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Georg Ganswein's New Book: Unpacking the Secrets of a Papal Aide
Introduction:
For years, Georg Gänswein, the longtime private secretary to Pope Benedict XVI, has been a figure shrouded in both privilege and mystery. His unwavering loyalty to the former Pope, his complex relationship with Pope Francis, and his insider perspective on the tumultuous inner workings of the Vatican have captivated the world. Now, with the release of his highly anticipated memoir (the exact title may vary depending on the translation and publishing house – we will refer to it generically as "Georg Ganswein's New Book" until an official English title is confirmed), we finally have the chance to peer behind the curtain. This comprehensive guide delves into everything you need to know about this explosive new publication, exploring its contents, exploring the controversies it's likely to ignite, and answering your burning questions. We'll dissect the key themes, analyze its potential impact, and provide you with a roadmap to understanding this significant contribution to modern papal history.
I. The Anticipation and Controversy Surrounding the Book:
Georg Gänswein's new book has generated considerable buzz long before its official release. The very fact that a figure so close to the heart of the papacy is choosing to share his experiences has created a palpable sense of expectation, mixed with apprehension. The potential for revelations about internal Vatican politics, personal relationships between high-ranking officials, and even theological debates is immense. This anticipation is fueled by Gänswein's position – privy to confidential conversations and crucial decisions for decades – making his perspective uniquely valuable, and potentially controversial. The whispers of untold stories, of conflicts, and of hidden truths have only intensified the curiosity surrounding the book. Many speculate that it could reshape our understanding of recent papal history and the internal dynamics of the Catholic Church. The potential for both praise and fierce criticism is equally apparent.
II. Exploring the Key Themes Likely to be Explored:
While the precise contents remain partially veiled until official publication, based on previews and reporting, several recurring themes are expected to dominate the narrative. These include:
The relationship between Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis: This is perhaps the most anticipated aspect of the book. Gänswein's unique position allowed him to witness firsthand the interplay between these two pivotal figures, and his account is sure to offer unprecedented insights into their personal and professional relationship. Speculation ranges from friendly disagreement to significant tensions.
The complexities of Vatican governance: The book likely explores the intricate power dynamics within the Vatican, shedding light on the decision-making processes, bureaucratic hurdles, and internal conflicts that shape the Church's direction. This could include details about key appointments, internal debates, and the challenges of managing such a large and complex institution.
Benedict XVI's legacy and final years: Gänswein's intimate knowledge of Benedict XVI's life and work will provide a deeply personal account of the former Pope's final years, his reflections, and his enduring legacy. This is expected to be a poignant and insightful element of the book, offering a human perspective on a figure revered by millions.
Personal reflections and anecdotes: Beyond the political and theological narratives, the book is anticipated to contain personal anecdotes and reflections from Gänswein's decades of service. These insights into his personal life and experiences could offer a more relatable and humanizing perspective on this often-enigmatic figure.
III. A Hypothetical Outline of Georg Ganswein's New Book:
Let's construct a potential outline based on the expected themes:
Title (Hypothetical): Within the Walls: My Life Serving Two Popes
I. Introduction: A personal reflection on Gänswein's journey to the Vatican, his early years, and his initial appointment.
II. The Benedict Era: Detailed account of Gänswein's time serving Pope Benedict XVI, covering his personality, his work style, key decisions, and the challenges faced during his papacy. This will likely encompass the Vatileaks scandal and other significant events.
III. The Transition and the Francis Papacy: A detailed account of the papal transition and the beginning of Pope Francis's papacy. This section will likely delve into the evolving relationship between the two Popes, the challenges of serving both, and any perceived conflicts.
IV. Navigating the Internal Dynamics of the Vatican: Insights into the inner workings of the Vatican, the complexities of its governance, and the challenges of managing the diverse personalities and competing interests within the institution.
V. Personal Reflections and Conclusion: Gänswein's personal reflections on his experiences, lessons learned, and the enduring impact of his service to the Catholic Church. This section will likely offer closing thoughts on his relationship with both Popes and his future endeavors.
IV. Detailed Explanation of the Hypothetical Outline Points:
(I) Introduction: This section would set the stage, introducing Gänswein and his background, leading to his appointment as private secretary. It would establish the tone and context for the rest of the narrative.
(II) The Benedict Era: This chapter would be extensive, providing a detailed chronicle of Gänswein's time with Benedict XVI. It would cover significant events of Benedict's papacy, offering firsthand accounts and potentially revealing previously unknown details. It would likely highlight their close working relationship and explore Benedict's personality and leadership style.
(III) The Transition and the Francis Papacy: This section would be crucial, exploring the complex relationship between Benedict and Francis. It would discuss the transition of power, Gänswein's role during this period, and the dynamics of serving two Popes simultaneously. Any tensions or disagreements would likely be addressed here.
(IV) Navigating the Internal Dynamics of the Vatican: This chapter would delve into the intricate workings of the Vatican. It could touch upon the various departments, the decision-making processes, and the challenges of managing the institution. This could also address potential power struggles and internal conflicts.
(V) Personal Reflections and Conclusion: This concluding section would provide Gänswein's personal reflections on his experiences. It would be a personal statement, summarizing his perspective on his service, his relationship with the two Popes, and the lessons he has learned. It would likely offer a thoughtful conclusion to the book.
V. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
1. When will Georg Gänswein's new book be released? The exact release date will vary depending on the region and language. Keep an eye on major publishing announcements.
2. What language will the book be published in? It's likely to be initially published in German, with translations to follow.
3. Where can I pre-order the book? Check major online book retailers and bookstores.
4. What is the expected price of the book? The price will depend on the retailer and format (hardcover, paperback, ebook).
