A peal of Church bells will ring out across Germany, in mourning for pope Benedict XVI on the day of his funeral slated for Thursday January 5th 2023.To many, the pope Benedict XVI, remained a real shepherd of Gods people, who left indelible historical marks as he was first pope to resign in 600years.
Known as Joseph Alois Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI was born on April 16 1927 in the historical town of Marktl am Inn in Bavaria, as the youngest child of Joseph Ratzinger, Sr., a police officer, and Maria Ratzinger, a cook.
He entered the seminary in 1939 and was thereafter, introduced in the German military in 1943, where he served as anti-aircraft unit in Bavaria before being sent to Hungary. He deserted in April that year but was later on captured by American forces.
Life as a Priest.
Throughout his service to the Nation as a young Priest, Pope Benedict’s wisdom shone brightly, bringing the person of Jesus Christ to the forefront of the Church’s teachings.
He was ordained priest in June 1951 along with his brother Greorg, and continued his theological studies at the University of Munich where he obtained his doctorate. He thought theology at the higher school of philosophy and Freising. As a theologian, he inspired the arch Bishop of Cologne Joseph Frings who invited him to serve as an expert at the second Vatican council, from 1962-1965.
He wrote a number of important theological works, including Introduction to Christianity (1968) and Dogma and Revelation (1973).
Archbishop of Munich and Freising
On March 25, 1977, Joseph Ratzinger was appointed archbishop of Munich and Freising by Pope Paul VI. He received his episcopal consecration on May 28, 1977 from Joseph Stangl, Bishop of Würzburg, at the Munich Frauenkirche.
He was quickly elevated to cardinal that year. And four years later, in 1981, Pope John Paul II appointed him Prefect of the Congregation to protect the purity of Church theology – once known as the notorious Holy Inquisition.
Pope Benedict XVI, as prefect of the CDF, reformed handling of sexual abuse so that bishops couldn’t cover it up.
He maintained doctrinal orthodoxy in an otherwise turbulent era, and his love for traditional liturgy gave freedom & consolation to those nourished by the Latin Mass. He equally provided clarity on what Catholicism is all about.
Pope and resignation.
Described as ‘great master of catechesis’, His reign as leader of the Catholic Church touched the lives of countless people around the world and left behind a legacy of service, piety and devotion.
His devotion to faith, peace and humanity led to his appointment as pope in April 2005, becoming at age 78 the oldest newly elected pope since Clement XII (1730–40). He then chooses the name Benedict XVI, which to him refers to ‘simple humble worker in the vine yard of the lord.
He was however the first to meet with victims of Clerical abuse, insisting that strict laws be put in place.
He However travelled to several countries, on a historic visit to the United States in 2008, the pope brought his own identity into clearer focus for Americans. He set forth a moral challenge on issues ranging from economic justice to abortion. He also took church recognition of the priestly sex-abuse scandal to a new level, expressing his personal shame at what happened and personally praying with victims.
On February 11 2013, Pope Benedict announced his resignation in a gathering of Cardinals who had come to Vatican.
“I have convoked you to this Consistory, not only for the three canonizations, but also to communicate to you a decision of great importance for the life of the Church. After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry,” the then 85-year-old pontiff told the gathering of the Catholic Church’s highest-ranking clergymen.