Benedict XVI: A Life, Volume 2

Volume Two: Professor and Prefect to Pope and Pope Emeritus, 1966 - The Present

By: Peter Seewald

Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki

The second volume of Peter Seewald’s magisterial life of Pope Benedict covers the period from the Second Vatican Council (1965-68) to the present day.

Emeritus Pope Benedict commands both adulation and unremitting criticism. In this second volume of Peter Seewald’s authoritative biography, the story runs from the Second Vatican Council (1965-68) that shaped Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger’s conservative ideas about the role of the Catholic Church, through his short, scandal-ridden papacy and unprecedented resignation. Volume two introduces listeners to the Pope Emeritus living in the Vatican Gardens, contemplating the future of the church and his controversial legacy within it.

We see how Benedict was influenced by the Vatican Council and the ensuing political unrest all over Europe in the 1960s. Appointed in 1981 as Prefect of the Congregation of Doctrine of the Faith, and quickly nicknamed “God’s Rottweiler”, he was intransigent on the controversial issues of abortion, contraception, gay rights, and gay marriage. But elected Pope in 2005, his tenure of office was riven with shocking revelations of controversy and scandal and it seemed that by his resignation in 2013, he was incapable of handling the complexities of the church in the modern world.

Vatileaks, sexual abuse by priests, the Regensburg speech which became the spark of an eruption of rage in the Muslim world - all these hit the world’s media headlines.

Peter Seewald is the only person close enough to Benedict to assess the man himself and to uncover the truth about so many of the controversial issues surrounding this papacy.

©2021 Peter Seewald (P)2021 Blackstone Publishing

Grace

I liked and appreciated evidence of God’s grace at work in an imperfect person open to it in faith. It is an encouragement for us all.

Excellent Conclusion filled with Fascinating Insights

The reader’s voice is a touch deep for my taste but he does a very good job. The author comes across as more balanced than some might have feared. Benedict’s detractors on the left hold the commanding heights of the culture, despite being wrong about most things, if not depraved. Nevertheless, the facts are allowed to show this.
It was interesting to learn how influential Ratzinger was as a young theologian, And sad: He went along with a great many of the modernist excesses he eventually began to resist. Thank God someone resisted. He certainly should not have resigned.
Francis is a very bad pope. He learned nothing from the 1930s and continues to cooperate with various antichrists (homosexualists, the CCP, abortion-mongers, etc.). God help us.

The Truth about Pope Benedict XVI

The commentary and style was mostly journalistic which is only 1 Lens and method to know the Pope. But this aspect accurately covers the journalistic disinformation campaign against Pope Benedict. It is shameful how much the media slandered Poe Benedict with propaganda. Though brief a picture of Pope Benedict/ Cardinal Ratzinger’s theology comes through. For anyone who wants to know an accurate picture about Pope Benedict very detailed.

Extraordinary

Few biographers have been so dedicated and thorough. The story is balanced and gripping. Strongly recommend this book for scholars and students alike.

Fabulous

Both volume 1&2 were well worth the read. I have new respect and understanding for this great man of God.