I think that is fair criticism. He has never dealt with this issue head on, although, he is much more conservative and direct on the issue than was John Paul II - who simply ignored it for years and years - even when it became a tidal wave.
As an alumnus of the Hitler Youth, he should know a just fight against tyranny when he sees it.
In fairness to him - he didn't joining voluntarily, and he left that group. Moreover, every youth in Deutschland in the 1930's (girls included) were required to join a Hitler cult organization.
And he should render to Ceasar what is his. It’s hard to remain a practicing Catholic with this kind of nonsense coming from the top.
The words of Christ are amazing, are they not? No doubt that the Pharisee who tried to trick Christ into either supporting taxes or Rome was probably saying "How did this uneducated rube from backwater Galilee come up with that response so quickly and turn the tables on me?"
As I said previously on this thread, the Pope should concentrate on winning souls for Jesus Christ. Declaring and End to Evil and "Enough" is not his call. It is God's.
I do not blame the Pope for his participation in the Hitler Youth. My point--not well made--was that he should have a personal awareness of the dangers of tyranny (Nazism, al Queda) and understand that it must be fought vigorously if freedom (including of religion) is to be protected.
You are wrong. The pope is declaring the gospel message and it is entirely appropriate for him to do so in his role as vicar of Christ, and for any other Christian to do the same for that matter.
He urged them to raise their heads and reconstruct their life through "reconciliation, forgiveness, justice and coexistence among tribal, ethnic and religious groups."
In other words, "love thy neighbor". Yes, the pope should call for an end to evil, and an end to the willful participation in outrageous, family and society destroying sin. That is the duty of his office, the historical role of his office and is perfectly consistent with the precedents set by the prophets, most notably John the Baptist, Christ Himself, and the communion of saints that followed. Preaching the gospel is always and everywhere " winning souls for Christ."