"Martin Luther wasn’t so bad" says Pope

[ATYCLB]

That Martin Luther? He wasn’t so bad, says Pope
3-6-08
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article3492299.ece?print=yes&randnum=1204807764568

Pope Benedict XVI is to rehabilitate Martin Luther, arguing that he did not intend to split Christianity but only to purge the Church of corrupt practices.

Pope Benedict will issue his findings on Luther (1483-1546) in September after discussing him at his annual seminar of 40 fellow theologians — known as the Ratzinger Sch�lerkreis — at Castelgandolfo, the papal summer residence. According to Vatican insiders the Pope will argue that Luther, who was excommunicated and condemned for heresy, was not a heretic.

Cardinal Walter Kasper, the head of the pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, said the move would help to promote ecumenical dialogue between Catholics and Protestants. It is also designed to counteract the impact of July's papal statement describing the Protestant and Orthodox faiths as defective and “not proper Churches”.

[Hootmon]

...he (luther) did not intend to split Christianity but only to purge the Church of corrupt practices. 'Only'...

[seekingtruth1]

awww the popey threw us a bone....how special!:aha

[Kliska]

Pope Benedict XVI is to rehabilitate Martin Luther, arguing that he did not intend to split Christianity but only to purge the Church of corrupt practices.

That's a true statement, but as Hoot' says above..."only?" Like reforming the church is a walk in the park...

Edit to add, this is a line from the article, it's not funny...no, I guess it is funny: "Luther was excommunicated by Pope Leo X, who dismissed him initially as “a drunken German who will change his mind when sober”."

[Buzzardhut]

That Martin Luther? He wasn’t so bad, says Pope
3-6-08
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article3492299.ece?print=yes&randnum=1204807764568

Pope Benedict XVI is to rehabilitate Martin Luther, arguing that he did not intend to split Christianity but only to purge the Church of corrupt practices.

Pope Benedict will issue his findings on Luther (1483-1546) in September after discussing him at his annual seminar of 40 fellow theologians — known as the Ratzinger Sch�lerkreis — at Castelgandolfo, the papal summer residence. According to Vatican insiders the Pope will argue that Luther, who was excommunicated and condemned for heresy, was not a heretic.

Cardinal Walter Kasper, the head of the pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, said the move would help to promote ecumenical dialogue between Catholics and Protestants. It is also designed to counteract the impact of July's papal statement describing the Protestant and Orthodox faiths as defective and “not proper Churches”.
Luther failed in cleaning up Rome because it is more corrupt than ever before.

He did help realize the autonomy of the believer.