Joseph Ratzinger (1927–2022) was named by Pope John Paul II on 25 November 1981 as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, formerly known as the Holy Office and, especially around the 16th century, as the Roman Inquisition.
He previously became both Archbishop of Munich and Freising and a Cardinal in 1977. He resigned as Archbishop in early 1982, in light of his new duties as Prefect. While continuing to be prefect, Ratzinger was promoted within the College of Cardinals to become Cardinal Bishop of Velletri-Segni in 1993, and became the College's Vice-Dean in 1998 and Dean (Senior Cardinal) in 2002. He was elected Pope Benedict XVI in 2005, becoming Pope Emeritus on his retirement in 2013. (Source: Wikipedia)
I am saddened by his passing, but pleased to be at least in a small way, connected to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI through my late friend and fellow Cape Bretoner. My Master's degree Thesis Supervisor, Dr. Charles MacDonald (1937-2021) received his PhD from the Universities of Tübingen and Regensburg, Germany, and one of his two Mentors was his Thesis Supervisor Joseph Ratzinger, later Pope Benedict XVI (the other was Dr. Hans Küng (1928-2021).
Rest eternal Holy Father …
End.
Published on December 31st, 2022
© Dr. Charles Warner 2022
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