Centrecare expresses its sadness at the passing of Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI. His intellectual prowess and adherence to his faith was informed by a calm sensitivity expressed in Pope Francis’ description of him as both “kind and gentle.”
His papacy was the first to begin the difficult and important acknowledgement of the harm done by clerical child abuse and to recognise the need for substantial changes to Church institutions and behaviour. He accepted that in this area mistakes were made.
Benedict XVI will be remembered for his willingness to reach out to others. In his message to Pope Francis on the death of Benedict, King Charles III highlighted the former Pope’s “…constant efforts to promote peace and goodwill to all people.”
Benedict XVI’s first encyclical was entitled God Is Love. In its introduction he states, “I wish in my first Encyclical to speak of the love which God lavishes upon us and which we in turn must share with others.”
(Photo Attribution - Pope_Benedict_XVI_Blessing.jpg: Rvin88derivative work: Jüppsche, CC BY 3.0 <;, via Wikimedia Commons)