Eichstätt (dpa / lby) – Eichstätt Bishop Gregor Maria Hanke has the deceased Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. appreciated. Gratitude for the life’s work of the “last great initiator and theologian of the Second Vatican Council” was mixed with the grief, Hanke said on Saturday.
The theological estate of Joseph Ratzinger had already found international distribution and high esteem during his lifetime and should “rank among the most important theological works in church history and his name should be mentioned in the same vein as the great spiritual authors of the past”. Through his writings, Benedict continued to work in the church, “which he loved, perhaps even more in the future than during his lifetime, when he had to experience a lot of opposition”. In addition, Pope Benedict has distinguished himself through modesty.
In the Eichstätt diocese, according to the information, a requiem will take place on Wednesday, January 4th at 7 p.m. in the Eichstätt Schutzengelkirche. There is a book of condolences on the side altar. On New Year’s Sunday, all church bells in the diocese should ring from 12:00 p.m. to 12:15 p.m.