5. Will the book be controversial? Given the sensitive nature of the subject matter, significant controversy is highly anticipated.
6. What kind of insights are expected from the book? Expect unprecedented insights into the inner workings of the Vatican, the relationship between two Popes, and the personal experiences of a key figure in recent Church history.
7. Is the book suitable for all readers? While accessible to a general audience, some readers may find certain aspects complex or potentially controversial.
8. Will the book include photos or other visuals? This is yet to be confirmed, but many memoirs of this nature often include visual elements.
9. What is the expected length of the book? A detailed memoir of this magnitude is likely to be lengthy, potentially several hundred pages.
VI. Related Articles:
1. Pope Benedict XVI's Legacy: A Retrospective: An examination of Benedict XVI's papacy, his theological contributions, and his lasting impact on the Catholic Church.
2. The Papacy of Pope Francis: Key Policies and Challenges: A review of Pope Francis's papacy, its key initiatives, and the challenges he has faced.
3. Understanding the Vatileaks Scandal: A deep dive into the Vatileaks scandal, its impact on the Vatican, and its implications for the Catholic Church.
4. The Role of a Papal Private Secretary: An explanation of the duties and responsibilities of a Papal private secretary, offering context for Gänswein's role.
5. Key Figures in Modern Papal History: Profiles of other important figures who have played key roles in recent Catholic Church history.
6. The Dynamics of Power within the Vatican: An analysis of the power structures and dynamics within the Vatican.
7. Theology and Modern Challenges Facing the Catholic Church: An overview of the key theological debates and challenges facing the Catholic Church in the 21st century.
8. The Relationship between Faith and Politics: An exploration of the complex interplay between religious faith and political power.
9. Book Reviews: Recent Memoirs of Significant Religious Figures: A compilation of reviews of recent memoirs written by significant figures within various religious traditions.
georg ganswein new book: How the Catholic Church Can Restore Our Culture Archbishop Georg Ganswein, 2020-04-15 Prefect of the Papal Household Archbishop Georg Ganswein presents a stirring defense of Catholic theology, Church tradition, and the primacy of the Catholic Faith in his much-anticipated American book debut, How the Catholic Church Can Restore Our Culture. As one of the most distinguished figures in the Catholic Church and the only man to have been in daily interaction with two popes simultaneously, Archbishop Ganswein presents an array of profound observations about the state of the Church and its likely future in an increasingly secular society. He offers a vigorous and convincing argument for the indispensability of the Catholic Church as a civilizing force in culture, and how she alone can, and must, serve as a bulwark against the growing cultural totalitarianism seizing the West. Ganswein also interprets what the “expanded papacy” means for the Church and explains how Pope Benedict's resignation has played a critical and necessary role in demythologizing the office of the papacy. Finally, he offers a framework for spiritual renewal, beginning with the personal reform of priests and bishops. To save the Church, the archbishop explains, we need clerics who prioritize and epitomize the proclamation of God's Word in their own lives and work. The “pastoral approach” of today is important, but only if it recaptures its original, evangelical dimension. |
georg ganswein new book: Joseph and Chico Jeanne Perego, 2008 Relates the life story of Joseph Ratzinger, later to be known as Pope Benedict XVI, from his birth in Germany in 1927 through his election as Pontiff in 2005, as told by his cat, Chico. |
georg ganswein new book: From the Depths of Our Hearts Pope Benedict XVI, Robert Sarah, 2020-03-12 The priesthood is going through a dark time, according to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and Robert Cardinal Sarah. Wounded by the revelation of so many scandals, disconcerted by the constant questioning of their consecrated celibacy, many priests are tempted by the thought of giving up and abandoning everything. In this book, the pope emeritus and the prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments give their brother priests, and the whole Church, a message of hope. They honestly address the spiritual challenges faced by priests today, while pointing to deeper conversion to Jesus Christ as the key to faithful and fruitful priestly ministry and genuine reform. Benedict XVI and Cardinal Sarah fraternally offer these reflections to the people of God and, of course, in a spirit of filial obedience, to Pope Francis, who has said, I think that celibacy is a gift for the Church. . . . I don't agree with allowing optional celibacy, no. Responding to calls for refashioning the priesthood, including proposals from participants in the Amazonian Synod, two wise, spiritually astute pastors explain the importance of priestly celibacy for the good of the whole Church. Drawing on Vatican II, they present celibacy as not just a mere precept of ecclesiastical law, but as a sharing in Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross and his identity as Bridegroom of the Church. of his collaboration with Benedict XVI in writing From the Depths of Our Hearts. |
georg ganswein new book: The Pope Is Not Gay! Angelo Quattrocchi, 2020-05-05 The Pope is Not Gay! is an irreverent history of homophobic and sexist obscurantism in the Holy Roman Church and an endoscopic examination of its greatest contemporary advocate, Pope Benedict XVI. In his inimitable style, Angelo Quattrocchi traces the evolution of Joseph Ratzinger's life, beginning with the pope's childhood in Nazi Germany, his membership of the Hitler youth in Bavaria and his conscription into the German anti-aircraft corps. His has been a startling career, a story that helps explain his development as a reactionary theologian and culminates in his carefully planned election to the papacy in 2005. Quattrocchi contrasts the Pope's doctrinal rigidity on issues such as birth control, abortion, and homosexuality to his extravagant attire and his controversial relationship with his private secretary, Cardinal Georg Gnswein. Rigidity on all fronts. Illustrated throughout and including Ratzinger's key writings on homosexuality as an appendix, The Pope is Not Gay! sheds new light on the Catholic Church's sustained interference in contemporary politics and society and the hypocrisy of its pontiffs past and present. |
