[History] will remember him as the greatest and most learned intellect ever to occupy the Chair of Peter. No public official in our time has been anywhere near his intellectual equal. This disparity is itself the cause of much disorder, if we grant, as we must, that truth is the essence of intellect and indeed order.
This comes early in an interview at National Review Online that's very much worth reading in its entirety. Given on the occasion of Fr. Schall's s own retirement, it's concerned with the life of the mind and the state of contemporary culture, and is full of wisdom.
About Benedict, though: I've had similar thoughts about him. He is an intellectual giant, and that has been clear to me for many years. I never know whether to laugh or cry when I hear the agitated little minds and tinny voices of the secular media trying to take his measure. The contrast is ludicrous: the breadth and precision of his thought is in a realm that they don't even seem to know exists. They're like tone-deaf people grappling with a symphony, not only not comprehending but not comprehending that they're not comprehending.
I've heard several people express, on Benedict's retirement, variations of the thought that they feel that they've lost a father. I don't really feel that way. The much more powerful image for me is that we are without a shepherd. May the next one be a good one.
Light On Dark Water 
6 responses to “James V. Schall, S.J., on Benedict”
This is very true; I am increasingly grateful to have lived during the reign of such a good shepherd.
BTW, I’ve read this blog for a while now, though this is my first comment.(I’m terrible at online commenting!) It has been a great comfort and blessing on my long and increasingly complicated road to the Church, so thank you, Maclin.
You’re very welcome, and thank you. It really pleases me to hear when someone is getting some good out of the blog.
[History] will remember him as the greatest and most learned intellect ever to occupy the Chair of Peter.
He is truly Great, no doubt about it, but were there really never any other popes with intellects as great as his?
I never know whether to laugh or cry when I hear the agitated little minds and tinny voices of the secular media trying to take his measure. The contrast is ludicrous: the breadth and precision of his thought is in a realm that they don’t even seem to know exists.
I know. To me it’s both terribly funny and terribly sad at the same time.
The few things that I have allowed myself to be exposed to from the media have been so amazingly ignorant that it’s hard to believe. They don’t have the faintest idea what they are talking about.
AMDG
I know, Janet, I find it quite worrying.