June 7, 2005
We have a passel of pope
books!
By Jacqueline Blais
USA TODAY
When Pope Benedict XVI was elected
this spring, all the time-honored rituals
happened: whitish smoke from the
Sistine Chapel chimney, bells from St.
Peter's and the announcement, in
Latin, "We have a pope!"
But, this time, something entirely
modern kicked in, too: the launch of
instant books. In the USA, publishers
and writers had books planned or in
the works long before the death of one
pope (John Paul II) on April 2 and the
election of another (German Cardinal
Joseph Ratzinger, now Benedict XVI)
17 days later.
"It's part of the media-saturated age
we live in," says Mark Brumley of
Ignatius Press, the North American
publisher of 22 previous works by
Benedict XVI.
Books also came out on the heels of
earlier papal elections, he says, "but
not so many so quickly."
What's new on store shelves:
•In the Vineyard of the Lord: The
Life, Faith, and Teachings of
Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict
XVI by Marco Bardazzi (Rizzoli,
$16.95). Bardazzi, U.S. correspondent
for the Italian News Agency ANSA,
prepared material for 10 possible
papal candidates, then started his
book "immediately after Ratzinger
appeared on the balcony" at the
Vatican. Bardazzi says he wanted to
write a portrait of both the pope and
the man. "For example, I think it's
interesting to know his passion for
(classical) music," he says.
We have a passel of pope
books!
By Jacqueline Blais
USA TODAY
When Pope Benedict XVI was elected
this spring, all the time-honored rituals
happened: whitish smoke from the
Sistine Chapel chimney, bells from St.
Peter's and the announcement, in
Latin, "We have a pope!"
But, this time, something entirely
modern kicked in, too: the launch of
instant books. In the USA, publishers
and writers had books planned or in
the works long before the death of one
pope (John Paul II) on April 2 and the
election of another (German Cardinal
Joseph Ratzinger, now Benedict XVI)
17 days later.
"It's part of the media-saturated age
we live in," says Mark Brumley of
Ignatius Press, the North American
publisher of 22 previous works by
Benedict XVI.
Books also came out on the heels of
earlier papal elections, he says, "but
not so many so quickly."
What's new on store shelves:
•In the Vineyard of the Lord: The
Life, Faith, and Teachings of
Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict
XVI by Marco Bardazzi (Rizzoli,
$16.95). Bardazzi, U.S. correspondent
for the Italian News Agency ANSA,
prepared material for 10 possible
papal candidates, then started his
book "immediately after Ratzinger
appeared on the balcony" at the
Vatican. Bardazzi says he wanted to
write a portrait of both the pope and
the man. "For example, I think it's
interesting to know his passion for
(classical) music," he says.
| BOOK REVIEWS |
| "A lovely little book that brings together overviews of Benedict’s life and thought" FIRST THINGS |
| "A wonderful biography of our new pope" Maryland Province Jesuits |
| "Pope Benedict’s biography provides insight and understanding" CATHOLIC EXPLORER |
| "A clear and fascinating portrait of the personality and teachings of the new pope" COLUMBIA MAGAZINE |
| "This brief biography of Pope Benedict XVI is an easily readable story of his life told in chronological order which is helpful for the reader who knows nothing about his life and it discusses the influence of some of the major events of his life on his thinking." "Bardazzi’s treatment of the friendship and collaboration of Ratzinger, Balthasar, and DeLubac who founded the new theological journal Communio is one of the best chapters of this book. Most biographers of Pope Benedict XVI barely mention this important event in the authentic renewal of Catholic theology in response to the Second Vatican Council." HPR - IGNATIUS PRESS |
HOMILETIC AND PASTORAL
REVIEW
JANUARY 2006
Truth and Beauty
IN THE VINEYARD OF THE LORD:
THE LIFE, FAITH, AND TEACHINGS
OF JOSEPH RATZINGER, POPE
BENEDICT XVI. By Marco Bardazzi
(Rizzoli, New York, N.Y., 2005),
138 pp. PB $16.95.
Marco Bardazzi is an Italian
journalist and the American
correspondent of ANSA, an Italian
news agency. He lives in New York
City.