georg ganswein new book: My Brother the Pope Georg Ratzinger, Michael Hesemann, 2012-01-30 Be sure to check out the for more information. It wasn't always the case that Msgr. Georg Ratzinger lived in the shadow of his younger brother, Joseph. Georg was an accomplished musician, who for over 30 years directed the Regensburger Domspatzchor, the world-famous boys choir of the Regensburg cathedral. Brother Joseph was a brilliant young professor, but mostly known in German academic circles. Now Georg writes about the close friendship that has united these two brothers for more than 80 years. This book is a unique window on an extraordinary family that lived through the difficult period of National Socialism in Germany. Those interested in knowing more about the early life of Benedict XVI will not be disappointed. They will also learn of the admirable character and inspiring example of the parents, and see how the Catholic faith can shape not just a family, but an entire culture-in this case, that of Bavaria. Georg's reminiscences are detailed, intimate, and warm. And while they begin with the earliest years of the Ratzinger family, they continue right up to the present day. This is not simply a book to satisfy curiosity about a celebrity, though it certainly does that. It's a beautiful portrait of Catholic family life and, in the most literal sense, of enduring fraternal charity. Georg has a talent for telling a story, and the co-author fills in some of the larger historical background. The many photographs, both in black and white and in color, round out a thoroughly enjoyable and inspirational book. Illustrated with 47 photographs. |
georg ganswein new book: In the Closet of the Vatican Frederic Martel, 2019-02-21 The New York Times Bestseller - Revised and Expanded [An] earth-shaking exposé of clerical corruption - National Catholic Reporter The arrival of Frédéric Martel's In the Closet of the Vatican, published worldwide in eight languages, sent shockwaves through the religious and secular world. The book's revelations of clericalism, hypocrisy, cover-ups and widespread homosexuality in the highest echelons of the Vatican provoked questions that the most senior Vatican officials--and the Pope himself--were forced to act upon; it would go on to become a New York Times bestseller. Now, almost a year after the book's first publication, Frédéric Martel reflects in a new foreword on the effect the book has had and the events that have come to light since it was first released. In the Closet of the Vatican describes the double lives of priests--including the cardinals living with their young assistants in luxurious apartments whilst professing humility and chastity--the cover-up of numerous cases of sexual abuse; sinister scheming in the Vatican; political conspiracy overseas in Argentina and Chile, and the resignation of Benedict XVI. From his unique position as a respected journalist with uninhibited access to some of the Vatican's most influential people and private spaces, Martel presents a shattering account of a system rotten to its very core. |
georg ganswein new book: The Next Pope Edward Pentin, 2020-07-07 Watch the Highlights Video of the June 24 live panel discussion from Rome.??????? When Pope Francis' pontificate has passed, it's very likely that one of the nineteen cardinals featured in these pages will be elected to become the next Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church, the spiritual leader of over a billion Catholics and the most influential and widely respected moral and religious figure in the world. Yet outside the Vatican walls, despite the considerable roles that some of these men play in the Church and in the world, few of them are known by the public — or even by their brother cardinals. Hence this book, an engrossing and thoroughly documented instrument through which a future pope may be known in that sphere that matters most: his life and service, first as a priest, and then as a bishop. Written by the National Catholic Register's longtime Rome correspondent, Edward Pentin, in collaboration with an international team of qualified scholars, these encyclopaedic pages present you with the fruit of years of research. Each cardinal profile begins with a brief biography that sketches the major points of his ecclesiastical life. Then comes a detailed, richly footnoted report and assessment of his three fundamental roles as a successor to the apostles: his sanctifying role as a priest, his governing role as a bishop, and his prophetic role as a teacher. As an important bonus, these pages also carefully document many of the candidates' published views on moral and theological issues currently debated in the Church and in the public arena, as such views often reveal most efficiently the individual's true character and deepest held beliefs. Finally, each profile concludes with a summary, recapitulating the main points brought to light by the thorough research, giving readers and tomorrow's cardinal electors a fair and accurate picture of the man who may soon become The Next Pope. |
georg ganswein new book: The Secret of Benedict XVI Antonio Socci, 2019-05-24 Questions keep arising about what really happened in 2013 with the surprising resignation of Benedict XVI, his decision to remain on as pope emeritus, and thus the presence of two popes living side-by-side. In this compelling work, Socci investigates the mysterious mission to which Benedict XVI has felt called in service of the Church. |
georg ganswein new book: Benedict XVI: A Life Volume One Peter Seewald, 2020-12-10 By any reckoning, the papacy of Pope Benedict XVI was extraordinary, with moments of high drama. Not the least of these was his resignation from office in February 2013, the first papal resignation in 500 years. But who is Joseph Ratzinger? In this definitive biography, based on meticulous historical research and many hours of taped interviews with his subject, Peter Seewald shows the exceptional circumstances in which the exceptionally talented son of a Bavarian policeman became the first German pope for 950 years. In this first volume, covering the years 1927–1965, we witness Joseph Ratzinger's early days, living above his father's police station. Ratzinger came to adulthood through the years of National Socialism. Though hostile to the rise of Hitler, his family knew well about Dachau and Ratzinger himself was conscripted into the Hitler Youth. Joseph Ratzinger proved to be a man of exceptional intellectual gifts and by the time of the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965) he was already noted as one of the outstanding intellects present and was nominated a 'peritus' or theological expert. This was also the time of the start of his friendship with the Swiss theologian Hans Küng who was to become his nemesis. Of his predecessor, Pope Francis has said: 'Pope Benedict was a great Pope, great for the penetration of his intelligence, great for his important contribution to theology, great for his love of the Church and human beings, great for his virtues and faith'. Even in this first volume, we begin to understand how this came to be true. |
