Pope Benedict XVI

On 8 January 2006 Pope Benedict continued the tradition of his predecessor John Paul II and baptised several infants in the Sistine Chapel representing his pastoral role as Bishop of Rome. Gretzky holds the record for most MVP awards of any player in American professional sports. Other traditional items unused by the pope include the vestmental gloves, known as gauntlets and the papal fanon, a shoulder-length vestment reserved to Popes, worn with Mass vestments underneath the pallium. He won nine Hart Trophies, the NHL's most valuable player award, and eight of these were awarded in consecutive years from 1980-1987. Like his two immediate predecessors, Benedict chose not to be crowned with the tiara during his Inauguration Mass, nor has he worn it since that time. Gretzky's point total including regular season and playoffs stands at an imposing 3,239. One item of clothing that Benedict has not worn to date is the papal tiara. The next closest player in total points for the regular season is Mark Messier at 1,887.

On December 21, 2005, the pope began wearing the camauro for his general audiences; the traditional papal hat had not been seen since the pontificate of John XXIII (1958 - 1963). He has the record for most career regular season goals (894), assists (1,963), points (2,857), and hat tricks (50). Pope Benedict XVI has also taken up the use of the red papal tabarro (outdoor cloak), which Pope John Paul II did not use after 1995. His career regular season stats are equally as impressive. His house cassock (his soutane or cassock with shoulder cape) also includes the upper half-sleeves discontinued for all other clerics by the authority of Paul VI's Motu Proprio "Pontificalis Domus". Given that Gretzky was by far the highest scorer of the highest scoring period in the game's history, these playoff numbers appear to be untouchable. He has also worn the red satin mozzetta and its ermine-trimmed winter version that has not been seen since Pope Paul VI. He is the career playoff leader in goals (122), assists (260), points (382), hat tricks (10), and game winning goals (24).

He has revived the use of the red papal buskins. His 47 points in 1985 and his 31 assists in 1988 are still records for a playoff year. During his installment address, he spoke at length about the significance of one item of vestiture: the pallium, and has reverted to an ancient form of the pallium worn by first millennium pontiffs. He had dominated the playoffs like he had dominated the regular season. Pope Benedict XVI has been using papal clothing which had previously fallen into disuse. During Gretzky's point-scoring streak, he had 61 goals and 92 assists for 153 points. The canonizations were part of a Mass that marked the conclusion of the Synod of Bishops and the Year of the Eucharist.[36]. In 1982-83, he had a 51 game point scoring streak that has been compared to Joe DiMaggio's streak in baseball.

Peter's Square when he canonized Josef Bilczewski, Alberto Hurtado SJ and three others. He also holds the record for the fastest 50 goals in 50 games or less, which he did in only 39 games and the most goals in 50 games (61, which he did twice). Pope Benedict XVI celebrated his first Canonizations on October 23, 2005 in St. Some of the more impressive regular season records include most goals in a season (92), most assists in a season (163), and most points in a season (215). On 29 September 2005 the Congregation for the Causes of Saints issued a communiqué announcing that henceforth beatifications would be celebrated by a representative of the Pope, usually the Prefect of that Congregation. He had 40 regular season records, 15 playoff records, and 6 all-star records. Unlike his predecessor, Benedict XVI delegated the beatification liturgical service to a Cardinal. Wayne Gretzky held or shared 61 NHL records upon his retirement on the 18th of April, 1999.

The new Blesseds were Mother Marianne Cope and Mother Ascensión Nicol Goñi. For more information and a list of Gretzky's official and unofficial records, see Wayne Gretzky's records.. The first beatification under the new Pope was celebrated on May 14, 2005 by José Cardinal Saraiva Martins. ^[27]. [35]. Police sources have told the paper that there is no evidence that Gretzky made any bets, but are attempting to find out if Gretzky placed any bets through his wife. Normally the beatification process for a person does not begin until five years have passed since his or her death, but due to the popularity of John Paul II — devotees chanted "Santo subito!" meaning "Saint now!" during the late pontiff's funeral — Benedict XVI dispensed with the rule and styled the late pope with the title given to all those being scrutinized in the beatification process, Servant of God. I'll say it one more time: I didn't bet, didn't happen, not going to happen, hasn't happened, not something I've done." ^[26] Reports by the Newark Star-Ledger stated that the New Jersey State Police possessed wiretaps with Gretzky on tape speaking about the betting ring.

