Does anyone know where Pope Benedict XVI stands on ecumenism

[Danmel]

Does he think all non-Christians are going to Hell? Or does he believe (like JP II) that there are other paths to "salvation"?
Will he be able to reach out to other Christian churches? To Jews? to Muslims? or will we be going backward in terms of the relationship of the Catholic Church with other world religions?

[Goblinmonger]

1. I thought that

Ratzinger basically said all non-Catholics are going to hell. Said this as the right arm or JPII.

[Warpy]

2. He also said that Democratic politicians who support choice

can be denied the sacraments, one step short of total excommunication.

It'll be interesting to see whether or not he mellows this a bit. My guess is that he'll go all Teutonic and authoritarian and keep up the pressure on Catholic Democrats.

Since most of them are already using birth control in defiance of mother church, it'll be interesting to watch it all play out.

[Tux]

4. But

Like most organized churches, it's a business. If he alienates enough people, Vatican will lose profits and may have to enter the stock market to keep up with profits and expenses. All tax free.

All non-Catholics are going to hell just like non-Baptists, non-Protestants, non-Evangelicals, non-Fundamentlaists, non-Methodists, etc.

[Goblinmonger]

5. The correct answer

was Mormon.

[im10ashus]

3. From what I have read...

...salvation is only possible through the Catholic church. That statement has fueled statement of his theocratic anti-semitism. Here's a link that may help.

http://nashuaadvocate.blogspot.com/2005/04/former-hitler-youth-nicknamed-gods.html

[Career Prole]

6. Ecumenism's going out the stained glass window...

As John Paul's doctrinal overseer, Ratzinger disciplined Latin American "liberation theology" theologians, denounced homosexuality and gay marriage and pressured Asian priests who saw non-Christian religions as part of God's plan for humanity.

In a document in 2000, he branded other Christian churches as deficient -- shocking Anglicans, Lutherans and other Protestants in ecumenical dialogue with Rome for years.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=574&ncid=721&e=1&u=/nm/20050419/wl_nm/pope_dc