Pope Benedict XVI and Asian Bishop Luis Tagle

Tweet

Pope Benedict XVI was popularly known as Theologian Joseph Ratzinger to theology students. He is most admired as a theologian. Most of his writings are considered radicals for they capture the theology of the times, reflecting most vividly what Christ had taught during His times. Some of Ratzinger's writings condemned the very sins of the contemporary world of a particular place, but humbly loved the sinners and worked for their transformation. He was considered by many as a progressive theologian who lived the essence and principles of liberation theology. Few years later, his many followers in theology were surprised by his arising to the seat of becoming cardinal. In this scenario, the radical tongue and writings of Ratzinger slowly die down. On one occasion, he was commissioned to silence a fellow theologian who followed his footsteps being radical and progressive. Few years more, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger took the seat of papacy. Same story is seen in the person of Fr. Luis Tagle, who was an ardent theologian teaching theology in Loyola School of Theology in Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines. A brilliant professor he is, many students are lured into his progressive teachings embodying in his person the very teachings of Christ himself - radical and progressive. He was always a guest in the Vatican to lecture the College of Bishops about the Dogma of Faith. He was always invited to join the Jesuits. The Vatican also wanted to ordain him a bishop. But he was firm in his reply, "to remain a priest and a theologian". Few years later, as I was once a student of then Fr. Luis Tagle, I was surprised that he accepted the bishopry of Cavite, Philippines. Later on, he was in the news to replace Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales as the Archbishop of Manila. Now, rumors are in the air that the Vatican is planning to ordain him to the CDF so that he will become legitimate to be nominated to the papacy. Brilliant and progressive theologians are always snatched by the Vatican by way of ordaining them to the hierarchy of the church to silence them from their advocacy. This is what many have seen. There might be other reasons for the likes of Ratzinger and Tagle, who fought for their theologies and advocacy and tried hard to stand to remain as theologians, to accept the challenge to be ordained as bishops....that remains to be told..