Kung v. Ratzinger by Samuel Gregg

[SouthpawLink]

If I'm not mistaken (and I haven't read the book), he merely quotes someone who is saying that, neither approvingly or disapprovingly. It seems context would be especially important if we're leveling such a serious charge against the Holy Father, no?

I'm not of the same mind as Benedict XVI in that I do prefer scholasticism. He doesn't. You don't have to, though the Church does have a preference for it. I just have a real problem with throwing charges against him based on how the secular media has framed something he has said. They've proven that they don't deserve that degree of trust.

I do not think the Church merely prefers Scholastic theology (and philosophy).  Pope Pius XII called Scholastic philosophy "our traditional philosophy ... our perennial philosophy," as though it were the Church's own philosophy (Humani Generis, n. 32).  Pope Pius XI explicitly stated, "the Church has adopted [St. Thomas'] philosophy for her own, as innumerable documents of every kind attest" (Studiorum Ducem, n. 11).  Other Pontiffs who gave such praise to Scholastic theology and philosophy -- or staunchly defended it -- are Sixtus V*, Clement IX, Ven. Pius IX, Leo XIII**, St. Pius X*** and Benedict XV.  For a list of papal approbations towards Scholasticism, go here: http://www2.nd.edu/Departments/Maritain/...homas6.htm

* See: http://www.papalencyclicals.net/Sixtus05/Triumph.htm

** See: http://www.papalencyclicals.net/Leo13/l13cph.htm

*** See: http://maritain.nd.edu/jmc/etext/doctoris.htm

[Prie dieu]

Scholasticism should remain the preferred method of theology and philosophy in the Latin Church.  But you cannot apply it to the Church Universal because the Eastern Churches that are in full communion with Rome have a quite valid non-scholastic theological heritage.

[Augstine Baker]

The Church doesn't just prefer scholasticism, it demands it.  A substantial part of the problems we're facing is a direct result of the nouveau theologie embraced by the neo-cats.  We must return to that grindstone if we expect to restore the Church.