Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI 베네딕토 16세 명예 교황

 

"Gather, gather yourselves together, O nation without shame! Before you are driven away, like chaff that disappears; Before there comes upon you the blazing anger of the Lord; Before there comes upon you the day of the Lord's anger. Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who have observed his law; Seek justice, seek humility; Perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord's anger." (Zephaniah 2:1-3)

In the midst of my annual retreat, especially reflecting on the theme of humility in the Bible, I joined in the community's thanksgiving prayer starting at 8 p.m. on the last day of December 2022.

In the middle of the prayer, the breaking news was announced: Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger) passed away at 9:34 a.m. on Dec. 31, 2022.

It seemed that the flowing piano rhythm of Mozart was reaching to the heavens above, thanks to him who enjoyed playing the piano. He had a preference for Mozart and Bach.

His nearby acquaintances witnessed that he never lost his temper and he always maintained composure and calmness regardless of the situation.

Benedict XVI was born the youngest on April 16, 1927, in Bavaria, Germany. Ordained as a priest in 1951, together with his elder brother, he began his academic career and became a highly regarded theologian. He was appointed a full professor in 1958 at the age of 31.

He was appointed a cardinal by Pope Paul VI in 1977, and then he was appointed Prefect of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith in 1981. He also became Dean of the College of Cardinals in 2002. He was one of the closest confidants of John Paul II.

He was originally a liberal theologian but adopted conservative views. Thus, he emphasized returning to fundamental Christian values against increased secularization. Being a member of several social science academies, he was known as "the main intellectual force in the Catholic Church."

In addition to his native German language, he had some level of proficiency in French, Italian, English, and Spanish. He also knew Portuguese, Latin, Biblical Hebrew, and Biblical Greek.

He was elected pope in 2005 but he announced his resignation in February 2013 because of his "lack of strength of mind and body" coming from his advanced age. His resignation was the first such decision made by a pope since Gregory XII in 1415.

Before his election as pope, he wanted to retire to have free time to write, but he had to continue his post in obedience to Pope John Paul II.

In September 1991, he suffered a hemorrhagic stroke, which slightly impaired his eyesight temporarily. A stroke caused by an age-related heart condition happens naturally to elderly people. He already had a pacemaker when he was still a cardinal.

He knew well both his capabilities as the pope and his human condition. He accepted the reality as it is in composure and finally chose resignation. Such is an act of humility.

In his well-known bestseller, "Jesus of Nazareth," he invites us to have a living relationship with Jesus Christ. "We are all called to open ourselves to the friendship with God... speaking to Him as to a friend, the only One who can make the world both good and happy..."

 https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2023/01/162_342850.html

The Korea Times/ Thoughts of the Times/ January 4 (online), 5 (offline), 2023