The Pope’s brother speaks about attacks on the Holy Father

Msgr. Georg Ratzinger pipes up about the attacks on on his brother.

“He doesn’t need me to defend him. But it angers me how unjust and badly informed the people who are attacking him are,” …

 “I always saw her as a rational woman. But perhaps at the moment she is under pressure to say something irrational.” 

About Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Fr. Z is the guy who runs this blog. o{]:¬)
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13 Comments

  1. reader says:

    Isn’t it fitting that the Liberal media is so quick to attack the Pope over something they don’t even understand, while their annointed messiah (Obama) continues to backpeddle on his campaign promises and make bad appointments and show inability to pass his economic agenda, and yet none of that is covered in much detail or vigor?

    I think the media’s prurient obessession with the SSPX case is just a way for them to distract Americans from the reality that Obama is but a man, and not the God-send everyone thought for the past year.

  2. Ann says:

    I am delighted that our wonderful Pope has a brother who speaks up for him. The more voices speaking out the better. Pope Benedict XVI does not deserve all the flack he is getting and it is refreshing to see more and more people speaking out on his behalf.

  3. John Enright says:

    Good for him! That’s what big brothers are supposed to do.

  4. irishgirl says:

    I echo John’s comment-big brothers are supposed to stand up for the ‘young’ ones!

    Stupid liberal media….

  5. MrSammo says:

    It is heartening that people are sticking up for Pope Benedict, and especially heartwarming that his brother has done so. Merkel crossed the line, and she owes Pope Benedict an apology.

  6. Mike T says:

    I have some serious doubts about bild.com.

    The word HE in the sentence immediately prior to the George Ratzinger quote: “He doesn’t
    need me to defend him” clearly refers to Bishop Williamson, doesn’t it? “He has
    often publicly denied the holocaust…”

    Let’s get it straight. That’s Bishop Williamson.

    Immediately to the left of this passage, there is a picture of Pope Benedict
    XVI, and above the picture is the caption: “Bishop Williamson Scandal.”

    I don’t think there is any question. The reporter/editor is hoping to blur
    the distinction between Bishop Williamson and Pope Benedict in the minds
    of less than careful readers.

    Where is this leading? Will the court of (manufactured) public opinion hold
    priests responsible for the sins of those penitents to whom they grant
    absolution?

  7. Michael R. says:

    I really, really like Msgr. Ratzinger.

  8. Brian Walden says:

    That article uses the word rehabilitate everywhere. Who came up with that term? It doesn’t apply to excommunications at all, but every article seems to use it. The reason people are going nuts over this is because none of the articles ever explain what excommunication is and why Williamson was excommunicated. The Vatican gets it’s fair share of the blame for not handling this well when it first announced the lifting of the excommunications, but it’s 10 days later – if the media hasn’t figured out what the remittances mean by now they’ve got problems.

    From the article:
    …the Central Council of Jews and SPD head Franz Muntefering, who said: “I think it is unacceptable to rehabilitate a bishop who denies the Holocaust.”

    I thought the whole point is to rehabilitate Holocaust deniers?

    P.S. Note the difference between the two headlines
    Merkel: Pope must clarify Holocaust stance
    Georg Ratzinger slams Angela Merkel over criticism

  9. John Enright says:

    Thanks irishgirl! It’s not often I’m even noticed here!

  10. Hoka2_99 says:

    Monsignor Georg Ratzinger has always cared for his \”little brother\”, defended him and advised him. I\’m so pleased that Benedict gave that beautiful concert for Georg\’s 85th birhday in the Sistine Chapel. The Regensburger Domspatzen had been flown in [the expense of that was criticised by some whining individuals] and they sang the brothers\’ favourite Mass: The Great C Minor Mass by Mozart. Benedict gave a very moving, impromptu address in honour of his brother, in German. Pleae add Monsignor Ratzinger to your prayer list; I pray for him as well as for his brother, every night. They need each other.
    Readers of this blog probably know that they had an older sister, Maria, who always, always looked after the younger brother [for ten years 1981 to 1991 in Rome] before she died suddenly of a stroke. Joseph [now Benedict], took a long time to come to terms with the loss. At least he still has his brother.

  11. teresa says:

    Dear Father Zuhlsdorf and everyone here:

    I believe Bishop Fellay is determined to return to Rom, the sweet home.

    He has condemned the antisemitism in his latest preach at the Regensburger Seminar where Williamson gave the interview.

    Bishop Fellay said at the end of his preach: “Antisemitism is only a partial phenomen in the Brotherhood. But in every group there are people who are extrem. Through the words of Williamson the old wounds are teared open again. I beg all people for apologize, who are injured by these words, and especially the jewish people”. (my translation)
    in German: Antisemitismus sei in der Pius-Bruderschaft ein Einzelfall. „In einer jeden Gruppe gibt es immer Leute am Rande.“ Durch Williamsons Worte seien Wunden neu aufgerissen worden. „Ich bitte diejenigen um Entschuldigung, die davon verletzt worden sind und ganz besonders das jüdische Volk.“

    Here is the link to the website where you can read the whole predigt:
    http://www.leforumcatholique.org/message.php?num=463313

  12. English Catholic says:

    I’m glad the Pope’s brother has called Merkel out on this. I’m a big admirer of Merkel, so I’m really at a loss to understand why she has said this. Like the Pope, she too is in an important and influential position, and must be careful about what she says lest she be misinterpreted by the mischievous. As the daughter of a Lutheran minister, it would be easy to twist her intentions and accuse her of opening old wounds between protestants and Catholics…

  13. irishgirl says:

    You’re welcome, John! Always happy to echo someone’s comment-especially when they express it better than I can!

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