georg ganswein new book: Benedict and Chico Jeanne Perego, 2008 In time for World Youth Day comes this unique tale about Pope Benedict XVI told by a cat. |
georg ganswein new book: Theology of the Liturgy Joseph Ratzinger, 2014-05-13 This major volume is a collection of the writings of Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI) on the theology of the Liturgy of the Church, a subject of preeminence to him as a theologian, professor and spiritual writer. It brings together all his writings on the subject, short and long, giving his views on liturgical matters and questions over many years and from various perspectives. He chose to have his writings on the Liturgy for the first volume published of his collected works (though listed as vol. 11) because, as he says in the Introduction: The liturgy of the Church has been for me since my childhood the central reality of my life, and it became the center of my theological efforts. I chose fundamental theology as my field because I wanted first and foremost to examine thoroughly the question: Why do we believe? But also included from the beginning in this question was the other question of the right response to God and, thus, the question of the liturgy. By starting with the theme of liturgy in this volume, Ratzinger wants to highlight God's primacy, the absolute precedence of the theme of God. Beginning with a focus on the liturgy, he said, tells us that God is first. He quotes from the Rule of St. Benedict, Nothing is to be preferred to the liturgy, as a way of ordering priorities for the life of the Church and of every individual. He says that the fundamental question of the man who begins to understand himself correctly is: How must I encounter God? Thus learning the right way of worshipping is the gift par excellence that is given to us by the faith. The essential purpose of his writings on the liturgy is to place the liturgy in its larger context, which he presents in three concentric circles. First, the intrinsic interrelationship of Old and New Testament; without the connection to the Old Testament heritage, the Christian liturgy is incomprehensible. The second circle is the relationship to the religions of the world. The third circle is the cosmic character of the liturgy, which is more than the coming together of a circle of people: the liturgy is celebrated in the expanse of the cosmos, encompassing creation and history at the same time. |
georg ganswein new book: Light Of The World Peter Seewald, Pope Benedict XVI, 2010-10-29 Never has a Pope, in a book-length interview, dealt so directly with such wide-ranging and controversial issues as Pope Benedict XVI does in Light of the World. Taken from a recent week-long series of interviews with veteran journalist Peter Seewald, this book tackles head-on some of the greatest issues facing the world of our time. Seewald poses such forthright questions to Pope Benedict as: What caused the clergy sexual abuse in the Catholic Church? Was there a cover up? Have you considered resigning? Does affirming the goodness of the human body mean a plea for better sex? Can there be a genuine dialogue with Islam? Should the Church rethink Catholic teaching on priestly celibacy, women priests, contraception, and same-sex relationships? Holy Communion for divorced-and-remarried Catholics? Is there a schism in the Catholic Church? Should there be a Third Vatican Council? Is there any hope for Christian unity? Is Christianity the only truth? Can the Pope really speak for Jesus Christ? How can the Pope claim to be infallible? Is there a dictatorship of relativism today? Twice before these two men held wide-ranging discussions, which became the best-selling books Salt of the Earth and God and the World. Then, Seewald's discussion partner was Joseph Ratzinger, head of the Vatican's chief doctrinal office. Now, Joseph Ratzinger is Pope Benedict XVI, the spiritual leader of the world's over one billion Catholics. Though Seewald now interviews the Pope himself, the journalist pulls no punches, posing some of the thorniest questions any Pope has had to address. Believers and unbelievers will be fascinated to hear Benedict's thoughtful, straightforward and thought-provoking replies. This is no stern preachment or ponderous theological tract, but a lively, fast-paced, challenging, even entertaining exchange. |
georg ganswein new book: The Outsider Christopher Lamb, 2020-04-15 A review of the papacy of Pope Francis, and of the opposition he has faced-- |
georg ganswein new book: From Benedict's Peace to Francis's War Peter Kwasniewski, 2021-10-23 An anthology of 70 essays and articles by prelates and pastors, theologians and canonists, philosophers and cultural figures-including: Cardinal Walter Brandmüller • Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke • Cardinal Gerhard Müller • Cardinal Robert Sarah • Cardinal Joseph Zen • Archbishop Thomas Gullickson • Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò • Bishop Rob Mutsaerts • Bishop Athanasius Schneider • Msgr. Charles Pope • Dom Alcuin Reid • Abbé Claude Barthe • Fr. John Hunwicke • Michael Brendan Dougherty • Ross Douthat • Edward Feser • Michael Fiedrowicz • Peter A. Kwasniewski • Phil Lawler • Martin Mosebach • George Neumayr • Joseph Shaw • and many others Already on July 16, 2021, the reactions to Pope Francis's severe restrictions on the traditional Latin Mass in Traditionis Custodes were like a river in full flood: articles, essays, interviews, podcasts-everywhere and from every point of view. An emotional, spiritual, intellectual dam had broken and the waters of discourse poured forth across the world. The sheer volume of writing occasioned by Traditionis Custodes is unlike anything seen in the history of papal documents-testimony to a neuralgic subject on which arguments proliferate and passions run high. The two-month period following the release of the motu proprio gave proof that the traditionalist movement was no fringe phenomenon, but something that had gained significant strength and sympathy during the relatively peaceful years from 2007 to 2021 (the Pax Benedictina to which the book's title refers). The purpose of this volume is to gather in one convenient place some of the finest and most appreciated essays and articles published in the period from mid-July through September of this fateful year, 2021-not only from America and England (although these predominate), but also from other nations: France, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Argentina, Poland, Kazakhstan, and China. This book is not, and makes no pretense of being, a presentation of both sides of the argument. It offers a variety of critiques of this profoundly unwise and unpastoral decree, which suffers from incoherent doctrinal foundations, grave moral and juridical defects, and impossible ecclesiological implications. |
