[CWW]

Surely you are not that ignorant! All youth were required to be members of Hitler Youth. Cardinal Ratzinger's membership was very short-lived and, in fact, after he was conscripted, he deserted from the German Army because he morally opposed the Ayrian philosophy and the German Government. His family also opposed Hitler.

[cardinal4]

On Fox, one of the American Priests made a comment about those who had besmirched Ratzinger. I didnt know what they were taking about. I didnt know about the Youth. Doesnt mean anything to me.

[Brit_Guy]

Well, I can see the spinmasters spinning it each and everyway....

"He was in the Hitler Youth"
"Yes, he served his country but he was a deserter"
"He is an anti semite - look at his statements on Judaism"
"He is despised in his own country - German catholics can't stand him"
"He is 78!"
etc. etc.

Personally, I cannot see why there was any need to invite any of this controvesy. I think they missed a real opportunity in not selecting Hummes. Such is life. The smoke is out. Bennedict is the man. Let's see what he does....