Many claims have been made as to Joseph Ratzinger’s (Benedict XVI) involvement with the Nazi party as a youth. These two pictures show him in full dress while a member of the Hitler Youth Movement. Ratzinger claims that his involvement was mandatory. A response to these claims can be found in an article written by Justin Sparks, John Follain and Christopher Morgan in the Sunday Times, April 17, 2005 (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article382076.ece). .jpg)
Though Ratzinger has tried to project himself as a religious conservative, if one listens closely to his words he or she can discern that the message he is sending is no different or less radical than his Vatican II predecessors.
CATHOLIC VS. CHRISTIAN
In an October 1, 2001 interview, Zenit news quoted the anti-pope as follows:
I have nothing against people who, though they never enter a church during the year, go to Christmas Mass, or go on the occasion of some other celebration, because this is also a way of coming close to the light. Therefore, there must be different forms of involvement and participation.
Notice how he uses the term “light” instead of God. A careful observer will notice that the Vatican II popes never used the term "Catholic" but rather "Christian." This was to avoid insulting Protestants. The first 260 popes were not afraid to defend the church Christ founded 2,000 years ago as the one, true Church; however, it is not uncommon these days to see Novus Ordo churches with signs that say “Catholic community” instead of “Catholic church.” This is to further the impression of being Protestant.
It is also shocking to note that apparently, Ratzinger encourages people to stay away from Mass. The Third Commandment reads, “Remember Thou Shalt Keep Holy the Sabbath Day.” It is (in the true Catholic Church) a mortal sin to purposely miss Mass on Sunday. What is truly in the mind of any shepherd of the Church who would intentionally affirm those who do not keep the Third Commandment?
DENIAL OF THE TRUE PRESENCE
Ratzinger wrote a shocking piece entitled Die Sacramentale Begrundung in which he denied the True Presence:
Eucharistic devotion such as is noted in the silent visit by the devout in church must not be thought of as a conversation with God. This would assume that God was present there locally and in a confined way. To justify such an assertion shows a lack of understanding of the Christological mysteries of the very concept of God. This is repugnant to the serious thinking of the man who knows about the omnipresence of God. To go to church on the ground that one can visit God who is present there is a senseless act which modern man rightfully rejects.
This is complete and utter heresy! “To go to church on the ground that one can visit God who is present there is a senseless act which modern man rightfully rejects”? Notice the term modern man—a blatant reference to the modernism that pre-Vatican II popes condemned. Also, notice the humanistic tone. The Novus Order (New Order) Church is not based on the Catholic faith but, rather, humanism. God has been replaced by man. This is why the priest has turned his back on the altar. This is why people have been encouraged to manhandle the Blessed Sacrament as though it were a piece of pizza. The focus has been purposely placed on the people and God has been subliminally left out.
SALVATION OUTSIDE THE CHURCH
In his piece, Sapientiae Christianae #14, Jan. 10, 1890, Pope Leo XIII states:
St. Thomas maintains: “Each one is under obligation to show forth his faith, either to instruct and encourage others of the faithful, or to repel the attacks of unbelievers.” To recoil before an enemy, or to keep silence when from all sides such clamors are raised against truth, is the part of a man either devoid of character or who entertains doubt as to the truth of what he professes to believe.
The most blatant identifying characteristic of Vatican II and its ecumenical teachings is to water down the firm roots that we, as Catholics, hold to be true. Christ did not say, “Upon this rock I will build my church—but if you feel like starting another church, go ahead.” Rather, Jesus Christ said to Peter:
And I say to thee: That thou are Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven (Mt. 16:18-19).
This is a pretty strong statement. When it came to His Church, Jesus minced no words nor took any prisoners. The question therefore follows: Why would anyone want to follow a “church” started by man when Christ, Himself, was incarnated and died a horrible death so that we could follow Him? Others may argue about heresy in the Catholic Church. Yes, there have been heretical popes. (A comprehensive history of the popes can be found in Tumultuous Times at www.stjosephsmedia.org.) There is not one of us—because of Original Sin—who cannot fall. This is not to say, however, that the same human weaknesses are not found in the false churches that were created from the Protestant Reformation, on. The driving point is that Jesus Christ instituted the Catholic Church. Do not throw the baby out with the bathwater.
One need only to examine Benedict XVI’s vision of Christ’s church and his allegiance to it to determine the level of his heresy. Ratzinger is quoted in a Zenit news story on November 30, 2005 as saying, “Whoever seeks peace and the good of the community with a pure conscience, and keeps alive the desire for the transcendent, will be saved even if he lacks biblical faith.”
Again, on September 5, 2000:
"[W]e are in agreement that a Jew, and this is true for believers of other religions, does not need to know or acknowledge Christ as the Son of God in order to be saved, ..” (Are Believers of Other Religions Saved? Zenit, Sept. 5, 2000).
Included, below are further statements and photographs that clearly express Ratzinger’s true loyalty (or lack, thereof) to the Church of Christ.
