Before we receive a new pope, it is worthwhile to consider the impact of the pontificate itself.There were several initiatives distinctive of Benedict’s priorities — restoring the liturgy, healing the breach with the Lefebrvists, pursuing unity with the Anglicans, speaking frankly with Muslims, challenging a ruthless secularism in public life. The great, overarching theme, though, is less about the current religious landscape and more about the broad sweep of Catholic history reaching back 500 years.A recent book by George Weigel gives the context, which would be fruitful for the cardinals in Rome to be reading this week: Evangelical Catholicism: Deep Reform in the 21st Century Church.The short version of the book’s theme is one heard frequently enough, namely that the Church is no longer the custodian of a Christian culture but must become an evangelist to a secular one
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Benedict brought back biblical theology