New Pope is a former Hitler Youth...?

[Moooooo]

Unknown to many members of the church, however, Ratzinger’s past includes brief membership of the Hitler Youth movement and wartime service with a German army anti- aircraft unit.

Although there is no suggestion that he was involved in any atrocities, his service may be contrasted by opponents with the attitude of John Paul II, who took part in anti-Nazi theatre performances in his native Poland and in 1986 became the first pope to visit Rome’s synagogue.

“John Paul was hugely appreciated for what he did for and with the Jewish people,” said Lord Janner, head of the Holocaust Education Trust, who is due to attend ceremonies today to mark the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2089-1572667,00.html

[Blue Rectangle]

Ratzinger is known as an opponent to moral relativism, but he may unintentionally become a benefit to that cause.  More than a few liberal Catholics will use the argument, "The Church can't tell me what to do because the Pope was a Nazi!"

[Middle-aged Europe]

I´m not such a fan of Ratzinger, but as it is already mentioned in the article, membership in the Hitler Youth was compulsory. When you reached the age of 14 you became automatically a member. About 99% of all male (and non-jewish) Germans in Ratzinger´s age were in the Hitler Youth. So, big deal.
I am a former member of the communist Jungpionier movement in East Germany. And it isn´t exactly so that I had much choice. When you reached the required age you simply became a member.

About his time in the military I can only say that this was the period of the war when Goebbels´ declared "the total war" and when they started to draft about everyone... any male over the ages of 16 and 60. You either had the choice to serve in the army, to get shot for treason or to go AWOL (with the possibility of getting captured and being shot for treason).

[patrick1]

I´m not such a fan of Ratzinger, but as it is already mentioned in the article, membership in the Hitler Youth was compulsory. When you reached the age of 14 you became automatically a member. About 99% of all male (and non-jewish) Germans in Ratzinger´s age were in the Hitler Youth. So, big deal.
I am a former member of the communist Jungpionier movement in East Germany. And it isn´t exactly so that I had much choice. When you reached the required age you simply became a member.

About his time in the military I can only say that this was the period of the war when Goebbels´ declared "the total war" and when they started to draft about everyone... any male over the ages of 16 and 60. You either had the choice to serve in the army, to get shot for treason or to go AWOL (with the possibility of getting captured and being shot for treason).

Thank you for the insightful post.

[David S]

Sounds like the pope's involvement is what Old Eurpoe suggests, but why not pick someone who was not involved in any way.

[TeePee4Prez]

Ratzinger was elected because he is a "moral enforcer" of Church doctrine.

[Wakie]

Ratzinger was elected because he is a "moral enforcer" of Church doctrine.

And he's a "safe" choice.  He was close to JP II so it can be said that the Cardinals are just trying for "continuity".  At the same time Ratzinger is 78 and will probably only last 8-10 years at most.  He won't leave nearly the same kind of stamp on the church as JP.

[Middle-aged Europe]

The Wikipedia entry on Ratzinger/Benedict seems to confirm my assumption:

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Still, I would have wished a reformer or some non-European as the new Pope.

[TeePee4Prez]

The Wikipedia entry on Ratzinger/Benedict seems to confirm my assumption:

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Still, I would have wished a reformist or some non-European as the new Pope.

Well, I think it should have been a Latin American.  I would not want another Italian.  Sorry Phil!

[Keystone Phil]

The Wikipedia entry on Ratzinger/Benedict seems to confirm my assumption:

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Still, I would have wished a reformist or some non-European as the new Pope.

Well, I think it should have been a Latin American.  I would not want another Italian.  Sorry Phil!

Atleast there is no Irishman as Pope.... 

The next one will definetley be from South/Central America or Africa.

[riceowl]

Yeah, I was about to quote the Wikipedia too...

but he's Bavarian, like me!

So...while he's not my #1 choice, I should think we'd let his actions decide our opinions...

[Blue Rectangle]

I think I'll lighten things up with a DU quote:

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[Gabu]

I think I'll lighten things up with a DU quote:

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Did Ratzinger steal Utah?

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

The church didn't oppose the Nazis.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Hitler hated Catholics, too. It was only a matter of time before he damned them to the same fate as the Jews.

Why? A Catholic party gave him their full support with the Enabling Act.

[Keystone Phil]

The church didn't oppose the Nazis.

And there have been apologizes for that.

[Blue Rectangle]

The church didn't oppose the Nazis.

The Church didn't support the Nazis.

Hey, check it out:  I too can write a one-sentence-long gross over-simplication of a complex political situation.

[Blue Rectangle]

I think I'll lighten things up with a DU quote:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Did Ratzinger steal Utah?

Another:

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At times, DU is better political satire than The Onion.

[opebo]

The church didn't oppose the Nazis.

The Church didn't support the Nazis.

Hey, check it out:  I too can write a one-sentence-long gross over-simplication of a complex political situation.

Yes, they supported the Nazis.

[Gabu]

Another:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

At times, DU is better political satire than The Onion.

One question I have: why would Bush care one way or another regarding who the pope is?

[patrick1]

The church didn't oppose the Nazis.

The Church didn't support the Nazis.

Hey, check it out:  I too can write a one-sentence-long gross over-simplication of a complex political situation.

Yes, they supported the Nazis.

I always find it ironic when you of all people make historical moral judgements.

[Jake]

Another:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

At times, DU is better political satire than The Onion.

One question I have: why would Bush care one way or another regarding who the pope is?

Especially when Ratzinger was just as opposed as JP II to the Iraq War.

[opebo]

Another:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

At times, DU is better political satire than The Onion.

One question I have: why would Bush care one way or another regarding who the pope is?

Well the Catholic Church is one of the pillars of conservative social  control in the world - fighting sex, hedonism, freedom, secularism, science, etc.  So it is one of his natural allies.  An 'ex'-Nazi like Ratzinger is ideal.

[opebo]

The church didn't oppose the Nazis.

The Church didn't support the Nazis.

Hey, check it out:  I too can write a one-sentence-long gross over-simplication of a complex political situation.

Yes, they supported the Nazis.

I always find it ironic when you of all people make historical moral judgements.

It isn't a 'moral' judgement, it is a salient political fact.  The Nazis, and other traditional values organizations like the Catholic and protestant churches are all very similar forces of social control.

[AuH2O]

Please produce better lies than claiming the Catholic Center Party supported Hitler. Make them lies at least some people would be dumb enough to believe, well, aside from your communist-addled selves.