Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, known for his traditionalist positions, settles his accounts with those who want to "silence him" in a book published on Monday, where he compares gay marriage to the "antichrist" and denounces "humanist ideologies". In this authorized biography published in Germany and entitled Benedict XVI - A life , Joseph Ratzinger, 93, who gave a long interview to the author, says he is the victim of a "malicious distortion of reality".
Criticized for his positions on other religions
"The spectacle of reactions from German theology is so absurd and malicious that I prefer not to talk about it," he said in particular about a controversy that had aroused in 2018 the publication of one of his texts deemed critical with regard to the Hebrew religion.
"I prefer not to analyze the real reasons why we simply want to silence my voice," added the man who, in his country in particular, where the Catholic Church has so far been led by prelates deemed reformist, has often been criticized for its positions on other religions or social issues.
Traditionalist fringe of the Church
The pope emeritus, in office from 2005 to 2013, was notably criticized for seeking to torpedo the modernization efforts of his successor Pope Francis. In the book, he assures, on the contrary, that he maintains good relations with him.
The book appeared to some as an interference in the pontificate of Pope Francis, and to others as a warning shot from the traditionalist fringe of the Church. After 48 hours of turmoil, Benedict XVI had asked that his name be removed from the cover of the book, as well as from the co-signed introduction and conclusion.
He sees in homosexual marriage the work of the "Antichrist"
On the merits, in the biography published on Monday, Benedict XVI reiterates his positions and in particular his opposition to homosexual marriage, where he sees the work of the "Antichrist", an evil force seeking to replace Jesus Christ. "A hundred years ago, we would have thought it still absurd to speak of homosexual marriage, today we are excommunicated when we oppose it," he accuses. "It's the same for abortion or creating humans in the laboratory," he adds.
"Modern society is in the process of formulating an antichristic creed which is worth being excommunicated from society when it is opposed to it," affirms the pope emeritus. In his eyes "the real threat to the Church" is "the world dictatorship of supposedly humanist ideologies".