More Popery

In addition to taking a backwards step by naming a theological conservative to the papacy, the church also will have to answer questions regarding the newly infallible one's Nazi ties. It appears in the above linked article that Ratzinger was not an enthusiastic collaborator. His involvement in the Hitler Youth was compulsory. He was conscripted into the army and eventually deserted. On the other hand, there is nothing here that looks particularly inspiring.. at least not in the vein of what one would expect of a pope whose supposed strong suit is his moral certitude. This bit, in fact, seems almost Clintonian.

Two years later Ratzinger was enrolled in an anti-aircraft unit that protected a BMW factory making aircraft engines. The workforce included slaves from Dachau concentration camp.

Ratzinger has insisted he never took part in combat or fired a shot — adding that his gun was not even loaded — because of a badly infected finger. He was sent to Hungary, where he set up tank traps and saw Jews being herded to death camps. He deserted in April 1944 and spent a few weeks in a prisoner of war camp.

Look,if your nickname is "God's Rotweiller" you may not be the best available ambassador for Peace on Earth.

Note: Blogger spellcheck seems to agree with me as it suggests replacing "Ratzinger" with "reticence"