Cardinal Ruini: John Paul II was not a Conservative

John Paul II was not a conservative, He welcomed the Second Vatican Council, which was the top grace of the 20th century for him," said Cardinal Camillo Ruini. In an interview with the paper "Corriere della Sera" on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the reception of priestly ordination on 8 December, the erstwhile vicar of the pope for the Roman diocese (1991 – 2008) and for 16 years the president of the Italian Bishop's Conference spoke, among others, about his relations with subsequent popes.

Recalling his first encounter with John Paul II, he revealed that in the autumn of 1984 he was invited to dinner at the Vatican. The Pope wanted to talk about the situation at the Italian Bishop's Conference and the forthcoming legislature of the Church in Italy, which was to take place in Loreto the following year. – The direction of the episcopal direction, to which I did not belong, was not precisely like John Paul II. Similarly, in the case of the Loretian Congress, which I belonged to – said the aged purple. Therefore, the Pope asked for honest answers, which were not hidden in problems, so that "he could come to the legislature prepared, knowing what to say and what to say." – So a deep bond was born that lasted until his death – indicated the card. Ruini.

When asked if the pope understood in terms of “we” and “they” with respect to communists, the hierarch indicated that “John Paul II knew real communism well” and did not think it would be possible to communicate with him. – Although he was hard on communists, he was not a conservative. He welcomed the Council with joy. For him, the Council was the top grace of the 20th century. – emphasized the hierarch. The Holy Father besides had "the authentic worship of Paul VI, Pope of the Council".

In turn, in CdS's opinion, "Benedict XVI did not feel comfortable in the applicable management of the Church and was the first to recognise this restriction". But “with his teaching and prayer he has done a large deal of good for the Church and society.”

The justice cardinal admitted that he had no akin relation with Pope Francis as with 2 of his predecessors. – When Bergoglio was elected, I was 82 years old, I was retired. Besides, I did not have a spontaneous sound with him, which active me with John Paul II and Benedict XVI. But I am not in any way hostile to Pope Francis. And I disagree with those who see nothing good in his pontificate, or even question his legality. – stressed the erstwhile head of the Italian Episcopal.

When asked how the Church pictured in the future, cardinal. Ruini admitted that he was always “a supporter of the folk church”, but now he sees it shrinking quickly. So he hopes that " Benedict XVI's intuition of creative minorities will be fulfilled, which become a beginning in a Christian society".

At the same time, he warned against a purely defensive attitude that condemns failure and is wrong. religion “must be proposed”. – And to witness. This is our job. In Italy, in Europe, there is adequate area for this. Think of this tiny group of Catholics in Scandinavia, under the leadership of large bishops, making large advancement in a planet where the Lutheran Church is in a full crisis – he noted. – John Paul II and I were convinced that the crisis of Protestantism, as well as of any kind of Catholicism, was due to pastoral errors. But the fact that it is now entering a country like Italy means that the crisis is deeper. due to the fact that we have not made pastoral mistakes, unless marginal – says 94-year-old purple.

Cardinal Ruini presided over the committee investigating alleged apparitions in Medjugorje. In his opinion, the first were the ones in which “Our woman truly spoke.” – And as for the others, I hold my judgment. said the Italian hierarch.

Sources: KAI / corriere.it, pb

RoM