This brief biography of Pope
Benedict XVI is an easily readable
story of his life told in
chronological order which is helpful
for the reader who knows nothing
about his life and it discusses the
influence of some of the major
events of his life on his thinking. It
also includes a very brief appendix
of quotations from his writings on
various topics, especially his
comments on cultural and social
issues. The volume also includes
ten pages of photographs of
Ratzinger at various stages of his
life.
Bardazzi begins with Ratzinger’s
early years in Bavaria and events
leading up to his ordination. He
shows how the roots of his
Catholic faith would provide a
defense against the evils and
ideologies of the Nazi era.
Ratzinger’s encounters with the
world of Mozart and literature will
lead him to the affirmation that
music and beauty are paths to
Christ. At the end of a major Bach
concert in Munich, Ratzinger
turned to the Lutheran bishop
sitting next to him and exclaimed.
“Anyone who has heard this,
knows that faith is true” (30).
Bardazzi sees similarities between
the younger Ratzinger and the
older Swiss theologian Hans Urs
von Balthasar who was also a
great lover of Mozart and other
composers and devoted his life to
producing a theology which
reflected on the beauty and glory
of God in creation, revelation, and
redemption. The two became close
friends. Bardazzi’s treatment of
the friendship and collaboration of
Ratzinger, Balthasar, and DeLubac
who founded the new theological
journal Communio is one of the
best chapters of this book. Most
biographers of Pope Benedict XVI
barely mention this important
event in the authentic renewal of
Catholic theology in response to
the Second Vatican Council. For
Ratzinger truth is a great
symphony of distinct and diverse
voices and elements that create a
harmonious melody of a great
symphony rather than discordant
noises. The name communio
seems to have been chosen due
to their contact with the new
ecclesial movement Communion
and Liberation. Communio
eventually was published in
numerous languages and among
the theologians in this great
network of Catholic thinkers was a
Polish philosopher Karol Wojtyla.
From this point on there would be
a parting of the ways between
some progressive theologians who
wanted to question various
Catholic doctrines and practices
and those theologians of Vatican
II who insisted that the Council be
interpreted in light of tradition and
were interested in going back to
the sources of Scripture and
Tradition in order to renew the
Church so that it could present
the Gospel with greater clarity and
conviction to the modern world.
Whereas Hans Kung and other
progressives interpreted reality
from a sociological and political
perspective, Ratzinger preferred a
genuinely theological perspective
as indicated by the choice of the
term communio. It is no accident
that two of the most creative
theologians in this new movement
of Communio, Balthasar and
Ratzinger, were not only
theologians but accomplished
musicians. One of Balthasar’s
more profound slim books was
entitled Truth is Symphonic.
The author includes a list of
prominent Catholic theologians
and intellectuals who became an
informal international network for
the authentic renewal of Catholic
theology as envisioned by the
Council. Some of the more
profound cardinal theologians are
associated with this group; we see
Schönborn, Lustiger, and Scola.
We hope that future historians will
explore this process of renewal
after the initial crisis following the
Council which linked together
various groups and bishops,
theologians, and lay persons in
Italy, Germany, France, Poland,
and the United States. We also
hope that theologians will explore
in greater depth the relation
between theology and philosophy
and the appreciation of music and
beauty. Does a sensibility to the
beauty of a great symphony,
piano sonata, concert Mass, or
painting also lead to a greater
appreciation of the divine Truth
and Creator and the spiritual and
moral dimensions of everyday
human life?
Bardazzi also briefly examines
Ratzinger’s role as a young
theologian and peritus at the
Second Vatican Council and his
complex relations with other
prominent theologians at the
Council such as Hans Kung, Karl
Rahner, and Edward Schillebeeckx
from whom he eventually
distanced himself. Many critics
claim that the “progressive”
Ratzinger became a “reactionary”
after the Council and rejected
many of its reforms. Bardazzi
believes this to be a myth. He was
also familiar with the pastoral
needs of the faithful. As
Archbishop of Munich, Ratzinger
became deeply involved in the
pastoral work of the Church and
the spiritual needs of his people.