georg ganswein new book: Six Popes Hilary C. Franco, 2021-05-25 “Monsignor Franco is known as an engaging storyteller of his impactful time in the Church. Read this book and you will see why.” — Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archdiocese of New York Six Popes: A Son of the Church Remembers is Monsignor Hilary C. Franco’s engaging memoir and a story only a son can tell, a son not only of the Catholic Church, but also of Italian immigrants. From Belmont, his Bronx neighborhood, Franco rose to work with the highest and most influential figures of the Roman Catholic Church. As a young man he attended Rome’s premier seminary, soon after becoming the special assistant to Archbishop Fulton Sheen. As a priest he would travel the world, and he recounts a harrowing experience in the Deep South in the early 1960s, his work at the Vatican Councils that redefined the Church, and his time posted at the Church’s diplomatic missions in Washington, D.C., and the United Nations. This most formidable churchman reveals his tales of intellectual, pastoral, and diplomatic service to the Catholic Church, enlivened by recollections of the fascinating people he came to know from U.S. presidents and foreign heads of state, to religious leaders like Padre Pio and Saint Mother Teresa. The title of his current role, Advisor at the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations, gives little hint of the drama of the times he recollects. Stories of this book’s six pontiffs that Franco served under — John XXIII, Paul VI, John Paul I, John Paul II, Benedict XVI, Francis — offer landmarks along Franco’s trek through the corridors of spiritual power in New York, Washington, D.C., and Rome. Six Popes: A Son of the Church Remembers is written from a unique eyewitness vantage on many of the events and movements that shaped our world and the Catholic Church. There is really no other book like it. |
georg ganswein new book: Salt of the Earth Peter Seewald, Joseph Ratzinger, 1997 An interview in the late 1990s with the future Pope, then an important Vatican official, explores his life and role in the Church, the problems faced by the Catholic Church at the time, and its future in the twenty-first century. |
georg ganswein new book: Journal of a Soul Pope John XXIII,, 2000-07-09 From the age of fourteen until his death at the age of eighty-two, Pope John XXIII kept what he called his 'Journal of a Soul' - the record of his growth in holiness. Elected Pope at the age of seventy-eight he impressed the world with the breadth of his mind but also with his simplicity and his will to be at the service of others. This book covers the full span of his long career from the seminary at Bergamo to his brief but transformative papacy.His journal is a rare and intimate record of the spiritual life of a much-loved figure. As he wrote, 'my soul is in these pages.' |
georg ganswein new book: Benedict XVI: A Life Volume Two Peter Seewald, 2021-11-11 Emeritus Pope Benedict commanded both adulation and unremitting criticism. To millions, he was a beacon of light in a turbulent modern world. In this second volume of Peter Seewald's authoritative biography, the story continues from the Second Vatican Council (1965–8) right up to his resignation in 2013 - the first Pope to do so in almost 600 years. We see how Benedict was influenced by the Council and the ensuing political unrest all over Europe to move from a liberal perspective on the Church and the modern world to one that was profoundly conservative. Appointed in 1981 as prefect of the Congregation of Doctrine of the Faith, and quickly nicknamed 'God's Rottweiler', he proved to be intransigent on the controversial issues of abortion, contraception, gay rights and gay marriage. But elected Pope in 2005, his tenure of office was so riven with shocking revelations of controversy and scandal that it seemed that by the time of 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 anger and rage in the Muslim world – all these hit the world's media headlines. Peter Seewald was the only person who was close enough to Benedict to assess the man himself and to uncover the truth about so many of the controversial issues surrounding this most controversial papacy. Seewald has already published two books of interviews with Benedict and this book is based not just on meticulous research but on many hours of recorded interviews with Benedict himself. It will stand for many years as the definitive biography of Benedict XVI from an author with unrivalled access to the Pope Emeritus. |
georg ganswein new book: Benedict of Bavaria Brennan C. Pursell, 2008 Just in time for the Pope's April 2008 visit to the US! Highlighting a little-known personal side of Pope Benedict XVI, this book places him in the context of his homeland, Bavaria ? a place which Brennan Pursell has come to know well through extensive travel and study over the last 12 years. Explore the extraordinary brilliance of Pope Benedict's mind and the universality of his vocation within the context of his identity as a simple Bavarian son. Includes color photos and a rare look at a day in the life of the Pope. Benedict of Bavaria took two years to write, and was born of an overwhelming desire Dr. Pursell felt to make the life and work of his favorite theologian better known to the American reading public. Much of the media coverage about the Pope has demonstrated a general lack of knowledge about the culture that contributed so decisively to his youth and formation. This book helps change that. Since 2001, Pursell has served as a professor of history at DeSales University, a Catholic liberal arts college in eastern Pennsylvania, where he teaches a wide range of courses in European history and leads summer tours of Bavaria for students and community members. |
