Posted on 07/29/2005 9:54:14 AM PDT by NYer
ROME, Italy, July 28, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – In the conclusion of Cardinal Ratzinger’s lecture, now Pope Benedict XVI, delivered on April 1st, the eve of John Paul II’s death, the then Cardinal strongly denounced the European Enlightenment culture and its increasing dogmatism against religion, Christianity and freedom.
The Cardinal expressed his belief that the reasons given by the architects of the EU Constitution for excluding God from the document—that the mention of God or recognition of the Christian roots of the continent might offend those of other religions—doesn’t hold up under scrutiny.
“The affirmation that the mention of the Christian roots of Europe injures the sentiments of many non-Christians who are in Europe, is not very convincing, given that it relates, first of all, to an historical fact that no one can seriously deny…It is not the mention of God that offends those who belong to other religions, but rather the attempt to build the human community absolutely without God,” said the Cardinal.
Instead, Ratzinger continued, it is obvious that the exclusion of religion from the public sphere is rather the result of the imposition of Enlightenment dogma, which dogma falsely professes the ideals of freedom and tolerance. Indeed, one of the inevitable consequences of what Ratzinger called the ‘Culture of Rights’, as divorced from its Judeo-Christian roots, is that “the concept of discrimination is ever more extended, and so the prohibition of discrimination can be increasingly transformed into a limitation of the freedom of opinion.”
“Very soon,” said the Cardinal in a chilling prophesy that is already coming to fulfillment in many Western nations, including Canada, “it will not be possible to state that homosexuality, as the Catholic Church teaches, is an objective disorder in the structuring of human existence.”
According to Ratzinger it is “obvious that the ill-defined or undefined concept of freedom, which is at the base of this culture, inevitably entails contradictions…A confused ideology of freedom leads to dogmatism, which is showing itself increasingly hostile to freedom.”
Ratzinger concluded by expressing his strong doubt that the Enlightenment culture will ever provide a common cause for men. “We have to ask ourselves,” says the Cardinal, “if it is really complete in itself, to the degree that it has no need of a root outside itself.” The implied answer, of course, is no, the Enlightenment culture without the firm foundation of Europe’s roots in Christianity can only devolve into a pseudo and dogmatic religion, ultimately restrictive of freedom.
Benny nailed it on this one!
Precisely and well stated!!!! How many times have we all proposed similar arguments here on FR?
Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.
Frist is a wimp and has turned out to be a major disappointment.
He claims it has 'nothing' to do with politics. Senator, it's all about politics and being re-elected.
Ping!
Abhor is an extremely harsh word for something that may or may not be wrong.
Forget what people may say about homosexuality (or any other topic), read the Bible for yourself, and listen to what God HIMSELF is saying.
Quit try to make soft and fuzzy excuses for the SINS people commit. Homosexuality is a SIN
JUST AS adultry, fornication, murder, lying, cheating, stealing, and "fibs".
Sin is sin. Its is man who puts levels of seriousness on it, not God. It is one tiny fib that can alienate us from God, and keep us out of heaven. It is Gods GRACE that allows us to come back to him.
Gods standards never change. But our standards, and societies, do.
Think we could swap the UN for the Vatican?
The ony real freedom is the freedom to choose the right thing or to choose to learn from and repent of mistakes.
Papa Benedict is preparing the saints. He's giving warning.
You knew this was coming.
Would be nice, wouldn't it?
You're right. The Dark Times are coming. Il Papa knows it and is getting us ready. We shall persevere.
As a non-Catholic, let me say, I was a great admirer of John Paul and now I believe I am going to like this Pope even more. His statement is on Europe but it also could apply to America. God be with this man and keep him safe.
"Objective disorder?"
How about, simply, failing, PLUMBING 101? That's about as objective as one can get.
Pope Benedict XVI intellect will pass over many ears, but few have the will to listen.
I am really begining to respect this man. Hopefully a new breed of leaders such as he and the new SC justices can reclaim the rudder of this world.
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