Sep 4, 2012 / 13:12 pm
Pope Benedict XVI told a group of his former students that Christians should not be scared to uphold ethical truths despite the fear of being branded "intolerant."
"Today, the concepts of truth and intolerance have almost fused together, so that to say that one has the truth becomes synonymous with intolerance. And we Christians do not dare to believe or to speak about the truth," the Pope said in his homily during Sunday morning Mass at Castel Gandolfo.
The Sept. 2 liturgy at the papal summer residence marked the conclusion of this year's Ratzinger Schülerkreis or Ratzinger Student Circle. Since 1977 the annual event has drawn together those who defended their doctoral theses with the present Pope during his years teaching theology at various universities in Germany.
According the Vatican Radio, Pope Benedict's homily was based on an analysis of a passage in the Book of Deuteronomy that recalled how Israel received God's law, which brought it authentic wisdom. The Pope said this wisdom was a gift to take joy in, rather than the result of some individual genius.