Status
Available
Call number
Publication
San Francisco, CA : Ignatius Press, 2010.
User reviews
LibraryThing member John5918
Probably not a book I would have chosen to read, but it was given to me by a bishop and I have to say it was very enjoyable. Indeed my main disappointment was that it didn't go deeper into many of the issues discussed.
Pope Benedict XVI comes over as humble and intelligent, and somewhat more
The interviewer, on the other hand, comes over as pretentious and self-important. Sycophantic would be the polite way to describe his attitude towards the pope. I was told that Benedict, in his earlier incarnation as Joseph Ratzinger, brought the interviewer back to the Church, so I suppose one can see where the hero-worships comes from, but it's a bit over the top.
Some of Benedict's reflections on faith and reason are very compelling. In various places he seems to be quite open to change and development. He acknowledges that while the message is timeless, the way it is expressed must change if it is to remain relevant, and he seems open to new developments emerging independently of the institutional structure of the Church. He affirms both Vatican II and biblical exegesis.
The weakest and most defensive section is probably the one that deals with much of the Church's teaching on sexual morality, despite his now famous statement on condom use. His comments on the Williamson affair, whilst honestly admitting the mistakes that were made within the Vatican, leave one wondering how such a large and sophisticated institution could be so naive and ill-prepared.
All in all a very good book.
Pope Benedict XVI comes over as humble and intelligent, and somewhat more
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moderate and tolerant than I would have expected.The interviewer, on the other hand, comes over as pretentious and self-important. Sycophantic would be the polite way to describe his attitude towards the pope. I was told that Benedict, in his earlier incarnation as Joseph Ratzinger, brought the interviewer back to the Church, so I suppose one can see where the hero-worships comes from, but it's a bit over the top.
Some of Benedict's reflections on faith and reason are very compelling. In various places he seems to be quite open to change and development. He acknowledges that while the message is timeless, the way it is expressed must change if it is to remain relevant, and he seems open to new developments emerging independently of the institutional structure of the Church. He affirms both Vatican II and biblical exegesis.
The weakest and most defensive section is probably the one that deals with much of the Church's teaching on sexual morality, despite his now famous statement on condom use. His comments on the Williamson affair, whilst honestly admitting the mistakes that were made within the Vatican, leave one wondering how such a large and sophisticated institution could be so naive and ill-prepared.
All in all a very good book.
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LibraryThing member CACPua
Pope Benedict XVI is seen by many as a strictly conservative man of the cloth especially when it comes to Liturgical celebrations and those that pertain to the faith. There is a difference when a Pope clearly teaches the faithful of church teachings and seldom do we hear his own opinions. As a
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writer, Pope Benedict has extensively shown his intelligence in many fields not only in philosophy and religion but also other social sciences. What makes this interview book special is that we are able to know more of who the man behind the white cassock. The approach a reader must take care in reading the book is that the position of Benedict XVI in answering the interview questions do not entirely reflect the position of the Church but merely his personal opinions, though there are statements when he says that such is what the Church teaches. Readers must be careful on this. Show Less
LibraryThing member Harrod
Good and formative. Benedicts personality and beliefs shine through.
LibraryThing member mehjg
This review is going to be quick and simple: read this book!
This interview really gives an insight into the personality of Pope Benedict XVI and his views on a wide range of topics relevant to Catholics today. The interviewer asks intentionally provocative questions from both sides of the spectrum
I found the book interesting from cover to cover, and more than once was moved to stop and pray.
So, if you haven’t done so yet, get a copy of this book from your public library or from your favorite bookseller. I’m glad I did.
This interview really gives an insight into the personality of Pope Benedict XVI and his views on a wide range of topics relevant to Catholics today. The interviewer asks intentionally provocative questions from both sides of the spectrum
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(from “conservative” to “liberal”) and almost tries to tease the Pope into making radical statements, to which Benedict replies with his extraordinary modesty and balanced approach to controversial questions.I found the book interesting from cover to cover, and more than once was moved to stop and pray.
So, if you haven’t done so yet, get a copy of this book from your public library or from your favorite bookseller. I’m glad I did.
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