The theologian Joseph Ratzinger at Vatican II. His theological vision and role

Description

Summary

The collaboration of the theologian Joseph Ratzinger/Pope Benedict XVI with Cardinal Josef Frings on the eve of and during the Second Vatican Council is the topic of this article. An analysis of Frings’ personal archive and other available documents permits assembling a rich mosaic bringing to light Ratzinger’s role in and contributions to this Council. His Christocentric theological vision comes to the fore. In hindsight the combination of the preeminent position of the Archdiocese of Cologne within the global Church, the methodological-strategic approach of Frings and the theological acumen of Ratzinger must be considered singularly felicitous. One cannot fully appreciate such central conciliar documents as Dei Verbum, Lumen Gentium, and Ad Gentes, but also Unitatis Redintegratio, Gaudium et Spes and Dignitatis Humanae without bearing in mind the theological vision of one of their single most important contributors: Joseph Ratzinger. This study permits a threefold conclusion: 1. Ratzinger wants to liberate theology from an intellectualistic approach – revelation is a Thou: Jesus Christ, 2. Believing requires acquiring a Marian disposition, and 3. Far from an institution, the Church is for Ratzinger first and foremost the Christ-filled realm.