“I would say that the Spirit does not exactly take control of the affair, but rather like a good educator…leaves us much space, much freedom, without entirely abandoning us…. Probably the only assurance he offers is that the thing cannot be totally ruined. There are too many contrary instances of popes the Holy Spirit would obviously not have picked.”
Cardinal Ratzinger, 1997
Miss you dearly.
One of the marvelous side effects of the conflict when ambiguity confronts one’s faith, is that it causes the truly faithful to dig even deeper into what they believe, eventually to find the answers. Truth, as we’ve been told, will solve the problem.
This is a marvelous light-emitting quote.
I hope he had a happy happy birthday! When he looks back at the all that has happened in his lifetime and his own efforts to be faithful to Jesus – I hope he feels comfort and real consolation. God be with him.