Pope's brother says criticism of pope signals 'good pontificate'

Published: 2007-08-21

PASSAU, Germany (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI's elder brother said criticism of the pope should be expected as the sign of a good pontificate and that recent controversies showed papal leadership could not be "all peace, joy and pancakes." "I'm mainly concerned that the new situation will work well for my brother in relation to his faith, and I can witness that he's fulfilling what the good Lord expects of him and also being understood by many people," Msgr. Georg Ratzinger said in an Aug. 17 interview with Bavaria's Passauer Neuen Presse daily. Msgr. Ratzinger said he had contacts "only with people who wish me and my brother well," adding that "negative voices" reached him "through detours, when they've already been purified and don't hurt me anymore." He said he was aware of recent controversies, such as debate over the pope's July 7 document allowing wider use of the Tridentine Mass, the liturgy that predates the Second Vatican Council, and a July 10 Vatican declaration that the Catholic Church is the one, true church. "These critical voices were to be expected -- if everything went smoothly, it wouldn't be a good pontificate," Msgr. Ratzinger said.

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