The letter released Thursday in which Pope Benedict XVI admitted that the Vatican had made “mistakes” in handling the case of a Holocaust-denying bishop was unprecedented in its directness, its humanity and its acknowledgment of papal fallibility.
But it also contained two sentences unique in the annals of church history.
“I have been told that consulting the information available on the Internet would have made it possible to perceive the problem early on,” Benedict wrote. “I have learned the lesson that in the future in the Holy See we will have to pay greater attention to that source of news.”
In other words: “Note to the Roman Curia: try Google.”
But the letter of the Pope was not about Internet…
Antonio, of course it wasn’t. But the NYT loves to sneer at the Pope and the Catholic Church. Notice how they present this issue as though the Pope has now admited fallibility in contrast to the teaching of infallibility. Never noting the actual definition of infallibility which has nothing to do with the Pope’s ability to predict public and press reaction to his decisions. So they let it seem as if finally the Pope is caving into some modern thinking and will soon be dusting off the ban on women priests, birth control and the blessing of same sex unions. Thanks of course to the folks at NYT and other media mavens.
Were I the Pope, I would have said “I’ll make you a deal, I’ll check my information with Google if you’ll check your information with Augustine, Aquinas, et al.”
I’m pretty sure that the Internet will be used by Benedict XVI and his staff to be more effectively in the world while not being part of the world, no doubt much to the annoyance and consternation of the NYT and others.