On May 9, 2005, Benedict XVI began the beatification process for his immediate predecessor, John Paul II. I did nothing wrong, or nothing that has to do with anything along the lines of betting; that never happened .. Levada relinquished his see in San Francisco on August 17, 2005 and is expected to be made a Cardinal in a future consistory. On the matter, Gretzky stated: "I'm still going to coach the Phoenix Coyotes. Though elements of the press have chosen to present Levada as a staunch conservative for his involvement with the drafting of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, his private views and public policies have not been entirely clear. Bets were allegedly taken from NHL players as well as several celebrities, including Gretzky's wife, Janet Jones. On May 13, 2005, Benedict XVI appointed a non-Cardinal, William Joseph Levada, Archbishop of San Francisco in the United States of America. On February 7, 2006, Coyotes assistant coach Rick Tocchet was implicated in a southern New Jersey based gambling ring.

Benedict's only major new appointment was that of his successor as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. These distinctive and long-discontinued helmets are today a collectors' item among hockey players and fans. The principal political officer, the Cardinal Secretary of State (often likened to the pope's Prime Minister), remains Angelo Cardinal Sodano, an Italian. ^[25] The model of helmet that Gretzky wore throughout his career, the Jofa VM, is now known more popularly as the "Gretzky helmet", even though it was a popular model worn by many NHL players in its time. This assured an easy transition into a new pontificate. In poker, a pair of 9s is sometimes called a Gretzky. Since their terms had ended on the death of the previous pope, Benedict reappointed after his election all former senior officers of the Roman Curia, though most only in a provisional manner. ^[24] Forbes estimates that Gretzky earned $93.8 million from hockey and endorsements from 1990-98.

This has drawn a sharp criticism by Catholic gay rights advocates like journalist Andrew Sullivan, who claim that Benedict is espousing a form of fundamentalist edict and is opposed to an outside questioning of his doctrines. After his retirement, he became the spokesman for Power Automotive Group of Southern California, and Tylenol Arthritis Formula. John Lateran basilica on June 6, 2005, Benedict remarked on the issues of same-sex marriage and abortion:. He owns a restaurant, Hespeler sports equipment, and co-owns a chain of roller-hockey rinks. In an address to a conference of the Diocese of Rome held at St. In 1998, he launched a line of fashion menswear, ^[23] and signed a licensing agreement with a phone card company. In the discussion with secularism and rationalism, one of Benedict's basic ideas can be found in his address on the "Crisis of Culture" in the West, a day before Pope John Paul II died, when he referred to Christianity as the Religion of the Word (in the original Greek, Logos, reason, meaning, intelligence). He posed for the cover of Cigar Aficionado Magazine with Janet.

He also traced the failed revolutions and violent ideologies of the 20th century to a conversion of partial points of view into absolute guides: "Absolutizing what is not absolute but relative is called totalitarianism," he said during World Youth Day. He hosted Saturday Night Live in 1989 and lent his likeness to a 1992 cartoon show, ProStars, ^[22] and video games in 1996, 2004, and 2006. Continuing what he said in the pre-conclave Mass about what he has often referred to as the "central problem of our faith today": [31] the world "moving towards a dictatorship of relativism", [32] on June 6, 2005 he also said:. He and his son Ty did commercials for the Sharp Viewcam. It is a message that helps to overcome what can be considered the great temptation of our time: the claim, that after the Big Bang, God withdrew from history." [30]. ^[21] Past and present plugs include Thrifty Car Rental, Peak Antifreeze, Ford Motor Company (in Canada only), Coca-Cola, Esso, McDonald's, Campbell's Soup, Primestar TV, Upper Deck, Nike, Ultra Wheels, Hallmark Cards, Zurich Insurance, Tylenol and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. speaking to him as to a friend, knowing well that the Lord really is the true friend of everyone, even of those who cannot do great things on their own...that God is working today, and that all we have to do is put ourselves at his disposal...is an extremely important message. While in Edmonton, he endorsed everything from soft drinks and blue jeans to his own wallpaper, pillow cases, breakfast cereal, chocolate bars, and a Mattel "Great Gretzky" doll.

[29] He also said: "Truly we are all able, we are all called to open ourselves to this friendship with God.. They have 5 children: model/pop singer Paulina Gretzky, Ty, Trevor, Tristan, and Emma. For example, his address to the priests of Rome, his diocese as bishop, [27], to the cardinals in the pre-conclave, a key public address to the Church's top leaders [28], and to 150,000 people among whom were children going to their First Communion. The event reportedly cost Gretzky over $1 million; Janet's dress alone cost $40,000. "Friendship with Jesus Christ" is a theme of his preaching which is found in many of his homilies and his addresses. "Guards" from the Edmonton Fire Department stood on the church steps. After referring to John Paul II's well-known words (Do not be afraid! Open wide the doors for Christ!), Benedict XVI says:. Joseph's Basilica in Edmonton, Alberta was dubbed "The Royal Wedding" by the press and broadcast live throughout Canada.

