<The> liturgical vision of Pope Benedict XVI a theological inquiry

This book presents and evaluates the liturgical vision of Pope Benedict XVI and the theological background underlying that vision. It describes the main features of Joseph Ratzinger’s theology of the liturgy and analyses them within the context of his theology as a whole. Ratzinger’s evaluation of the contemporary Roman Catholic liturgy is explored in relation to his overall assessment of the post-Vatican II era in the Church, alongside an examination of his project of liturgical renewal (‘reform of the reform’) and its practical implementation during his pontificate. The author discusses the various critical voices which have been raised against the Pope’s liturgical agenda and against certain aspects of his general theology. Overall, the book offers an assessment of the importance of Ratzinger’s vision for the Church at the threshold of the third millennium. Cover Contents Acknowledgments Abbreviations Introduction Chapter I Joseph Ratzinger’s theology of the liturgy Theological basis for prayer and liturgy Liturgy is an opus Dei Liturgy as sacrifice The human person and the liturgy Chapter II Joseph Ratzinger’s evaluation of contemporary Roman Catholic liturgy Roman Catholic liturgy on the eve of Vatican II as seen by Ratzinger Ratzinger’s evaluation of the liturgical reform carried out after the Council The crisis in the contemporary liturgy and its impact on the life of the Church Chapter III Joseph Ratzinger’s project of the ‘reform of the reform’ Establishing a theological context for ‘the reform of the reform’ The ‘reform of the reform’ and its aims External improvements in the course of the ‘reform of the reform’ Chapter IV Benedict XVI and the liturgy Background for Benedict’s ‘reform of the reform’ of the liturgy Benedict XVI’s teaching on the liturgy: the first step of the ‘reform’ Benedict’s actions in the area of the liturgy: the second step of the ‘reform of the reform’ Chapter V Critical voices about aspects of Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI’s liturgical vision Critical remarks about Ratzinger’s theology in general Critical remarks about Ratzinger’s theology of the liturgy and the ‘reform of the reform’ Chapter VI Evaluation and concluding remarks General remarks about Ratzinger/Benedict’s theology Remarks about Ratzinger/Benedict’s liturgical policies Bibliography Index Joseph Ratzinger's Theology Of The Liturgy -- Joseph Ratzinger's Evaluation Of Contemporary Roman Catholic Liturgy -- Joseph Ratzinger's Project Of The 'reform Of The Reform' -- Benedict Xvi And The Liturgy -- Critical Voices About Aspects Of Joseph Ratzinger/benedict Xvi's Liturgical Vision -- Evaluation And Concluding Remarks. Mariusz Biliniewicz. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 317-336) And Index. This book looks back at the main features of Pope Benedict XVI’s theology of the liturgy during his eight-year pontificate and evaluates his project of liturgical renewal (‘the reform of the reform’). It assesses the importance of the Pope’s vision for the Catholic Church at the threshold of the third millennium.