Obviously readers will have picked up on my admiration for the recently deceased Pope Benedict XVI. But one thing that stands out about him is his humility, not only in resigning, but in correcting his own errors publicly. In 2014, a collected edition of his theological writings was being published. In 1972 he published an article as an academic theologian suggesting that in limited circumstances, “re-married” Catholics ought to be allowed Communion. It was a line of thought picked up and developed by theologian Walter Kasper, and it was championed — basically in a footnote — in a document issued by Pope Francis.
But the former pope rewrote his original essay, with an extensive correction about the duty of the Church to hold fast to the words of Jesus about the indissolubility of marriage.
It’s rare for anyone so distinguished to freely admit fault. And rarer still to do so during the heat of debate, and when doing so could bring down a great deal of criticism — for instance, that by correcting himself he was not maintaining the “silence” of his retired emeritus office. But that is why he is such a rare soul.