Figure 1.--Here we see the Raztinger family in the lare 1930s. I mnot sure precisely when it was taken, but proably around 1938. Joswph is the younger boy at the left.
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Figure 1.--Here we see the Raztinger family in the lare 1930s. I mnot sure precisely when it was taken, but proably around 1938. Joswph is the younger boy at the left. |
The College of Cardinals chose Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger to replace John Paul II. Cardinal Ratzinger chose his papal name to be Benedict XVI. Cardinal Ratzinger was a close associate of John Paul II. The commentary on his selection have generally focused on his conservatism. He is the First German pope in about 1,000 years. Both Pope Benedict and John Paul were caught up in World war II, but being from Germany and Poland their experiences were very different. Joseph's childhood experiences in his native Bavaria are very interesting and we do not yet have the complete account.
Joseph's father was a policeman and a devout Catholic. He disliked Hitler and the NAZIs. We have no information at this time on how he handled this conflict.
His older brother was Georg and their sister was Maria, named after theur mother.
Joseph was born in 1927 at the small Bavarian village of Marktl am Inn. Joseph and his older brother and sister grewcup in a farm house on the ouskirts of Traustein, a small town at the base of the Bavarian Alps. The Ratzinger's moved several times. There most settled period was 6 years in Traustein when the boys began attending St. Michael's Seminary. This was a stringly Catholic area of Germany. Close by is the Ettendorfer Church with the annual celebration where the local priest blesses farm animals on the Monday after Easter. Vardinat Ratzinger in one of his several books writes how as a boy he was deeply moved by the rituals of the Catholic Church.
German children at age 10 was enducted into the Hitler Youth. It was virtually compulsory at the time. Apparently Ratzinger did join when he should have in 1937. Ratzinger writes that he was forced to join aganst his will (1941). He says that he never attended any meetings. [Allen]
Joseph and his brother were enrolled in St. Michael's Seminary, about a half hour walk from their home across Traustein. It was here and at home that the future pope's conservative, traditional outlook was shaped. Both boys were excellent if not brilliant students. Joseph ws frailer than his brother and hated sports. He also disliked the corporal punishment used at the strict school. One classmate describes the school as rather like an English boarding school. The scchool closed during the War (1941). It was turned into a military hospital.
Joseph served in an anti-aircraft unit. I think this might havee been in connection with the Hitler Youth. When the Seminary was closed, I am not surewhat happened to the boys. Joseph for a time served in a labor brigade and was ecentually inscripted into the army. He deserted and surendered to the Americans in the final weeks of the War. As soon as he was released after the war, he returned home to cintinue his studies at the Seminary.
Allen, John L. Jr., Cardinal Ratzinger: The Vatican's Ebforcer of the Faith.
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