Bardazzi notes that Ratzinger’s
years in Rome as Prefect of the
Congregation for the Doctrine of
the Faith produced many
profound theological statements
on diverse topics. The Ratzinger
Report, a book published in his
early years as Prefect, was very
candid about problems within the
Church and had a great influence
in some of these various debates
at that time. Bardazzi also
describes some of Ratzinger’s
more controversial interventions in
disciplining theologians who
dissented from Catholic teaching.
The issues and controversies
surrounding the document,
Dominus Jesus, are also discussed
and Bardazzi dispels the myth
that Ratzinger had written the
document himself without the
knowledge and consent of the
Pope; John Paul II insisted he had
carefully discussed it with
Ratzinger and it had his full
approval. The author quickly
moves through the last days of
John Paul II, the Cardinal’s role in
the funeral rites and conclave and
his election as Pope.
There are about 25 pages of
quotations from Ratzinger’s own
works on a variety of topics at the
end of the book. These topics
include remarks on the
dictatorship of relativism, Western
self-hatred, the UN and the war in
Iraq, war and peace, politics,
Beethoven, and beauty. It is clear
that although our new Holy Father
is above all a theologian, he is also
an intellectual who has not
hesitated to reflect and speak on
a wide range of moral, social, and
cultural issues. He has a very
perceptive and penetrating
intellect and also a warm heart
that can express much wisdom in
only a few words.
Edmund. W. Majewski, S.J.
St. Peter’s College
Jersey City, NJ
REVIEW
JANUARY 2006
Truth and Beauty
IN THE VINEYARD OF THE LORD:
THE LIFE, FAITH, AND TEACHINGS
OF JOSEPH RATZINGER, POPE
BENEDICT XVI. By Marco Bardazzi
(Rizzoli, New York, N.Y., 2005),
138 pp. PB $16.95.
Marco Bardazzi is an Italian
journalist and the American
correspondent of ANSA, an Italian
news agency. He lives in New York
City.
This brief biography of Pope
Benedict XVI is an easily readable
story of his life told in
chronological order which is helpful
for the reader who knows nothing
about his life and it discusses the
influence of some of the major
events of his life on his thinking. It
also includes a very brief appendix
of quotations from his writings on
various topics, especially his
comments on cultural and social
issues. The volume also includes
ten pages of photographs of
Ratzinger at various stages of his
life.
Bardazzi begins with Ratzinger’s
early years in Bavaria and events
leading up to his ordination. He
shows how the roots of his
Catholic faith would provide a
defense against the evils and
ideologies of the Nazi era.
Ratzinger’s encounters with the
world of Mozart and literature will
lead him to the affirmation that
music and beauty are paths to
Christ. At the end of a major Bach
concert in Munich, Ratzinger
turned to the Lutheran bishop
sitting next to him and exclaimed.
“Anyone who has heard this,
knows that faith is true” (30).
Bardazzi sees similarities between
the younger Ratzinger and the
older Swiss theologian Hans Urs
von Balthasar who was also a
great lover of Mozart and other
composers and devoted his life to
producing a theology which
reflected on the beauty and glory
of God in creation, revelation, and
redemption. The two became close
friends. Bardazzi’s treatment of
the friendship and collaboration of
Ratzinger, Balthasar, and DeLubac
who founded the new theological
journal Communio is one of the
best chapters of this book. Most
biographers of Pope Benedict XVI
barely mention this important
event in the authentic renewal of
Catholic theology in response to
the Second Vatican Council. For
Ratzinger truth is a great
symphony of distinct and diverse
voices and elements that create a
harmonious melody of a great
symphony rather than discordant
noises. The name communio
seems to have been chosen due
to their contact with the new
ecclesial movement Communion
and Liberation. Communio
eventually was published in
numerous languages and among
the theologians in this great
network of Catholic thinkers was a
Polish philosopher Karol Wojtyla.
