Tullamore bishop writes new book on late Pope Benedict

Tullamore native Bishop Fintan Monahan, who is Bishop of Killaloe which covers parts of South Offaly, has launched a book on the life and work of the late Pope Benedict XVI.

Speaking about writing the newly released book, 'His Homeward Journey; The Life and Works of Pope Benedict XVI', Bishop Monahan said this week: “When asked to pen a short publication on the great man, I readily accepted the invitation as I had been a keen follower of his writings for many decades.

"As a young student and up to the present, I read with great interest his many theological and spiritual works.

"Even as Pope, he continued to write and his trilogy of books on Jesus is regarded as a classic of the genre and I believe will stand the test of time for many generations to come."

The book, which is just over seventy pages, touches on the life, personality, main works, papacy and retirement of the late Pope. It takes a brief look at his family background, influences, the milieu of World War II and his compulsory conscription into the Hitler Youth Movement.

Bishop Monahan wrote the book in response to a request from Veritas to write a short publication giving a reflection on the late Pope, who died on December 31 last.

Bishop Monahan added: "He wrote about 60 books and I'd been collecting them for many years. It was just a matter of picking out what his most popular ones were.

After reading some biographies about Pope Benedict XVI, Bishop Monahan worked out different sections for the book such as the introduction, the basic history of the Pope's life, his time as a professor, as a theologian and as pope. He also discusses the controversial issues during Pope Benedict's time as Pope and what he will be remembered for.

Bishop Monahan, who is an accomplished author, has already written three books about St John Henry Newman, Thomas Martin and CS Lewis.

The Ennis-based Bishop has always loved writing and it was really during Covid that he had that extra time.

"Prior to Covid, you'd be on the road all the time between confirmations and parish meetings. There was about two years there where there was a bit of peace to be able to do that sort of stuff (writing.) I've another one or two (books) in mind but it's getting harder and harder to get the time to do that"

Describing the new book, Bishop Monahan continued: "It's a light introduction. It suits anyone that had some knowledge of him (Pope Benedict XVI) and also people that had no idea of him at all. It just goes through what was his past, his work as a professor, as head of the Congregation of Faith as Pope and what were the issues that he was passionate about."

The book concentrates on to the late Pope's time as Archbishop of Munich from 1977 to being created Cardinal and onwards to being Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine and the Faith (CDF) where he was catapulted to international prominence. Towards the end of his years in the CDF, being in his mid and late 70’s, Ratzinger made some attempts to retire and return to his native Bavaria. He hoped to resume a solitary, peaceful life of reading and study.

“Being Dean of the College of Cardinals at the time of the funeral of Pope John Paul, Ratzinger was very much to the fore, being celebrant of the funeral liturgy and despite his senior years, there was perhaps little surprise when he was elected Pope on April 19th, 2005, assuming the name Benedict XVI,” he explained.

The book examines Pope Benedict XVI who was also known as Joseph Ratzinger's time as Pope until his surprise resignation in February 2013. “The Papacy of Benedict was not without controversy. According to perception he turned the full circle from being liberal in his views to a more traditional approach. His dealing with some theologians, women, LGBT issues, safeguarding, inter-religious dialogue and liturgical matters led to areas of conflict with some on a number of occasions.”

“He (Pope Benedict XVI) varied in style and personality to John Paul and also to his successor, Francis. It has been said that one went to see both John Paul and Francis, but one went to hear and listen to Benedict. Raniero Cantalamessa, the preacher in the Papal Household summing up the three popes that he served described John Paul as the Cosmopolitan, Benedict being the Theologian and Francis being the Pastor.

“Benedict, despite the aura of remoteness and austerity that surrounded him was a gentle, kind, shy, unassuming, welcoming person and all of that is accounted for in this publication,” concluded Bishop Monahan.

His Homeward Journey; The Life and Works of Pope Benedict XVI is now available in local books shops, religious book shops and from the publishers, Veritas directly.