Cardinal Martini was set against Pope Wojtyla for many years. And lately against Ratzinger as well. What is your opinion on this?
“I think this interpretation of the facts is based on a political frame work and is influenced by the media and mass culture. In reality there are many approaches - and this is a great asset of the Catholic Church - to one single reality. Even in the New Testament we have James’ theology and we have Paul’s and they are both different. So, in relation to the point you just made, I would not say it is about contrasting opinions but about varied nuances of the same colours. I myself find myself agreeing with certain points in Benedict XVI’s message as I do with certain points in Martini’s message.”
In his last interview, Martini said the Catholic Church is 200 years out of date…
“A number of historical judgements are legitimate. The Catholic Church is "semper reformanda", so it is always moving. In such a great structure and in such a vast horizon, there are some areas that in which the Church is more ahead than others, whilst in others, there are further steps that need to be taken. The Church embraces not only all territories, but also paradoxically, different times, because contemporary society is not all uniform either and there are certain cultural spheres that still remain stationary.”
You can’t deny though that on the subjects of bioethics and the origin and end of life, certain positions which Cardinal Martini publicly expressed seemed to contradict the official stances of the Catholic Church.
“I think that in this case too, we are dealing with someone who was very clear in his heart about his loyalty to traditional doctrine. Martini’s heart was faithful. But then there was the concrete reality and some aspects of this sometimes contrasted. Differences can emerge when one tries to figure out a problem. But as I said: Martini’s faith was deep, solid and strong. There are many dimensions to the truth, if we think, for example of the scientific aspects. The cardinal was interested in re-examining certain nuances more carefully. Without necessarily changing their essence: his comments against euthanasia clearly demonstrate this.”
The enormous participation in the mourning of Cardinal Martini over the past few days - despite the fact he left the Diocese of Milan ten years ago - is striking. How do you explain this?
“Cardinal Martini was sometimes seen as a cold figure. And yet, at a time when great personalities were lacking, it was his figure as well as his message and his word that described the era in which he lived. He left his mark above all as a person and this can still be felt today. How many grey figures, who may even have enjoyed great media success, have disappeared into oblivion? Martini, however, still speaks to the world.”