georg ganswein new book: The Bible for Grown-Ups Simon Loveday, 2016-08-04 'Loveday's case is that the mantle of historical truth and divine authority has placed upon the Bible an intolerable weight, crushing it as a creative work of immense imaginative and inspirational power. His argument is both fascinating and persuasive.' Matthew Parris The Bible for Grown-Ups neither requires, nor rejects, belief. It sets out to help intelligent adults make sense of the Bible – a book that is too large to swallow whole, yet too important in our history and culture to spit out. Why do the creation stories in Genesis contradict each other? Did the Exodus really happen? Was King David a historical figure? Why is Matthew's account of the birth of Jesus so different from Luke's? Why was St Paul so rude about St Peter? Every Biblical author wrote for their own time, and their own audience. In short, nothing in the Bible is quite what it seems. Literary critic Simon Loveday's book – a labour of love that has taken over a decade to write – is a thrilling read, for Christians and anyone else, which will overturn everything you thought you knew about the Good Book. |
georg ganswein new book: Benedict and Francis Gerhard Ludwig Müller, 2017 Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis have each approached the papacy in strikingly different ways, yet they share the same fundamental vision of the world and man. In these pages, Cardinal Muller, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, explores the differences and commonalities of these two popes, showing how the challenge for the Church's hierarchy remains the same, and how these two popes are leading the Church to resist worldly infections and to heal the spiritual diseases of our time. He also provides a succinct and fascinating look into the universal ministry of the Church, showing how the popes, as successors to Peter, are the visible head of the pilgrim Church and are tasked with carrying out the pastoral ministry of Christ. Cardinal Muller shows us that the popes are bound by the testimony of the Word of God in Scripture and tradition, and that when the Church liberates herself from worldly thinking the way is cleared for a spiritual renewal in Jesus Christ. With frank analysis of the challenges that societies and contemporary culture pose to the Church in light of the two pontificates, Cardinal Muller explores the proper role of the state and of the Church in secular society as well as the challenge for the Church hierarchy in resisting worldly infections and healing the spiritual diseases of our time. Working closely with both Benedict XVI and Pope Francis as a trusted member of the Roman Curia, Cardinal Muller offers us an inside look at the differences and similarities of the two men who have most recently been entrusted with the Chair of Peter. |
georg ganswein new book: Pope Benedict XVI Joseph Pearce, 2021-11-16 Pope Benedict XVI will go down in Church history as one of the greatest popes. In this heartfelt defense of Pope Benedict's words and works, a tribute to his life and legacy and a homage to his sanity and sanctity, Joseph Pearce's biography provides an unforgettable encounter with this great historical figure. As the defender of the Faith, Pope Benedict XVI fought tirelessly and largely successfully against the forces of secularism first as the indomitable Ratzinger and then as the incomparable supreme pontiff. As an uncompromising defender of the dignity of the human person, he fought the wickedness of the world in his unremitting battle against the dictatorship of relativism and its culture of death. Within the Church, he fought against the spirit of the world in his war on modernism and its worship of the spirit of the age, restoring the splendor of truth in his defense of orthodoxy and the splendor of the liturgy in his defense of tradition. Years from now, Catholics will still look back on Pope Benedict's enduring legacy with enormous gratitude. For he successfully steered the barque of Peter in charity and truth against the evil tides that sought to engulf the Church. |
georg ganswein new book: The Other Francis Deborah Castellano Lubov, 2018 In this book Deborah Castellano Lubov explores the personality and thinking of Pope Francis. Drawing on interviews with major figures in the Roman Curia and the universal Catholic Church, as well as with the friends and family of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, she presents a vivid portrait of the Pope, both as a man and in his treatment of current issues, particularly that of the dignity of the human person. The book contains an exclusive interview with the sister of the Pope, along with those closest to him: ● Maria Elena Bergoglio ● Cardinal Charles Maung Bo ● Cardinal Timothy Dolan ● Archbishop Georg Ganswein ● Cardinal Kurt Koch ● Archbishop Joseph Edward Kurtz ● Father Federico Lombardi ● Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Muller ● Cardinal Wilfrid Fox Napier ● Adrian Pallarols ● Cardinal George Pell ● Rabbi Abraham Skorka ● Cardinal Peter Turkson ● His Beatitude Fouad Twal |
georg ganswein new book: Way of the Cross Pope Benedict XVI, 2005 Pray through the mystery of salvation with our new pope, Benedict XVI! Experience for yourself the Way of the Cross that Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger-now Pope Benedict XV-wrote for this time-honored devotion held on Good Friday at Rome's Coliseum. Curiosity regarding Benedict's spiritual writings has sparked worldwide interest in these meditations and prayers that highlight the new pope's personal prayer life, as well as his vision for the future of the Church. |
georg ganswein new book: The New Underworld Order: Triumph of Criminalism the Global Hegemony of Masonic Intelligence Christopher Story, 2006 |
georg ganswein new book: Benedict XVI Elio Guerriero, 2018-12-17 In these pages Benedict XVI shares his reasons for retiring from the papacy in 2013 in an interview with the author. Many saw his astonishing retirement as a sign of the Church's decline, but he intended it as a seed sown in the hope of bringing the Church a younger, more vigorous leadership in the face of daunting challenges. Among those challenges are the financial and sexual scandals that continue to undermine the Church's mission. When Ratzinger was elected Pope in 2005, he opened a path of purification for the Church, while calling upon the Western world to return to its Christian roots and to build a new humanism for the twenty-first century, and his call for renewal is still relevant. Widely recognized as one of the most important theologians and spiritual leaders of our time, Joseph Ratzinger served throughout the papacy of John Paul II as the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Both men had witnessed how atheistic philosophies and war had ravaged twentieth-century Europe, and they shared in the effort of revealing to modern man his need for God, for redemption in Jesus Christ. |
