Aug 26, 2011 / 09:26 am
Pope Benedict is gathering some of his former students this week for their annual meeting. This year, the group is discussing the re-evangelization of the West at the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo, Italy.
The so-called “Ratzinger Schülerkreis,” or “Ratzinger Study Group” in English, has taken place every summer since 1977 and draws together those who defended their doctoral theses with the present Pope during his years teaching theology at various universities in Germany.
That means the study group has a pretty exclusive and prestigious membership list that includes Cardinal Christoph Schonborn of Vienna and Auxiliary Bishop Hans-Jochen of Hamburg.
In total, 40 people from various countries will take place in the seminars that began Aug. 25 and will run through Sunday. On Aug. 26, for the first time ever, the traditional group will be joined by members of a new group consisting of those who have written their doctrinal theses on texts by Joseph Ratzinger, now known as Pope Benedict XVI.