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I've read only a very little about the coming Papal honor of Hildegard of Bingen as Doctor of trhe Church. From the little I'm reading, some of the "more traditional Catholics" are scoffing because they say Papa Benedict is pandering to the PC Left (claiming Hildegard was a feminist and an ecologist.)(Were these big issues in the 12th century?)

Meanwhile some of the the "more moderist Catholics" are likewise scoffing because they say Papa Benedict is continuing to build up reactionary traditionalism (Hildegard was very big on Liturgy, opposed to homosexuality and masturbation, and made powerful arguments against women in the priesthood.) (Were these big 12th century issues too?)

Fascinating. I too am sure B-16 has some very good reasons for throwing the spotlight on this brilliant Mater et Magistra!

some of the "more traditional Catholics" are scoffing because they say Papa Benedict is pandering to the PC Left (claiming Hildegard was a feminist and an ecologist.)

I think the PC left are intentionally misinterpreting the life of St. Hildegard to make her in the image that they would like her to be. The fact that she is a canonized saint means that she is not a left-wing, radical feminist. There is a movie out about her, which I haven't seen yet, and I don't know how accurate the depiction of her is - Vision.

Pope Benedict's catecheses on St. Hildegard von Bingen:
On St. Hildegard: Cloistered Nun and Mystic with some additional information from annalex
A Continuing Reflection on St. Hildegard