…to move our beloved Catholic Church out of the Middle Ages into Modernity…
This phrase, about as up-to-date and relevant as Woodstock, is a description of the work of Vatican II by a progressivist named Professor Leonard Swidler, or “Len.” At one time, he taught on the same University of Tübingen faculty — with Visiting Professor status — as Joseph Ratzinger (“Joe”). Len doesn’t seem to like Pope Benedict XVI’s recent call to ecclesiastical fidelity and obedience, so he wrote His Holiness a “Dear Joe” letter.
No, I’m not kidding. He really did it.
Dear Joe,
Some years back when you were still the head of the Holy Office (“of the Sacred Inquisition” is, as you know, stilled chiseled in stone over its dark building immediately next to St. Peter’s square), I wrote you an open letter concerning the role of women in the Catholic Church. At that time I addressed you with a familiar “Dear Joe,” relying on our relationship from the late 60s/early 70s when I was frequently a Visiting Professor at the Catholic Theology Faculty of the University of Tübingen, and you were Professor Ordinarius there. I did so in the thought that this form of address would tell you that I seriously hoped you might open your mind and heart to hear what I wanted to say to you. I have no way of knowing what success I may have had, if any, in that regard. However, relying on our former “collegiality,” I am approaching you once again in this fraternal fashion.
I am disturbed that especially of late you have been giving signals that are in opposition to the words and spirit of Vatican Council II, during which you as a leading young theologian helped to move our beloved Catholic Church out of the Middle Ages into Modernity. [Read the whole letter…]
Len, I am impelled to report, belongs an endangered species.
