Cardinal Ratzinger: The Vatican's Enforcer of the Faith - Hardcover

Allen, John L.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0826412653 ISBN 13: 9780826412652

Publisher: Continuum International Publishing Group Ltd., 2001

Synopsis

This biography of Cardinal Ratzinger asks how a once progressive theologian has become an arch-conservative and the second most important figure in the Catholic church. It examines his pre-Vatican life, and his role as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith.

About this title

Product Description

Ratzinger

Review

"We needed a book on [Ratzinger] which was well-researched, informative and analytic, adequately critical, yet thoroughly and determinedly fair. John Allen has given us just such a book."-The Tablet "A terrific writer who is well informed in theology and church history, Allen skillfully navigates the ideological and political controversies of the last 20th-century church."-Publishers Weekly "One would not buy a used theology manual from [Ratzinger], or entrust him with the theological education of one's daughter."-Peter Hebblethwaite "Allen asks-and answers-all the right questions about the church's chief 'enforcer of the faith.' His entertaining narrative helps us to understand how and why the institutional church put the brakes on Vatican II. An important book for those trying to ma I devoured John Allen s insightful biography of the man who will now be known as Pope Benedict XVI. ChristianityToday.com, 4/05 "Allen has thoroughly researched this biography, and [ ] there is much material of interest which has not previously been published or cited in English Without doubt it is important."- Laudatory, June MMI "In this absorbing study John Allen, Vatican correspondent for the National Catholic Reporter, expounds and explores Ratzinger's theology and highlights the central concerns that have so significantly shaped Catholicism during the pontificate of John Paul II Quite apart form the intrinsic fascination (and readability) of this study of so significant a figure in contemporary Catholicism, there are real challenges here for all Christians, and not least Anglicans, who seek to affirm, to pray and to live out the historic revealed Christian faith in so challenging and pluralist a world." New Directions "Meticulously researched Allen has provided a fairly evenhanded account of a key leader in the Catholic Church today." St. Anthony Messenger "Full of important information about Ratzinger's career and changes of position his most original contribution is to argue that Ratzinger sometimes promotes views even more conservative than the Pope's." The New York Review of Books "It is not just because of the position he has occupied since 1981 as head of what used to be the Holy Office that Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger is a key figure in the development of the Roman Catholic Church since Vatican II John L. Allen puts us all in his debt by tracing how this has come about The resulting book is essential reading." Church Times '...journalism of the highest quality.'--Dom Sebastian Moore "Downside Review " '...journalism of the highest quality.'--, "Downside Review " 'an interesting contribution to the debate....John Allen...has penned an informative and invaluable contribution to our understanding of the mind and opinions of the man who is now our pope.' 03/09/2006--, "An honest unparalleled attempt by a liberal Catholic to appreciate the person and thought of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger." TCR News on www.bigbrother.net

Edition details

• Publisher: Continuum International Publishing Group Ltd.
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0826412653
• ISBN 13: 9780826412652
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 336