The Pope and the Scientists

Kind of a "part II" to my last blog on the intolerance of those claiming to be free-thinkers, yet would protest against the free thoughts of others.

The following article is from Ignatius Press blog. It includes links to the 1990 speech of Cardinal Ratzinger which was found so offensive by the students and "academics" of La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.

I read Cardinal Ratzinger's speech. Seems to me the "academics" at La Sapienza University need more "schoolin," as it appears that by focusing on a quote apart from the clear context, they were totally mistaken regarding Cardinal Raztinger's view.

The Ignatius Press Blog also includes a link to the address Pope Benedict was intending to give at the University. It was instead read publically by the rector of the University and received a standing ovation. The rector has extended another invitation to Pope Benedict to speak at the university.

Thursday, January 17, 2008.

The Pope and the Scientists

UPDATE #2: Father Raymond De Souza, in a column about the incident, writes: "Benedict played the situation masterfully. Had he gone, the story would have been about the rude protesters. In declining to appear before such ill-behaved supposed scholars, he focused attention on their closedmindedness. Yesterday, the entire Italian cultural and political establishment rose as one and denounced the professors and the students. Italian President Giorgio Napolitano sent Benedict a letter of support denouncing the “manifestations of intolerance” as “inadmissible” in a university dedicated to free inquiry." Read the entire column.

UPDATE #1: The entire translated text of Pope Benedict's speech meant to be given at "La Sapienza" University is available from Asia News.

Vatican Information Services has excerpts from a letter sent by "Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B., yesterday ... to the rector of Rome's "La Sapienza" University, explaining the reasons for which the Pope will not participate in today's ceremony for the inauguration of that institution's academic year." It also contains parts of Benedict XVI's undelivered speech... [see MORE]

God bless,

Dave