According to commentators, during the Inaugural Mass, the core of his message, the most moving and famous part, is found in the last paragraph of his homily where he referred to both Jesus Christ and John Paul II. ^[20] Their July 17, 1988, Anglican Church nuptials at St. The emphases of his teachings are stated in more detail in Theology of Pope Benedict XVI. Gretzky met American actress Janet Jones in 1984 when he was a judge on the show "Dance Fever" and she was a dancer and they begin dating in 1987. As Pope, Benedict XVI's main role is to teach about the Catholic faith and the solutions to the problems of the faith, a role that he can play well being a former head of the Church's Congregation of the Faith. ^[19] The game was subsequently released on DVD. In a return to tradition, Benedict chose to resurrect the tradition of delegating the celebration of the beatification liturgies. Preceding the NHL game was an exhibition game that reunited Gretzky and many of his retired Oiler teammates against a group of retired Montreal Canadiens players in front of an ice hockey record 57,167 fans and millions more on TV.

However, all the cardinals had already sworn their obedience upon his election. The Heritage Classic was the first NHL game to be played outdoors, at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton. During his inaugural Mass, the previous custom of all the cardinals submitting was replaced by having 12 people, representing cardinals, clergy, religious, a married couple and their child, and newly confirmed people, submit to him. In 2003, Gretzky took to the ice one last time to help celebrate the Edmonton Oilers' 25th anniversary as an NHL team. Since it is the shield and not the background which is unique to the individual Pope, various backgrounds are possible (though rarely used) for even a single shield. Even though he wasn't officially a member of the management staff, he was consulted regularly about decisions, aiding in Canada's gold medal win at the 2005 Worlds. Benedict's coat of arms has officially omitted the papal tiara, traditionally appearing in the background to designate the Pope's position and replaced it with a simple mitre.^[25] However, there have been papal documents since his inauguration that have been appearing with the papal tiara present. ^[18] He was asked to manage Canada's team at the 2005 Ice Hockey World Championships, but declined due to his mother's poor health.

It is notable that he has used an open popemobile, saying that he wants to be closer to the people. Gretzky will once again act as Executive Director of Canada's men's hockey team at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. Pope Benedict has confounded the expectations of many in the early days of his papacy by his gentle public persona and his promise to listen. In retrospect, Gretzky's outbursts against the media turned out to be a galvanizing force for the Canadian team in the quest for the gold; they can be compared to Phil Esposito's legendary rant against Canadian fans during the 1972 Summit Series. Peter's Square, on April 27, 2005, to explain to the world why he chose the name:. The coin is now at the Hockey Hall of Fame; a specially-minted loonie was placed at centre ice for the finals of the 2004 World Cup of Hockey. Benedict XVI used his first General Audience in St. This information was leaked to both teams and it became a good luck charm.

The choice of the regnal name Benedict (Latin "the blessed") is significant. While forming the ice, a Canadian loonie was used to mark centre ice. John Lateran. to win the gold medal 50 years to the day after the Edmonton Waterloo Mercurys won the nation's last gold medal in ice hockey. (Some sources, such as the Catholic Encyclopedia and a number of church historians, additionally count Pope Stephen II, who died before being consecrated.) Then, on May 7, he was enthroned in a mass at the Basilica of St. Canada beat the U.S. Peters, formally becoming the 265th pope by the official Vatican reckoning. American fans online began calling Gretzky a "crybaby"; defenders said he was merely borrowing a page from former coach Glen Sather to take the pressure off his players.

On April 24, he was inaugurated in St. the Czech Republic, as he launched a tirade against the perceived negative reputation of Team Canada amongst other national squads, and called rumors of dissent in the dressing room the result of "American propaganda." "They're loving us not doing well," he said, referring to American hockey fans. He then gave the blessing to the people. His temper boiled over after Canada's 3-3 draw vs. At the balcony, Benedict's first words to the crowd, given in Italian before he gave the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing in Latin, were:. On February 18, he lashed out at the media at a press conference, frustrated with speculation regarding his team's uninspiring 1-1-1 start. Cardinal Medina Estévez first addressed the massive crowd as "dear(est) brothers and sisters" in Italian, Spanish, French, German and English — each language receiving cheers from the international crowd — before continuing with the traditional Habemus Papam announcement in Latin. Gretzky was Executive Director of the Canadian men's hockey team at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Before his first appearance at the balcony of Saint Peter's Basilica after becoming pope, he was announced by the Jorge Cardinal Medina Estévez, protodeacon of the College of Cardinals. Assistant coach Rick Tocchet assumed the position until Gretzky's return on December 28. Cardinal Ratzinger had hoped to retire peacefully and said that "At a certain point, I prayed to God 'please don't do this to me'...Evidently, this time He didn't listen to me." ^[23]. Unfortunately, his mother would lose her battle to lung cancer two days later, passing away on December 19, 2005. Leo IX, the most important German pope of the Middle Ages, known for instituting major reforms during his pontificate. Gretzky took an indefinite leave of absence as coach on December 17, 2005 to care for his ill mother in Brantford, Ontario. Coincidentally, April 19 is the feast of St. His first coaching victory was October 8, 2005, beating the Minnesota Wild 2-1.