georg ganswein new book: Mary's Voice in the Gospel According to John Michael Pakaluk, 2021-02-16 A New Light on John’s Gospel The Gospel according to John has always been recognized as different from the “synoptic” accounts of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. But what explains the difference? In this new translation and verse-byverse commentary, Michael Pakaluk suggests an answer and unlocks a twothousand-year-old mystery. Mary’s Voice in the Gospel according to John reveals the subtle but powerful influence of the Mother of Jesus on the fourth Gospel. In his dying words, Jesus committed his Mother to the care of John, the beloved disciple, who “from that hour . . . took her into his own home.” Pakaluk draws out the implications of that detail, which have been overlooked for centuries. In Mary’s remaining years on earth, what would she and John have talked about? Surely no subject was as close to their hearts as the words and deeds of Jesus. Mary’s unique perspective and intimate knowledge of her Son must have shaped the account of Jesus’ life that John would eventually compose. With the same scholarship, imagination, and fidelity that he applied to Mark’s Gospel in The Memoirs of St. Peter, Pakaluk brings out the voice of Mary in John’s, from the famous prologue about the Incarnation of the Word to the Evangelist’s closing avowal of the reliability of his account. This remarkably fresh translation and commentary will deepen your understanding of the most sublime book of the New Testament. |
georg ganswein new book: Things Worth Dying For Charles J. Chaput, 2021-03-16 With a balance of wisdom, candor, and scholarly rigor the beloved archbishop emeritus of Philadelphia takes on life’s central questions: why are we here, and how can we live and die meaningfully? In Things Worth Dying For, Chaput delves richly into our yearning for God, love, honor, beauty, truth, and immortality. He reflects on our modern appetite for consumption and individualism and offers a penetrating analysis of how we got here, and how we can look to our roots and our faith to find purpose each day amid the noise of competing desires. Chaput examines the chronic questions of the human heart; the idols and false flags we create; and the nature of a life of authentic faith. He points to our longing to live and die with meaning as the key to our search for God, our loyalty to nation and kin, our conduct in war, and our service to others. Ultimately, with compelling grace, he shows us that the things worth dying for reveal most powerfully the things worth living for. |
georg ganswein new book: Prison Journal George Pell, 2020-12-16 Innocent! That final verdict came after George Cardinal Pell endured a grueling eight years of accusations, investigations, trials, public humiliations, and more than a year of imprisonment after being convicted by an Australian court of a crime he did not commit. Led off to jail in handcuffs, following his sentencing on March 13, 2019, the 78-year-old Australian prelate began what was meant to be six years in jail for historical sexual assault offenses”. Cardinal Pell endured more than thirteen months in solitary confinement, before the Australian High Court voted 7-0 to overturn his original convictions. His victory over injustice was not just personal, but one for the entire Catholic Church. Bearing no ill will toward his accusers, judges, prison workers, journalists, and those harboring and expressing hatred for him, the cardinal used his time in prison as a kind of extended retreat. He eloquently filled notebook pages with his spiritual insights, prison experiences, and personal reflections on current events both inside and outside the Church, as well as moving prayers. |
georg ganswein new book: Called to Communion Joseph Ratzinger, 2010-10-21 This is a book of wisdom and insight that explains how providential are the trials through which the Catholic Church is now passing. The need of the Papal Primacy to ensure Christian unity; the true meaning of the Priesthood as a sacrament and not a mere ministry; the necessity of the Eucharist as the Sacrifice of the Savior now offering Himself on our altars; the role of the Bishops as successors of the Apostles, united with the successor of St. Peter, the Bishop of Rome; the value of suffering in union with Christ crucified; the indispensable service of the laity in the apostolate - all these themes receive from Cardinal Ratzinger new clarity and depth. Learn more about Pope Benedict! Visit the |
georg ganswein new book: One Man, One Woman Dale O'Leary, 2007 A defense of traditional marriage. With clarity and force Dale O'Leary tackles the many myths surrounding this contentious issue. One Man, One Woman, the first book of its kind written for Catholics, shares knowledge and experience of every facet of the gay-marriage debate: politics, psychology, biology, religion, and social science. |
georg ganswein new book: The Art of Dying , 2021 The Medicalization of dying and the disregard for the life of the soul within contemporary health care prompt the return of the Ars moriendi, or The Art of Dying. This widely influential fifteenth-century text was designed to guide dying persons and their loved ones in Catholic religious practices at a time when access to a priest and the sacraments was similarly limited. This remarkable and inspiring work serves as a valuable resource for Catholic today, encouraging their full participation in the rich sacramental and liturgical tradition of the Church and challenging them to keep their eyes fixed on Christ and the promise of eternal life with him. This new translation includes illuminating annotations on its theological and pastoral content. A scholarly introduction examines the book's history, use, and present application. The book contains exact reproductions of the original medieval woodblock prints. Additional prayers have been incorporated from the longer version of the work, newly translated with Latin originals. The appendix presents confessions of faith, explanations of the sacraments, and guides to the examination of conscience, the rosary, and the divine mercy chaplet. |
georg ganswein new book: Co-workers of the Truth Pope Benedict XVI, 1992-01-01 Arranged according to themes from Scripture and the liturgical seasons, these meditations provide a wonderful source of inspiration and prayer. Cardinal Ratzinger emphasizes the importance of uniting charity with truth to help awaken in each reader the courage and generosity to become co-workers with the Gospel. |