From this point on there would be
a parting of the ways between
some progressive theologians who
wanted to question various
Catholic doctrines and practices
and those theologians of Vatican
II who insisted that the Council be
interpreted in light of tradition and
were interested in going back to
the sources of Scripture and
Tradition in order to renew the
Church so that it could present
the Gospel with greater clarity and
conviction to the modern world.
Whereas Hans Kung and other
progressives interpreted reality
from a sociological and political
perspective, Ratzinger preferred a
genuinely theological perspective
as indicated by the choice of the
term communio. It is no accident
that two of the most creative
theologians in this new movement
of Communio, Balthasar and
Ratzinger, were not only
theologians but accomplished
musicians. One of Balthasar’s
more profound slim books was
entitled Truth is Symphonic.
The author includes a list of
prominent Catholic theologians
and intellectuals who became an
informal international network for
the authentic renewal of Catholic
theology as envisioned by the
Council. Some of the more
profound cardinal theologians are
associated with this group; we see
Schönborn, Lustiger, and Scola.
We hope that future historians will
explore this process of renewal
after the initial crisis following the
Council which linked together
various groups and bishops,
theologians, and lay persons in
Italy, Germany, France, Poland,
and the United States. We also
hope that theologians will explore
in greater depth the relation
between theology and philosophy
and the appreciation of music and
beauty. Does a sensibility to the
beauty of a great symphony,
piano sonata, concert Mass, or
painting also lead to a greater
appreciation of the divine Truth
and Creator and the spiritual and
moral dimensions of everyday
human life?
Bardazzi also briefly examines
Ratzinger’s role as a young
theologian and peritus at the
Second Vatican Council and his
complex relations with other
prominent theologians at the
Council such as Hans Kung, Karl
Rahner, and Edward Schillebeeckx
from whom he eventually
distanced himself. Many critics
claim that the “progressive”
Ratzinger became a “reactionary”
after the Council and rejected
many of its reforms. Bardazzi
believes this to be a myth. He was
also familiar with the pastoral
needs of the faithful. As
Archbishop of Munich, Ratzinger
became deeply involved in the
pastoral work of the Church and
the spiritual needs of his people.
Bardazzi notes that Ratzinger’s
years in Rome as Prefect of the
Congregation for the Doctrine of
the Faith produced many
profound theological statements
on diverse topics. The Ratzinger
Report, a book published in his
early years as Prefect, was very
candid about problems within the
Church and had a great influence
in some of these various debates
at that time. Bardazzi also
describes some of Ratzinger’s
more controversial interventions in
disciplining theologians who
dissented from Catholic teaching.
The issues and controversies
surrounding the document,
Dominus Jesus, are also discussed
and Bardazzi dispels the myth
that Ratzinger had written the
document himself without the
knowledge and consent of the
Pope; John Paul II insisted he had
carefully discussed it with
Ratzinger and it had his full
approval. The author quickly
moves through the last days of
John Paul II, the Cardinal’s role in
the funeral rites and conclave and
his election as Pope.
There are about 25 pages of
quotations from Ratzinger’s own
works on a variety of topics at the
end of the book. These topics
include remarks on the
dictatorship of relativism, Western
self-hatred, the UN and the war in
Iraq, war and peace, politics,
Beethoven, and beauty. It is clear
that although our new Holy Father
is above all a theologian, he is also
an intellectual who has not
hesitated to reflect and speak on
a wide range of moral, social, and
cultural issues. He has a very
perceptive and penetrating
intellect and also a warm heart
that can express much wisdom in
only a few words.
Edmund. W. Majewski, S.J.
St. Peter’s College
Jersey City, NJ
| IN THE VINEYARD OF THE LORD on |
| IN THE VINEYARD OF THE LORD on CRISIS MAGAZINE |
| "A backgrounder on the pope" |
| DIOCESE OF YOUNGSTOWN (OHIO) CATHOLIC EXPONENT "(It's) as good an introduction to the new pope’s life and thinking as readers will find. The book is an excellent beginning point for an individual or parish library on the new pontiff. (It's) a book written quickly but with care." |
| In the Vineyard of the Lord is the 2006 summertime reading proposal by H.E. Edward U. Kmiec, Bishop of Buffalo Read the Buffalo News story |
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