Through his circular, Pope Benedict XVI had wanted to give a warning about the phenomenon of a world where religion was often misinterpreted and misused. Even God's name was sometimes used as justification for revenge.
By
LUKI AULIA, ALOYSIUS BUDI KURNIAWAN
·4 minutes read
AP PHOTO/ANTONIO CALANNI
People queue to see off late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI lied out in state inside St. Peter's Basilica at The Vatican where thousands went to pay their homage. Pope Benedict, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022. He was 95.
JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was buried on Thursday (1/5/2023). A simple but solemn requiem mass was led by Pope Francis and attended by at least 100,000 mourners who packed the field of Saint Peter’s Square in the Vatican.
"Benedict, hopefully your joy will be complete when you hear His voice. Now and forever," Francis said in a prayer. This mass was a rare occurrence. It was led by the Pope, who is still in power, for a pope who has died.
In Jakarta, before leading mass for the late Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo, Bishop of Jakarta's Archdiocese, said Benedict XVI was a gift for the Catholic Church and the world. In the encyclical Deus Caritas Est or God is Love, Benedict XVI had invited Catholic followers to build a culture of love.
The encyclical or circular of Deus Caritas Est was published by Benedict XVI on Dec. 25, 2005 in Rome. "Deus Caritas Est is a reflection of all his services as a pope. Pope Benedict was a very big gift for the Catholic Church in particular and the world in general," said Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo.
One sentence in the encyclical reads: In this world, where the name of God is sometimes associated with revenge or even an obligation to hatred and violence, the message is very actual and practical. According to Cardinal Suharyo, through his circular, Benedict XVI had wanted to give a warning about the phenomenon of a world where religion was often misinterpreted and misused. Even God's name was sometimes used as justification for revenge, spreading hatred and violence.
"For me, when Pope Benedict XVI said God is love, he, as a broad-minded person, understood his voice would not be heard by the world, which did not give a place to the culture of love. Even so, he said it continuously," said Cardinal Suharyo.
Another legendary encyclical that had been published by Benedict XVI is Caritas in Veritate or Love In Truth. This encyclical contains church concerns over socio-economic problems and world problems in general, including the social teachings of the church.
AFP/FILIPPO MONTEFORTE
The body of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI lies in state at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, on January 3, 2023. - Benedict, a conservative intellectual who in 2013 became the first pontiff in six centuries to resign, died on December 31, 2022, at the age of 95. Thousands of Catholics began paying their respects on January 2, 2023 to former pope Benedict XVI at St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, at the start of three days of lying-in-state before his funeral.
Theologian Pope
When he was young, Benedict XVI, whose real name was Joseph Ratzinger, had become a theologian expert in a time when the Catholic Church held the Second Vatican Council in 1962-1965. His influence on the issuance of the Vatican II Council documents was profound and became a milestone in the reform of the Catholic Church.
"Benedict was a pope with an academic background, a thinker, a lecturer and he became a cardinal who led the Holy Congregation in the teachings of faith. As a theologian, he wrote a lot of books, delivering lectures and homilies which became the treasures of church life," said Cardinal Suharyo.
The term of office of Benedict XVI as Pope had not been long. He led the Catholic Church for almost eight years from April 19, 2005 to Feb. 28, 2013.
His decision to abdicate in February 2013 invited public questioning, because never in history had it happened. Benedict XVI was named Pope Emeritus after Pope Francis was elected. "I am sure, behind the reason he resigned, it was not only because of health problems," said Cardinal Suharyo.
Cardinal Suharyo added that when Benedict XVI abdicated, as a believer and as a pope he realized that the world was developing very quickly. "In his position, he felt that he was unable to read the signs of the times and saw the world with its challenges needing other leaders. Then he abdicated because he hoped that there were others who could lead this Church in responding to the challenges of the times that were so quickly changing and needed the right leader," he said.
This was said clearly by Benedict XVI in his farewell speech as Pope. "After repeatedly examining my conscience before God, I come to the certainty that my strength is no longer in accordance with the demands of being a pope."
His decision to resign indirectly dismissed all notions that labeled him a conservative. With all his humility, he handed over the leadership of the World Catholic Church to his successor. (AP/AFP/REUTERS )
