“We owe him gratitude”

By Archbishop Charles J. Chaput

I issued a statement earlier today regarding the announcement from the Vatican. I’m sharing the text here on my facebook page …
From his work as a young theologian at Vatican II to his ministry as universal pastor of the Church, Joseph Ratzinger has served God and the global Christian community with intelligence, eloquence and extraordinary self-sacrifice.
As Pope Benedict XVI, he has led God’s people through complicated times with uncommon grace, and his stepping down now, at 85, from the burdens of his office is another sign of his placing the needs of the Church above his own. Catholics worldwide owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude. He will remain in our hearts and always be in our prayers.

3 Comments

  1. nottinghamiconoclast on February 11, 2013 at 2:10 pm

    Just a pity that his ‘placing the needs of the church’ above all else led him to ignore the evidence of abuse of vulnerable children by Roman Catholic priests and lead an immoral and unforgivable cover up of this scandal. I guess those damaged young people probably don’t feel the same ‘debt of gratitude’ that you do.

    You too, should be ashamed.



    • quinersdiner on February 11, 2013 at 8:20 pm

      Your response is based on a great deal of ignorance, which is understandable in light of media bias. I will respond more fully in a post devoted to your concerns. Thanks for writing.



  2. […] Predictably, it has opened the door to a new wave of anti-Catholic attacks. Here’s a response Quiner’s Diner received to an earlier post today  (“We owe him gratitude“): […]