The Trial of Pope Benedict: Joseph Ratzinger and the Vatican's Assault on Reason, Compassion, and Human Dignity

by Daniel Gawthrop

On February 28, 2013, Benedict XVI became the first pope in nearly six hundred years to resign. In doing so, Joseph Ratzinger, the man who became Benedict, also relinquished a controversial religious career in which he was largely responsible for the Catholic Church's prodigious his scorched-earth assault on modernity and the world of ideas destroyed any hope of progress in the Church while leaving a trail of shattered lives in its wake. In this persuasive new book, Daniel Gawthrop argues that Ratzinger must not be allowed diplomatic immunity from the abuse scandals that have rocked the Vatican. Gawthrop not only accuses Ratzinger of quitting to avoid potential prosecution, but also indicts him for promoting a toxic theology whose destructive impact can be felt far beyond the Church. In doing so, the book examines Ratzinger's career in all its infamy, from his medieval understanding of women and demonization of homosexuality to his war on liberation theology. It also offers insight into Ratzinger's successor, Pope Francis I, and provocative ideas on how the Church can transform itself, thereby restoring the faith of its followers. During his eight years as pope, Ratzinger attempted to rebrand himself from "God's Rottweiler" to Prince of Peace. The Trial of Pope Benedict reveals the true Ratzinger, in the process telling one of recent history's most astonishing tales of institutional power, religious bullying, and systemic abuse. Daniel Gawthrop is the author of four previous books and is a self-proclaimed "lapsed Catholic" who has written extensively on the subject.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, History, Biography

315 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Regina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not Catholic. In fact, I'm not religious at all. But the Catholic church and Pope Benedict have both had a huge impact on everyone on the planet. The impact has been specially hard for women, LGBT and children. The book was fascinating. I have hope that the Catholic church will take a turn with Pope Francis, but I won't hold my breath.

[Melinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy through Goodreads.
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I have to point out that this type of genre (religion and current affairs) is not part of my usual reads. However, I found this book to be rather fascinating and intriguing for the most part.

I admit the majority of the theologies and what not went over my head. The rest of the information that was written was very convincing and persuasive in presenting Pope Benedict XVI as a tyrant and bully to some extent. For a large chunk of the book, I was so convinced that Benedict seems to be serving himself and his ideas and was constantly 'attacking' everyone else with a remote thread of credibility in the Catholic Church or theology.

I do question the epilogue and the chapter before that where Benedict is portrayed as an old man who stood on trial for all that he had a hand in. It felt like a complete turn around from the pursuit of the author to persuade the audience that Benedict is a very controversial and tyrannical pope (to a certain extent).

The path to the papal throne is an interesting one for Benedict. Although, near the end it felt like he was being pushed to stand as a scapegoat of sorts, not that he is innocent of certain dealings nor was he as devious as he is made out to be. After all it takes a lot of people to make things happen the way it did (i.e., cover ups, etc).

I don't really have a strong liking towards the Catholic Church, but after reading this book and hearing all the stories of sexual abuse and what not makes me not a fan of the church even more. Also I do wonder how the Vatican is able to end up with so much power (becoming independent state, sitting in at the UN, etc).

Overall, a very interesting read.

[Shona Thomson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Trial of Pope Benedict by Daniel Gawthrop.

I became totally involved in reading this book. The story of how Joseph Ratzinger who became Pope Benedict made sure that most of the effects of Vatican II never came to pass, makes chilling reading.
As an ex Catholic person who lived through all the changes from Vatican II that never happened, so to speak, I could see the effect that had on so many lives over the decades since the 60s.
The title of the book says it all, the writer acknowledges his references well, and for me the fact that Pope John Paul II was also involved in most of this as well wasn't too surprising.
This book made me think, and I have to wonder what their founder would have thought of the obsessive intellectual approach to religion, rather than the human caring approach. The writer also pointed out that there is no logic behind some of the decisions that they made, they contradict themselves, with awful consequences.
Well done to the author.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author attempts to indict Pope Benedict and the Catholic Church for a multitude of perceived social injustices. A homosexual ex-Catholic, he blames Benedict for sex abuse by Church officials, a lack of support for the women's movements, and lack of support for his lifestyle choices. Which the bibliography is extensive, much is antidotal. He makes references to the pope's political evolution. While complaints are legitimate, his personal views ignore that the same problems exist in the Protestant and other faiths and should be addressed. I feel that there is a lack of objectivity as the book turns into a personal attack.

[Ampersand Inc. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ali says:
Although there isn't a lot of new information in this book, it's fascinating. Gawthrop is a really excellent writer, and I found myself completely absorbed in this book for an entire flight from Toronto. Really this book is a fascinating history of the papcy for the last 50 years.

Mark says:
Definitely worth reading, super informative and opinionated. (4 stars)

[Rod · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a non-catholic, and atheist, the author kept me interested, through much of the infra-church politics and intrigue. It is a well written expose of the villainy, hypocrisy, and crimes of Ratzinger. I recommend it.

[Stan Fleetwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good and interesting book. The author, Daniel Gawthrop, has a very intense dislike for the former head of the Inquisition and pope, and with some good reason, if the book is to be believed.