Pope Benedict XVI Blog

In interview, Archbishop Cordes says Pope Benedict XVI is "God's response" to secularism

In this interview, Benedict XVI is described as having "been given the task to revive the Judeo-Christian tradition in Europe and the West in the face of moral and religious decadence." He appears to have been prepared and anointed for just such a labor:

Catholic Online
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Benedict XVI as 'God's Response to Secularism'

7/22/2005 - 5:00 AM PST

Interview With Archbishop Cordes, "Cor Unum" President

ROME, JULY 22, 2005 (Zenit) - Archbishop Paul Cordes, a longtime friend of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Benedict XVI, is convinced the new Pope is "God's response" to the spread of secularism. In this interview with Catholic Online, the 70-year-old president of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum," who oversees the coordination of the Church's charity institutions, describes some of Joseph Ratzinger's essential features.

Q: According to some observers, John Paul II was for communism what Benedict XVI will be for moral and religious relativism. In your opinion, to what degree is this affirmation valid?

Archbishop Cordes: In his appointments, God undoubtedly has in mind the biographical experience and specific capacities of his messengers.

In his youth and as bishop of Krakow, the deceased Pope had lived the painful experience of communism. And for this reason he fought energetically against the regime's atheist forces. …

As Bishop of Rome, he never ceased to struggle before kings and presidents on behalf of freedom and people's dignity. Unfortunately, his ardent desire to visit Russia and China was not heard.

As a professor of theology, Pope Benedict XVI has always transmitted the truth of the faith and Tradition in a clear and comprehensible way. He formed future priests and catechists in the university. He tried to identify and spread in the intellectual world the arguments for an understanding of Revelation.

As prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, he helped John Paul II in his work of formulating theological directives for the people of God; suffice it to think of the writing of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

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posted by Dr. Denice Hanley, DPM, M.Div. @ 3:55 PM