New Pope

[Cincy'sMom]

When I heard at lunch today an older Pope had been elected, my first thought was they were looking for someone "short-term". I don't know anything about the new Pope, although many inthe US thought John Paul II was too conservative...and this guy is more so? Should be interesting!

[joycenalex]

the hitler youth stuff and the slap at victims of the priest/sex abusers bother me alot. barbara, can you give me any direction on where to read up on that issue?

[Lady's Human]

Find me someone who survived in Bavaria during WW2 who WASN'T a member of the Hitler Youth. The Hitler youth was hardly the Schutzstaffel (SS). Also on that count, Remember, Saul was transformed on the road to damascus from Saul the Christian persecutor to Paul, who spread the gospel far and wide.

[janelle]

I think the Hitler Youth thing was mandatory. He deserted when he was in the Army so that was good judgement at a young age. He didn't want to fight for the Natzis.

Catholics also believe the Holy Spirit helps the cardinals pick the next pope with prayer and meditation. They do have divine help. This is a faith thing so you believe it or not.

He has a similar background and John Paul. In Europe during WW11. They experienced the same Hitler government. That would form there conservative theology.

[Kirsten]

Originally posted by Lady's Human
Find me someone who survived in Bavaria during WW2 who WASN'T a member of the Hitler Youth. The Hitler youth was hardly the Schutzstaffel (SS). Also on that count, Remember, Saul was transformed on the road to damascus from Saul the Christian persecutor to Paul, who spread the gospel far and wide.

Exactly. In those dark years (1933-1945), I think almost every boy was part of the Hitler Jugend, as people who refused to join (or let their children join) were on high risk to face the consequences. Well, that's the nature of dictatorship, I guess...

As they reported here, Ratzinger later (before WW2 has ended) turned away from Hitler's system, and didn't agree with him and his politics.

Kirsten

[Barbara]

Originally posted by Lady's Human
Find me someone who survived in Bavaria during WW2 who WASN'T a member of the Hitler Youth. The Hitler youth was hardly the Schutzstaffel (SS). Also on that count, Remember, Saul was transformed on the road to damascus from Saul the Christian persecutor to Paul, who spread the gospel far and wide.

I do not have detailed information about Ratzinger's membership in Hitler youth but I have been a little surprised when I heard it.

Membership in Hitler youth was something you could avoid. I know it because my husband "survived in Bavaria during WW2". He is born in 1935 and he was never a member. Why? Because his family was very very catholic and his parents didn't trust Hitler. Some of the Hitler rituals had to be seen rather in opposition to the church (as the communist youth rituals in former GDR later) and his parents didn't like that.

He says that the consequences were some bullying and one time a stone in the window- but not more. It would have been different if he was older and would not have wanted to go to war- the consequence would have been the death sentence- but not the Hitler youth thing.

On the other hand I think many young people were just in because you did it. If Ratzinger had not been in you could know he was in the active opposition. While he was a member, this information alone is not enough to judge whether he shared nazi thoughts.

[joycenalex]

i googled hitler youth and john ratzinger. on guardian.co.uk and libertypost.org, one british liberal newspaper and one american conserative site,(an opinion site or a webblog? ) both mention his time in the hitler youth. {disclaimer i did not, nor will i spend a great deal of time on reading anymore about this information} the libertypost.org site also mention his working near dachau inmates in 1943 and that he saw hungarian jews being loaded up to be sent to death camps. while his father was a police officer who refused to join the nazi party, the new popes' past behavior does make me feel uneasy. john paul 2 was in the resistance , benedict 16 was a member of hitler youth. this does make me feel very uncomfortable .

[Barbara]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/pope/story...463902,00.html

Thanks Joycenalex- here is the link to the Guardian's story. I did not know he deserted. That for sure was a dangerous thing for him to do. During his development in the church hierarchy Ratzinger has shown himself as being highly intellectual and highly conservative - it depends on your personal opinion whether you welcome that or you rather don't.

[Luvin Labs]

Originally posted by joycenalex
the hitler youth stuff and the slap at victims of the priest/sex abusers bother me alot. barbara, can you give me any direction on where to read up on that issue?

I heard about the hitler youth stuff (which was mandatory), but not about the 'slap at victims of the priest/sex abusers' part... any link for me about the details of that?

Dang, I was hoping that this new pope would lay the smackdown on the molesting priests.

[joycenalex]

there were posts on catholicherald.com a march 2004 story and an abcnews.com april26,, the site isn't clear if the year is 2004 or 2005. "googling" someone is very informative.