If what I am about to say does not start off or provoke any discussion, I don't know what will!
I realize not everyone on this Forum may look kindly on Georg Gaenswein,
but seeing this delightful photo by Paoly12 from last Sunday's Angelus
reminded me I had not really commented on the interview that Gaenswein gave Peter Seewald for
Sueddeutsche Zeitung. Which I thought very valuable for what it shows the reader about GG himself and, more importantly, how he perceives this Pontificate from his intrinsically privileged point of view.
Since then, there has been criticism - some, but not the typical reaction - that GG spoke out of place, to say the least, and that it is not his business to talk to the press, that maybe he did this without the Pope's knowledge or clearance.
Everyone is entitled to an opinion, obviously. But I want to comment on the last point because it encompasses the other two.
I find it
inconceivable that a person as conscientious as this priest - as 'dutybound' or 'dutiful' is one of the adjectives Peter Seewald cited as most often used by people who know Gaenswein - would
not have told the Holy Father about this interview before he even did it. Not the least because the interviewer would be Seewald and that the piece would be the cover story, no less, in
Sueddeutsche Zeitung!
And having told the Pope, he obviously got his blessing - most likely, too, he would have asked the Pope what general guidelines he should flow about which questions to answer (or not to answer) and how to answer them. Precisely because a cover story for SD would not simply be fluff! I know these are all my personal conjectures, too, but I believe they are plausible.
Just two days before the SD interview came out, Andrea Tornielli had also published an interview with GG about the Pope's vacation in general, but at which Tornielli also asked him what the reaction in the Apostolic Palace was to the reactions to the Mass MP.
GG would have had to take time off to do the interview, and, out of simple courtesy, he would have had to account for the time off (even if he did it after hours) since he lived in the same villa as the Holy Father. In short, I think he would have cleared the Tornielli interview before he did it...And it is
unthinkable that twice in succession, he would have gone and done something on his own - being interviewed by two of the most reputable Papal chroniclers - without the Pope's knowledge or permission!
Papa Ratzinger is media-savvy enough to know the publicity value of an interview given by people close to him, who will not mis-use the interview to obscure his, the Pope's, central messages. And GG does not.
In the SD interview, as in the only other substantial interview he has given before this, he in fact summarizes the message very well:
What do you think the impact of this Pontificate can be?
Strengthening the faith and encouraging it - and the consciousness that Catholic belief is something great, a gift of God, that is not imposed but must be freely taken on. That's where the challenges are for the Church.
A few months back, Mietek was interviewed by BILD, the most-circulated German newspaper (sleazy as it is), about a typical 'day in the life' at the Apostolic Palace. And he gave a description that anticipated the TV version of it shot by RAI for the birthday documentary. Surely, Mietek asked the Pope - and he allowed it.
The fact alone that the Pope allowed the RAI shoot speaks volumes!
I think the Pope, a thoroughly 'with-it' man of the moment even as he remains, above all, a man of God - understands the natural curiosity - a hunger, I might even call it - of the faithful to find out little details about him as a person,
not because he is Joseph Ratzinger but because he is the Pope.
That would be why he has allowed the Vatican press office to distribute pictures taken exclusively by his official photographers during his vacations - in Les Combes as in Lorenzago. It's his way of saying 'Even if the Pope is on vacation, he is with you'.
And what do these private pictures show? A priest saying the rosary as he walks in the woods, visiting litte churches, stopping at roadside shrines, interacting with 'ordinary' folk and local priests. Not Joseph Ratzinger playing pingpong or cards, or stretched out on a lounger in the garden, taking the sun!
In the case of Joseph Ratzinger, the man himself is his message, or embodies his message, as he should: as a Christian who lives his life as a relationship with Christ and with his fellowmen as hisbrothers in the family of God.
In fairness to Georg Gaenswein, I don't think he has betrayed, obscured or misrepresented that message at all.
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 02/08/2007 22:58]