Pope Benedict XVI: The Complex Legacy He Leaves Behind to Catholics

Pope Benedict XVI, formerly known as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany, was finally laid to rest in the Vatican on Thursday, with his successor, Pope Francis, overseeing his funeral rites.

The former pope, who chose to be known as "pope emeritus" upon his resignation, left behind a somewhat checkered history.

His teachings are still being taught to millions of Catholics, while critics say he did not do enough about pedophile priests.

Cardinal Wilton Gregory, the archbishop of Washington, spoke to Vatican News about the late pope emeritus' legacy.

He compared Pope Benedict XVI to his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, who was already canonized as a saint.

He noted that while Saint John Paul II was a missionary pope flying around the world to spread the Word of God, Pope Benedict XVI was a scholar who was a good teacher and a good listener, as he always listened.

The archbishop added that the late pope emeritus was always engaging and never put off by challenging questions.

Pope Benedict XVI changed how the Roman Catholic Church was run and even famously changed a few traditional prayers like the Apostle's Creed. That may be his lasting impact, as he changed much in the Church's organization.

Sex Abuse by Clergy Hounded Pope Benedict XVI

Pope Benedict XVI was a more traditional pope than his predecessor and successor, who were more active in engaging in events outside the Church.

However, one matter kept hounding the late pope emeritus's 8-year tenure as the Archbishop of Rome, which is about sexual predators in the priesthood.

As the Archbishop of Munich, Cardinal Ratzinger ran the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF), which directly dealt with sex abuse by priests.

David Gibson, the director of the Center on Religion and Culture at Fordham University, told NBC News that the late pope had an "inside view of what was going on."

Because of his office, Benedict knew how bad it was, but Gibson noted that "he had such a high view of the priesthood, and that affected his judgment."

Benedict did go after many of these sexual predators, and as pope, more than his predecessors. He also apologized on behalf of the Church, but critics say his apologies were too little, too late.

There were also those outside the Church who defended him, saying that his portrayal was too harsh and did not show how much good the former Cardinal Ratzinger did at the CDF in fighting sex abuse by priests.

Pope Benedict XVI Seen to Become a Doctor of the Church After His Death

In the end, Pope Benedict XVI's legacy will be as a theologian rather than as a missionary like Saint John Paul II or a man of the people like Pope Francis.

He was so respected in theological circles that the late pope may be named a doctor of the church one day.

Doctors of the Church are recognized as saints who have made a significant contribution to theology.

Tracey Rowland, the St. John Paul II Chair of Theology at the University of Notre Dame Australia, thinks he would qualify as one.

She told the National Catholic Reporter that Pope Benedict XVI defended the faith against "the social theories of the New Left."

And while the world around him changed, the late pope stuck to his beliefs but still knew what needed to be done.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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