georg ganswein new book: Wounded Shepherd Austen Ivereigh, 2019-11-05 “Essential reading for historians of [Francis’s] papacy in years to come, from the New York Times–bestselling author of The Reformer and Let us Dream.” —The Tablet Austen Ivereigh’s colorful, clear-eyed portrait of Pope Francis takes us inside the Vatican’s urgent debate over the future of the church in Wounded Shepherd This deeply contextual biography centers on the tensions generated by the pope’s attempt to turn the Church away from power and tradition and outwards to engage humanity with God’s mercy. In turbulent meetings and on global trips, history’s first Latin-American pope has attempted to reshape the Church to evangelize the contemporary age. At the same time, he has stirred other leaders’ deep-seated fear that the Church is capitulating to modernity. Facing rebellions over his allowing sacraments for the divorced and his attempt to create a more “ecological” Catholicism, as well as a firestorm of criticism for the Church’s record on sexual abuse, Francis emerges as a leader of remarkable vision and skill with a relentless spiritual focus—a leader who is at peace in the turmoil surrounding him. With entertaining anecdotes, insider accounts, and expert analysis, Ivereigh’s journey through the key episodes of Francis’s reform in Rome and the wider Church brings into sharp focus the frustrations and fury, as well as the joys and successes, of one of the most remarkable pontificates of the contemporary age. “A thoughtful, essential book.” —Booklist, starred review “Highly recommended.” —Library Journal, starred review “A richly detailed and engaging portrait of Francis as pope.” —Commonweal “A revelation.” —Publishers Weekly “A detailed study packed with insider tidbits.” —Kirkus Reviews |
georg ganswein new book: The Dictator Pope Marcantonio Colonna, 2018-04-23 Marcantonio Colonna's The Dictator Pope has rocked Rome and the entire Catholic Church with its portrait of an authoritarian, manipulative, and politically partisan pontiff. Occupying a privileged perch in Rome during the tumultuous first years of Francis’s pontificate, Colonna was privy to the shock, dismay, and even panic that the reckless new pope engendered in the Church’s most loyal and judicious leaders. The Dictator Pope discloses that Father Mario Bergoglio (the future Pope Francis) was so unsuited for ecclesiastical leadership that the head of his own Jesuit order tried to prevent his appointment as a bishop in Argentina. Behind the benign smile of the people's pope Colonna reveals a ruthless autocrat aggressively asserting the powers of the papacy in pursuit of a radical agenda. |
georg ganswein new book: The Silence of Sodom Mark D. Jordan, 2002-05 The past decade has seen homosexual scandals in the Catholic Church becoming ever more visible, and the Vatican's directives on homosexuality becoming ever more forceful, begging the question Mark Jordan tries to answer here: how can the Catholic Church be at once so homophobic and so homoerotic? His analysis is a keen and readable study of the tangled relationship between male homosexuality and modern Catholicism. [Jordan] has offered glimpses, anecdotal stories, and scholarly observations that are a whole greater than the sum of its parts. . . . If homosexuality is the guest that refuses to leave the table, Jordan has at least shed light on why that is and in the process made the whole issue, including a conflicted Catholic Church, a little more understandable.—Larry B. Stammer, Los Angeles Times [Jordan] knows how to present a case, and with apparently effortless clarity he demonstrates the church's double bind and how it affects Vatican rhetoric, the training of priests, and ecclesiastical protectiveness toward an army of closet cases. . . . [T]his book will interest readers of every faith.—Daniel Blue, Lambda Book Report A 2000 Lambda Literary Award Finalist |
georg ganswein new book: Contagious Faith Philip Lawler, 2021-04-27 |
georg ganswein new book: Pope Francis and the New Vatican Robert Draper, 2015 Pope Francis' appointment to the papacy in 2013 electrified the world and injected a new energy into the Catholic Church. His message of mercy and humility resonates the world over, with people of every faith. For this extraordinary book, National Geographic photographer Dave Yoder spent more than six months working in the field in Rome to capture the spirit of the Vatican today, revealing the pontiff's public life and personal crusades as never before and showcasing the fascinating inner workings of the Vatican, a uniquely powerful state. Complementary essays by acclaimed journalist Robert Draper reveal Pope Francis' personal story, his journey to the papacy, and the heart of his ministry. Set against the beauty of time-honored ceremonies, wondrous art and architecture, and the lives of the faithful the world over, this stunning volume is a special portrait of a beloved pontiff and one of the world's most beloved institutions. |
georg ganswein new book: The Holy Eucharist- The World's Salvation Joseph De Sainte-Marie, 2015-05-05 The present book, originally published in French, and now in English with a new foreword by Dom Alcuin Reid OSB, is a splendid example ante litteram of the task of the Hermeneutic of Continuity so courageously undertaken by Pope Benedict XVI. Without calling for a change in the post-Conciliar discipline of the Latin Church, the author offers a complete and trenchant historical and dogmatic critique of the recent neglect of the individually celebrated Mass in favour of concelebration. The discipline of the church after Sacrosanctum Concilium, up until the 1982 Code of Canon Law and the General Instruction of the Roman Missal for the third edition of the Missal of Paul VI, has always asserted the freedom of priests to celebrate individually, yet the liturgical and theological atmosphere of seminaries and religious communities has rarely favoured this freedom. Here is a careful discussion of the value of the multiplication of celebrations of the Eucharist, in the light both of the nature of the Eucharistic Sacrifice itself and of the theology of its fruits. A meticulous study of the history of the practice of concelebration shows that the present practice of daily concelebration, especially among simple priests without their Ordinary presiding, far from being a return to an ancient norm, is in fact a new development. The author concludes with a carefully nuanced set of practical proposals which, while giving to concelebration its due place, would serve to make better use of the infinite riches contained in the Holy Sacrifice. This conclusion may be summed up by the ancient prayer over the gifts found in both forms of the Roman Mass and quoted in the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy of the Second Vatican Council: As often as the memorial of this Victim is celebrated, the work of our redemption is accomplished. May the careful examination of this beautifully reasoned study lead to a renewed sense of the efficacy of the Church's Offering and of its frequent and devout celebration by her priests. |
georg ganswein new book: Liturgical reflections of a papal master of ceremonies Guido Marini, 2011 |