Clergy comment on the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
Created: 01/01/2023, 18:00
Believers and clergy all over the world mourn Benedict XVI.
The Pope Emeritus died in Rome on New Year's Eve at the age of 95 after a short illness.
The death of Bavarian Joseph Ratzinger, the first German pope in almost 500 years, also affects clergy in the district.
© Deml Ondøej
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
was not as popular as his predecessor John Paul II and not as pastoral as his successor Francis.
But among clergy he was held in high esteem because of his intellect.
Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen - Our newspaper asked Catholic pastors what they remember of Joseph Ratzinger, who died on New Year's Eve, first Archbishop of Munich and Freising and cardinal, later head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in the Vatican, and Pope from 2005 to 2013.
Münsing's pastor Martin Kirchbichler.
© Archive
Münsing's pastor Martin Kirchbichler says that even in his youth Joseph Ratzinger was very present in stories.
In the 1950s, the theologian from Marktl am Inn was often in Kirchbichler's home community of Peiting because he was friends with a chaplain there.
He also had relatives in the area.
“Even back then, there was talk that Ratzinger could one day become pope,” Kirchbichler recalls.
He met him personally twice: in the autumn of 1998 in the German community in Rome at a discussion evening when Ratzinger was Cardinal of the Curia, and in 2000 at the Passion Play in Oberammergau.
There they even talked briefly after the evening mass.
In the papal elections of 2005, Kirchbichler considered Ratzinger to be “papabile”, i.e. capable of assuming the office of the pope,
He was impressed by the service with Benedict on September 14, 2006 in Freising Cathedral.
There, the newly elected pope laid aside his prepared sermon and spoke freely about the issues that were preoccupying the pastors present.
Kirchbichler: "One had the impression: He is at home here and one of us." The Münsingen pastor will remember the deceased as a great scholar, but at the same time as a modest, friendly and humorous churchman.
Holy Father experienced as "very human".
The Dietramszell parish association leader and dean Thomas Neuberger also likes to think back to the Vespers of 2006 in Freising Cathedral: "Benedict spoke so benevolently there about his homeland." In 2010 Neuberger experienced the Holy Father again in Berlin, and there too "very human".
The Dean is certain that the theological legacy of the professor and author of numerous writings will continue to accompany the Catholic Church.
Thomas Neuberger, Dean in Dietramszell.
© Sabine Hermsdorf-Hiss
When Neuberger now reads on social media that with a view to the abuse scandal, which Ratzinger knew about as archbishop at the time, one “does not have to be sad” about his death, he finds it very annoying.
You would never say something like that about your own grandmother or grandfather immediately after their death.
Benedict XVI
myself wrote about the allegations against him at the beginning of last year that he would soon appear before his "eternal judge".
"Now rest in peace," Neuberger wishes the deceased pontiff emeritus.
Gerhard Beham, Dean in Wolfratshausen.
© Sabine Hermsdorf-Hiss
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Wolfratshausen's town pastor, Dean Gerhard Beham, protects Benedict.
At the time, he had relied on his human resources department in the abuse scandal.
As reported, a pastor known for sexual abuse was allowed to continue working under Archbishop Ratzinger in the 1990s.
Beham finds: "People did him an injustice." Personally, he has always admired the "spiritual depth" and the courage of the head of the Catholic Church.
The fact that he resigned of his own accord in 2013 deserves respect.
Beham: "He's a role model for other popes."
Geretsried's town pastor is critical
Geretsried's parish priest Andreas Vogelmeier.
© Hans Lippert
Geretsried's town pastor, Andreas Vogelmeier, is somewhat more critical.
Both Ratzinger's behavior in the abuse scandal and his approach to the Pius Brotherhood irritated him.
Vogelmeier would have “desired more courage from him”.
The Geretsried pastor says that he greatly admired the future archbishop and pope, especially as a young professor.
At that time he thought even more liberally before he became so conservative.
Nevertheless, Benedict XVI.
shaped the church.
He was a diligent person, a great prayer and a great thinker, and his books are still worth reading today.
During a general audience on St. Peter's Square a few years ago, he perceived the Holy Father as friendly and approachable when he was sitting in the popemobile.
“There was an open eye contact between him and the believers.
Funeral flag hoisted in Maria Hilf
Since the news of the death of Benedict XVI.
regularly rang the bells.
A black mourning flag was hoisted in Maria Hilf in Geretsried.
Requiem in the Beuerberg Collegiate Church
After the death of the emeritus pope, requiens are planned in the churches of the district - for example this Wednesday, January 4th.
A funeral rosary will be held in the Beuerberg collegiate church at 6.30 p.m. and then at 7 p.m. a parish requiem for Benedict XVI.
instead of.
Rosary and Mass from St. Mary's Church are moved to the Collegiate Church.
The invitation goes out to all members of the parish association.
valley
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