Speaking to the leader of the schismatic Romanian Orthodox Church: “… I also impart a warm greeting and Blessing to the beloved Orthodox Patriarch and to all the members of that noble Church” (L’ Osservatore Romano, May 20, 2009, p. 22).
Jerusalem, May 12, 2009: “Distinguished Rabbis, I reciprocate by expressing my own respect and esteem for you and your communities…Today I have the opportunity to repeat that the Catholic Church is irrevocably committed to the path chosen at the Second Vatican Council for a genuine and lasting reconciliation between Christians and Jews.” (L’ Osservatore Romano, May 20, 2009, p. 8). Notice that there is nothing mentioned about “conversion”—only “reconciliation.”
May 14, 2009: Our different religious traditions have a powerful potential to promote a culture of peace, especially through teaching and preaching the deeper spiritual values of our common humanity. . . Christians readily join Jews, Muslims, Druze, and people of other religions . . . Representing different religious traditions, you share a desire to contribute to the betterment of society and thus testify to the religious and spiritual values that help sustain public life. I assure you that the Catholic Church is committed to join in this noble undertaking (L’ Osservatore Romano, May 20, 2009, p. 16).
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Comments
The picture with Goebbels is an outrageous lie - that's a fat adult. What else have you taken out of context? Unbelieveable.
Mt 16:18 does not say Peter is pope. He is a pebble (examine the Greek lexicon, there is a play on words with petros and petra), but it is Christ who is the Rock, 1 Cor 10:4. Put your trust in Him. Keep reading and in verse 23, you see Jesus calling Peter Satan. You want an erring man to be your spiritual father??? God forbid, and btw, He has forbidden, Mt 23:9.
Jesus promised He would send the Holy Spirit to protect His beloved Church from error and that the gates of hell would never prevail against His Church.He also warned there would be wolves in sheep's clothing surely the perfect descriptor of a pedophile religious or a religious betraying his or her vows in their personal example to others.
The job for each believing Catholic is to strive for personal holiness that is the best antidote to the wounds on Christ's body that current scandals reflect.
I trust Jesus's promise and I am deeply grateful for the help of the graces He makes available to me through the sacraments.
Jesus knows when certain circumstances prevent us from attending mass eg sickness or caring for an elderly parent.He knows our hearts.
I was deeply saddened by your ready acceptance of the slur made against the current Pope re his German background if you had researched more deeply you would have discovered his family was strongly anti Nazi. I suggest you read further
re Marco Jesus only said "get behind me Satan" as a powerful rebuke to Peter who was pleading with him to escape the pain He was about to endure at the hands of the Romans. He said 3 times "Peter do you love me?" to show he had forgiven Peter for his human weakness in thrice denying knowing Christ when questioned after Christ was taken into custody.Choosing Peter as the foundatios stone for His Church was a wonderful message to us all It does not matter what gifts or talents we possess Jesus has the power and can work through our weakness all we need do it put our total trust in Him as Peter did-I have a special fondness for Peter his cowardice resonates with my own timidity and His impulsiveness too!
re: Tu es Petrus.
Again you are applying to Peter what should be applied to Jesus. Jesus is the Corner Stone/Foundation Stone that the builders rejected. Just as Christ is the head and the church is the body, Christ is the Foundation Stone and the church is the building/temple.
Furthermore, as Peter was the apostle to the Jews, Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles. In fact, Peter needed to be rebuked by Paul at Antioch. Jesus did not set up a pope. Jesus is the Head, and the church is the body. Period!
This writer does what so many protestants do - take one line out of context and twist it to completely change the meaning and the truth. Shame on Kolewski. And for those who believe this tripe, get a brain.
"Jesus did not set up a pope. Jesus is the Head, and the church is the body. Period!"
Jesus did make Peter the head of His Church because He knew that human beings require a leader but He sent the Holy Spirit to ensure that if and when a leader of His Church was lacking there would be no danger to His sheep Thus the Church has survived corrupt, weak and even immoral Popes in earlier times.
Yes Jesus is the head and His earthly proxy is the Bishop of Rome who needs our constant prayers because he and every other priest is under seige in the spiritual war that Satan continues to wage against Christ's beloved spouse the Church.
Hi Fiat
Jesus did not put any human being in control on this earth. He sent the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth. We do not need a human expositor. How can we trust in man? Man has even attempted to change the very law of God, and the papal system takes full responsibility for this, calling it a 'mark' of her ecclesiastical authority.
Sorry guys, but no man, not even the pope, or even an angel of light has that authority. We need to put the 7th day back in its rightful place. SUNday is the first day of the week. And don't give me the "Jesus rose from the dead on that day" story. I know He did, but we are not instructed to change the commandment because of it. It is a matter of loyalty. Loyalty to God, or loyalty to man. You choose.
