A theologian at St Mary’s University, Twickenham, is to translate a new book-length interview with Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
The book, entitled Last Testament, is based on interviews with the German journalist Peter Seewald and will be published in Britain and the US in November.
Dr Jacob Phillips is programme director of the MA in Theology at St Mary’s University, Twickenham. He also teaches fundamental theology at Allen Hall seminary, London. A convert to the faith – he was received into the Church in 2008 – he worships at St Etheldreda’s, Holborn, London.
“It is a great honour to be contributing to the dissemination of this book to the English-speaking world,” Dr Phillips said. “I do feel somewhat awestruck at times to be engaging with a text which is so important and so new – and therefore in such close proximity to the Pope Emeritus himself. I just hope and pray that I can do justice to the eloquence of his speech and his forthright honesty.”
Dr Phillips’s doctorate was on the Protestant theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “which meant reading lots of German texts from the period of Ratzinger’s own intellectual formation, ie the 1930s-40s,” he said.
According to the book’s publisher, Bloomsbury, the former pope addresses the controversies of his papacy “and reveals how at his late age, governing and reforming the papacy and particularly the Vatican, was beyond him”.
Last Testament follows the format of two previous book-length interviews with Peter Seewald, Light of the World and Salt of the Earth.
An excerpt published in the Corriere della Sera newspaper revealed that the Pope Emeritus had kept a diary throughout his papacy, but that he planned to destroy it despite its historical value.
Fourth person appointed to lead child sex abuse inquiry
The new chair of the independent inquiry into child sex abuse will be Professor Alexis Jay, who led the inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham two years ago.She replaces New Zealand judge Dame Lowell Goddard, who resigned last month.
Prof Jay, formerly chief social work inspector to the Scottish Government, was already on the panel of the inquiry.
Catholic MP Keith Vaz, chairman of the home affairs select committee, said that Prof Jay was “the first chair of the inquiry without legal or judicial qualifications”, adding: “I hope it will be fourth time lucky, as we must not let the victims and survivors down.”
Prof Jay’s Rotherham inquiry revealed that at least 1,400 children were subjected to sexual exploitation in the town between 1997 and 2013.
Home Secretary Amber Rudd said: “I’m delighted Professor Alexis Jay has agreed to chair the inquiry. She has a strong track record in uncovering the truth and I have no doubt she will run this independent inquiry with vigour, compassion and courage.”
Prof Jay said: “Be in no doubt – the inquiry is open for business and people are busier than ever.”
Prayers urged for Bishop Nolan
Catholics are praying for Bishop William Nolan of Galloway, who suffered a heart attack earlier in the month.Bishop Nolan, 62, called for an ambulance when he experienced chest pains at his home in Ayr. He was taken to Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride, where he had a stent inserted in a coronary artery.
Fr William McFadden, vicar-general of Galloway, is thought to be covering for Bishop Nolan during his recovery.
