An unholy mess involving (some) holy people.

Pope-emeritus Benedict has requested that his name not be listed as the co-author of a new book defending the Church’s tradition of celibacy, after the release of excerpts from the book triggered a fiercely partisan reaction.

The book has an essay by Cardinal Sarah and another by Benedict, each in agreement with the other. But leave the latter off the cover!

Well look, it happens all the time in the wild world of book publishing. It doesn’t?

Meanwhile as happens often in the current papal incumbency, the cat has the Big Man’s tongue. By no means is he inactive, however. We may be sure of  that.

So. Consider this by way of analysis by the veteran careful observer at Catholic World News:

The intemperate reactions to the appearance of a written work by the former Pope, and the embarrassing sequence of public statements by Church officials, highlights the tensions that now prevail at the Vatican.

It seems clear that intense pressure was put on Pope-emeritus Benedict, Cardinal Sarah, and  Archbishop Ganswein [Benedict’s spokesman, and former secretary] to the lessen the impact of the new book.

Tight little island, full of jockeying for position.

 Via Catholic Culture