Sadly, I see a lot of ignorance in these comments... ignorance of what Christ did. Anyone who knows what the Bible includes, would know how Peter was established by Christ as the head Apostle. It is a role of Prime Minister. Jesus is King, and the leaves His Prime Minister in charge of the "pearl of great price" while the King is away, ruling on His Throne in Heaven. Jesus is the Head of His one Church, and the office of Peter is the visible head, with protection of the Holy Spirit from teaching error in faith and morals.
It's just common sense to see how the conflicts of the man made interpretations of Protestants of our Catholic authored Bible are not under the protection of the Holy Spirit. Otherwise, why are they not all the same? Those lying are those whose ecclesial communities were started by men, post "deformation."
The Catholic Church, the pillar and foundation of the truth was started by Christ in 33 AD, and continues as His one Church to the end of time.
Marco,
You are quite ignorant of the meaning of Scriptures, my friend. Jesus spoke in Aramaic to His Apostles, not in Greek. Secondly, the original of Matthew was the only NT book written in Aramaic, later translated to Greek and then to Latin, etc. In Aramaic, the the phrase is you are Kepha, and upon this Kepha I will build my Church. Note that the instant before this, his name was Simon, and Jesus changes Simon's name to Kepha (Petros, or Peter). It is the first time we have recorded in history of any person being named Kepha or Petros or Peter which all mean "rock."
If you want to discuss the Greek, the words petros and petra meant the same thing in the Koine Greek of the time. It's just that you could not use Petra for a man's name.
Besides, the authors of the NT were all inspired Catholic men. Why would you think the Catholic Church would not understand what it authored? The Bible is only part of the Church teachings, and you distort even this part of the teach
Commenting on the article, the offer was "we report, you decide." Well, it's pretty easy to decide that the author of this article does not understand Vatican II, what it actually taught, and Ratzinger's role in it then and what he has done since, to this day. There is a noticeable prejudice in this article, which tends to try to slant the conclusions away from what they really are. Facts are facts, but a collection of facts do not equal truth. The truth is what we're after here. First, there was nothing wrong with Vatican II. Second, the "seedy vacationists" (humor) will provide false conclusions to facts presented. There has been a tremendous effort from Cardinal Ratzinger and later as Benedict XVI to be ecumenical. I have examined these very closely, and have never found them to be at odds with traditional Catholic teachings. One must understand what they actually say, and the intents, rather than come in with prejudice born of fears. Benedict XVI is a true and good Pope.
Hi Michael
I stand by scripture and scripture only. Sola Scriptura. Jesus IS the Rock. You believe in tradition and scripture and believe Peter is the rock. Mmmm.
Psa 118:8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
Man's Sabbath (1st day), or The Lord's Day Sabbath, (7th day)?
You choose. What does the Bible say?
Let there be no doubt; consolidation and control of money, banking, trade, political influence, food distribution, power and if possible ecumenical unity backed by force is the Catholic desire. The Church of Rome has had it and they would like nothing more than to get it back. People forget that it was not until the 1870’s that free Italian armies, by force of arms, defeated and removed the Papal States from power and forced the Pope into self imposed exile in Vatican City. It was only in 1929 when Mussolini and Pope Pius XI signed the Lateran Treaty that Roman Catholicism was once again, by national law, the sole religion in Italy. Mussolini paid the Pope, 750,000,000 lira in cash and 1,000,000,000 lira in state bonds for the Papal territories seized in 1870. The Vatican bank began with some of these funds. Rome does not forget anything, but she hides almost everything about her history. The Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, adjacent to the Vatican, had a former name: The Palac
The Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, adjacent to the Vatican, had a former name: The Palace of the Inquisition. The office of the Inquisition is still inside that building. The former Grand Inquisitor of that office was the Archbishop of Munich, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, and he is now Pope. He is a very, very intelligent man, with a purpose and a vision, and a goal for his church. His desire to return every mass to Latin has a purpose. His outreach to unite all denominations under the Church of Rome has a purpose. His outreach to the Muslim world has a purpose. His desire to see all global organizations reformed has a purpose. The Church of Rome is his purpose, and his church has the wealth, numbers, global reach and influence to help bring this new anti-reformation to life. The millions and millions of Christians and Jews murdered by the Roman Church in its search for temporal power are dismissed as ancient history and may just as well be forgotten if you read the global pres
Sorry Marco Tu es Petrus is clear enough for me and Jesus clearly forgave the grief stricken Peter for his initial fear filled denial and don't forget dear Pater asked to be crucified upside down because he felt unworthy. He was a humble man well aware of his weakness and need of God.Jesus understood human nature and psychology Human communities need leaders The Church on earth has human members Jesus knew He needed to appoint someone to lead His Church and knowing too how prone we are to sin He sent the Holy Spirit to protect this Church.
Yes the devil is constantly trying to seduce and confuse us but Jesus does not break His promises.His Church will prevail The Blessed Mother will vanquish Satan What we need to do is maintain our own individual battle against personal sin and strive each day for holiness.
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