in German with Peter Seewald. If you're familiar with those, the format is similar, but less conversational. There is also an essay inserted towards the end, with the result that feels more that a guided reading than an actual interview.
Content-wise, this was one of the first books to really open up on new interpretations of Vatican II, and to say that there were things that had been lost in the process of its implementation that needed to be regained. Continuity vs. Rupture is the name of the game here. Much of show more this is rather old news and accepted fact now, but in the mid-80s it was rather shockingly controversial.
Recommended for those interested in modern Catholicism and especially the implementations of Vatican II. Others may find it all a bit dated and might want to seek out his more recent interviews like Salt of the Earth or Light of the World. show less
Content-wise, this was one of the first books to really open up on new interpretations of Vatican II, and to say that there were things that had been lost in the process of its implementation that needed to be regained. Continuity vs. Rupture is the name of the game here. Much of show more this is rather old news and accepted fact now, but in the mid-80s it was rather shockingly controversial.
Recommended for those interested in modern Catholicism and especially the implementations of Vatican II. Others may find it all a bit dated and might want to seek out his more recent interviews like Salt of the Earth or Light of the World. show less
An interesting, if sometimes drily-expressed, exposition of the thought of Benedict XVI on trends and tendencies in the Church whilst still Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Includes some interesting foreshadowings of the decisions of the Papacy, such as the dropping of Limbo. Well worth a read.
1994. The Ratzinger Report: An Exclusive Interview on the State of the Church, by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger with Vittorio Messori, translated by Salvator Attanasio and Graham Harrison (read 2 Apr 1986)
After I read this book on 2 April 1986 I commented as follows: There has been a lot of talk about The Ratzinger Report, an interview an Italian journalist had with Cardinal Ratzinger in 1984. I have now read it. It seems to me quite wide-ranging, and touches on much which one such as I--who has not kept up on the matters discussed--am not qualified to judge.
After I read this book on 2 April 1986 I commented as follows: There has been a lot of talk about The Ratzinger Report, an interview an Italian journalist had with Cardinal Ratzinger in 1984. I have now read it. It seems to me quite wide-ranging, and touches on much which one such as I--who has not kept up on the matters discussed--am not qualified to judge.
Joseph Ratzinger (future Pope Benedict XVI), renowned theologian and Cardinal Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, gives an exclusive in-depth interview to a famous Italian journalist, Vittorio Messori, on the state of the church near the end of the of twentieth century. Cardinal Ratzinger speaks candidly and forcefully about the challenges of the Church in the Post-Vatican II era.
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Nov 11, 2024Portuguese (Brazil)
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Apr 26, 2021Catalan
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Apr 26, 2021Catalan
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Joseph Ratzinger was born on April 16, 1927 in Marktl am Inn in the state of Bavaria, Germany. Ratzinger entered the minor seminary in Traunstein, in 1939 and in 1943 along with the rest of his seminary class he was drafted into the Flak [anti-aircraft corps]. In 1944 he was released from the Flak and returned home only to be drafted into labor show more detail under the infamous Austrian Legion. In the spring of 1945 Ratzinger deserted the army and headed home but when the Americans arrive at his village shortly thereafter, he was identified as a German soldier and incarcerated in a POW camp for a brief time. Following his release he re-entered the seminary. In 1951 Joseph was ordained into the priesthood and began lectures as a full professor of fundamental theology at the University of Bonn. From 1962-65 Ratzinger was present during all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council as a peritus, or chief theological advisor to Cardinal Joseph Frings of Cologne, Germany. . In 1977 Joseph Ratzinger was appointed Archbishop of Munich and Freising and on June 27 elevated to Cardinal of Munich by Pope Paul VI. In 1981 Ratzinger accepted Pope John Paul II's invitation to take over as Prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and in 1986 he was appointed head of a 12-member commission responsible for drafting the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Cardinal Ratzinger was elected vice dean of the College of Cardinals in 1988. In 2002 Pope John Paul II, approved his election as dean of the College of Cardinals. On April 8, 2005, Cardinal Ratzinger presided over the funeral of Pope John Paul II. On April 19, 2005, Cardinal Ratzinger was elected Bishop of Rome on the fourth ballot of the conclave and took the name Benedict XVI. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The Ratzinger Report: An Exclusive Interview on the State of the Church
- Original title
- Rapporto sulla fede
- Original publication date
- 1985
- People/Characters
- Benedict XVI, Pope (Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger, 1927-2022); Vittorio Messori
- Important places
- Brixen, Italy
- Important events
- Vatican II
- First words*
- 'Un tedesco aggressivo, dal portamento fiero, un asceta che porta la croce come una spada'.
- Last words*
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)È quanto dobbiamo continuare ad annunciare - con umiltà ma con forza - al mondo d'oggi, sull'esempio impegnativo delle generazioni che ci hanno preceduti nella fede'.
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.
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- Media
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- ISBNs
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- UPCs
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