Pope Benedict attacked by Catholic Church’s most senior theologians (Jesus Christ, priest)

[Scott1]

By Malcolm Moore
Telegraph News
22/05/2008
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/2009433/Pope-Benedict-attacked-by-Catholic-Churchandrsquos-most-senior-theologians.html

One of the Catholic Church’s most senior theologians, and former mentor to Pope Benedict XVI, has launched a stinging attack on the Vatican.
Father Hans Küng, 80, a Swiss priest and professor at Tübingen university said it was a “tragedy” for the Catholic Church that Rome had failed to follow the path of liberalisation set out by the Vatican II council in 1965.

In his autobiography, My Fight for Freedom, Fr Küng said he was responsible for Benedict XVI’s appointment as a professor at Tübingen 1966 when he was dean of the Catholic theology faculty. Unusually, Father Küng put forward no other candidates for the post.

“I called only the strongest colleague, not any mediocre ones. Mediocre professors appoint mediocre colleagues; strong professors call strong colleagues,” he said, adding that their three-year relationship had been fruitful.

However, Fr Küng fell out with the Vatican and his former colleague in 1979 when he was stripped of the right to teach theology by Rome after criticising the doctrine of papal infallibility.

The bitter row continued after Benedict’s election as pope in 2005, when Fr Küng said he was “bitterly disappointed”. However, he was unexpectedly called to dinner with the pope shortly afterwards and the two men appeared to have reconciled, with Fr Küng publicly stating his hope in the new regime.

In an interview with La Repubblica, however, he said: “Rome continues to block every sort of renewal, and is blocking any ecumenical unification with the protestant and orthodox churches. This pope has made serious mistakes.”

He softened his attack, however, by adding that he hoped Benedict would carry out “other courageous acts” to reverse the situation.

[YmirGF]

Things can get chilly when the student outstripes the teacher. As far as I am aware Pope Benedict XVI is not bound by Vatican II, or am I just showing my ignorance, Scott?

[doppelgänger]

Originally Posted by YmirGF

Things can get chilly when the student outstripes the teacher. As far as I am aware Pope Benedict XVI is not bound by Vatican II, or am I just showing my ignorance, Scott?

That's hotly debated. One of the main issues is whether the Council was called together for Vatican II for "dogmatic" or "pastoral" purposes by John XXIII. Regardless, the Council did indeed issue documents pertaining to matters of "domga."

It's never quite as clear what are and are not the "dogmas" of the RCC (including the extent of the authority of a Council like Vatican II), as many Catholics would like to think or represent. Indeed, it's as malleable as any other belief system.

[Scott1]

Originally Posted by YmirGF

Things can get chilly when the student outstripes the teacher. As far as I am aware Pope Benedict XVI is not bound by Vatican II, or am I just showing my ignorance, Scott?

Chilly indeed.... but to be clear... Kung has not been an "official" theologian in the Church since 1979... his license to teach was revoked.

No Pope is not bound by ANY council:
Referring to the doctrine of Papal Supremacy the Catechism notes in paragraph 882, “the Roman Pontiff, by reason of his office as Vicar of Christ, and as pastor of the entire Church has full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can always exercise unhindered." Paragraph 937 states, “"The Pope enjoys, by divine institution, 'supreme, full, immediate, and universal power in the care of souls.'”

....not quite as "malleable" as some may think.

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Originally Posted by Scott1

No Pope is not bound by ANY council:

Out of curiosity, where's the line between "Council decision that's stood for some time" and "Holy Tradition"?

[Scott1]

Originally Posted by 9-10ths_Penguin

Out of curiosity, where's the line between "Council decision that's stood for some time" and "Holy Tradition"?

Can I just say first that you should get an award for the best questions on RF... I love reading your posts!

Ok... first, the "official teaching":

CCC #85
"The task of giving an authentic interpretation of the Word of God, whether in its written form or in the form of Tradition, has been entrusted to the living teaching office of the Church alone. Its authority in this matter is exercised in the name of Jesus Christ." This means that the task of interpretation has been entrusted to the bishops in communion with the successor of Peter, the Bishop of Rome.
CCC #86
"Yet this Magisterium is not superior to the Word of God, but is its servant. It teaches only what has been handed on to it. At the divine command and with the help of the Holy Spirit, it listens to this devotedly, guards it with dedication and expounds it faithfully. All that it proposes for belief as being divinely revealed is drawn from this single deposit of faith."

.... but what the heck does that mean?

Well... I don't think there is a "list" of what is part of the deposit of faith... but I think the distinction you are looking for is this:

Ecumenical Councils are legally convened assemblies of ecclesiastical dignitaries and theological experts for the purpose of discussing and regulating matters of church doctrine and discipline.... they do not always pronounce infallible dogmas that would become part of the deposit of faith... some canons of the councils are liturgical.... some deal with heresy... etc etc. Only when a council is CLEARLY teaching something that defines something that is essential for belief would it then be considered part of "BIG T" Tradition.... and not just a council decision that's been around a bit ("LITTLE t" tradition.)

Hope that helps.

[doppelgänger]

Originally Posted by Scott1

No Pope is not bound by ANY council:
Referring to the doctrine of Papal Supremacy the Catechism notes in paragraph 882, “the Roman Pontiff, by reason of his office as Vicar of Christ, and as pastor of the entire Church has full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can always exercise unhindered." Paragraph 937 states, “"The Pope enjoys, by divine institution, 'supreme, full, immediate, and universal power in the care of souls.'”

....not quite as "malleable" as some may think.

Except that the decisions of a recognized Ecumenical Council called by and approved by the Pope is also considered "infallible." There's that pesky malleability again . . . .

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by Scott1

Father Hans Küng, 80, a Swiss priest and professor at Tübingen university said it was a “tragedy” for the Catholic Church that Rome had failed to follow the path of liberalisation set out by the Vatican II council in 1965.

I love Küng.

....

Originally Posted by Scott1

However, Fr Küng fell out with the Vatican and his former colleague in 1979 when he was stripped of the right to teach theology by Rome after criticising the doctrine of papal infallibility.

lol, had no idea he had done that! Makes me him even more.