Joseph Ratzinger's Theology in Conflict

Prof. Dr. Markus Lersch participated as a speaker at the major international symposium “Joseph Ratzinger’s Theology in Controversy,” held from October 22–24,October 10, 2026, to mark the upcoming 100th birthday of Joseph Ratzinger/Pope Benedict XVI. The symposium, featuring a distinguished lineup of speakers, was dedicated to a comprehensive critical appraisal of the theology of the only German pope of modern times and was intended—in the words of the organizers, Prof. Dr. Thomas Marschler and Prof. Dr. Jan-Heiner Tück —counteract the “double temptation” of both “hagiographic glorification” and a one-sided “settling of scores.” Prof. Lersch was tasked with analyzing “the nature and mission of theology” according to Joseph Ratzinger