On April 19, 2005, Cardinal Ratzinger was elected as the successor to Pope John Paul II on the second day of the papal conclave after four ballots. Gretzky made his coaching debut on October 5, 2005, the opening night of the 2005-06 NHL season, losing 3-2 to the Vancouver Canucks. Despite being the favourite (or perhaps because he was the favourite), it was a surprise to many that he was actually elected. In the time leading up to Gretzky's announcement, several prominent free agents signed with Phoenix citing the chance to play for Gretzky, including Brett Hull. The elections of both John Paul II and his predecessor, John Paul I had been rather unexpected. This was annouced following the conclusion of the 2004-05 NHL lockout and may have been partly a marketing decision due to the league's financial struggles, though few question Gretzky's overriding motive to win hockey games. Though Ratzinger was increasingly considered the front runner by much of the international media, others maintained that his election was far from certain since very few papal predictions in modern history had come true. Despite previous assurances, in August 2005 Gretzky agreed to become the new coach of the Phoenix Coyotes.

Piers Paul Read wrote in The Spectator on March 5, 2005:. ^[17]. Ratzinger himself had repeatedly stated he would like to retire to a Bavarian village and dedicate himself to writing books, but more recently, he told friends he was ready to "accept any charge God placed on him.". Rumors began regarding Gretzky becoming the head coach of the team, but were nixed by Gretzky and the rest of the Coyotes' ownership. In April 2005, before his election as pope, he was identified as one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine. Later that year, he became Alternate Governor and Managing Partner of the Phoenix Coyotes NHL team. On the death of John Paul II, the Financial Times gave the odds of Ratzinger becoming pope as 7–1, the lead position, but close to his rivals on the liberal wing of the church. Gretzky's famous #99 was retired league-wide at the 2000 All-Star Game.

On January 2, 2005, Time magazine quoted unnamed Vatican sources as saying that Ratzinger was a frontrunner to succeed John Paul II should the pope die or become too ill to continue as pope. The NHL then stated that he would be the last player to do so. A careful reading of the text will probably prove disappointing.". Gretzky was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on November 22, 1999, becoming the tenth player to bypass the three-year waiting period. He was quoted in the media as stating, "No great mystery is revealed; nor is the future unveiled. No less an expert Bobby Orr said he "thinks so far ahead," while Gretzky himself referred to it as having "...a feeling about where a teammate is going to be, a lot of times, I can turn and pass without looking." ^[16]. On June 26, 2000, following the release of the text of the prophecy, Ratzinger issued a joint statement with Cardinal Bertone that the third and final chapter of Mary's prophecy had been fulfilled in 1981 in a failed attempt on the Pope's life. By the time of his retirement, Gretzky had become known for setting up behind the net, passing to teammates like Luc Robitaille or Mark Messier or jumping out quickly for a wrap-around goal.

In 1997, Ratzinger and Capovilla publicly stated that the Third Message was not being withheld for fears it would condemn the changes of the Vatican II council. It was said that he "seems to have eyes in the back of his head" and had a knack of "rolling with a check." ^[15]. In October 1987 he stated that "the things contained in [the] Third Secret correspond to what has been announced in Scripture and has been said again and again in many other Marian apparitions; first of all, that of Fatima in what is already known of what its message contains, conversion and penitence are the essential conditions for salvation". At 16, Gretzky's skills were already described as "a magic touch," that he was a good shot, moved the puck very well and never quit, playing both ways (adept at playing defense as well as offense) and a player that any team could build their hockey club around. A year later, the interview was re-published in The Ratzinger Report, although several statements were omitted. Gretzky's dominance throughout his career was attributed to the amount of time he practiced (by his own admission at least 4-5 hours a day) and also that he was a natural prodigy. In 1984, an interview with Ratzinger was published in the Pauline Sisters newsletter and states that the message deals with "dangers threatening the faith and the life of the Christian and therefore of the world", while stating that it marks the beginning of the end-times. Gretzky was named as the first, second, and third star of both games.

He was one of seven people known to have read the actual Third Message put into writing in 1944, and the author of the Theological Commentary on the Third Message, published with the message itself in 2000. He scored his final point in this game, assisting on the lone New York goal scored by Brian Leetch. Until her death, Lúcia dos Santos, the last surviving of the three Fatima visionaries, was forbidden to discuss the Fatima revelations publicly unless given leave by Cardinal Ratzinger. ^[14] The Star-Spangled Banner, sung by John Amirante, was changed from "the land of the free" to "the land of Wayne Gretzky". In defending Dominus Iesus, Ratzinger himself has stated that his belief is that inter-faith dialogue should take place on the basis of equal human dignity, but that equality of human dignity should not imply that each side is equally correct. In place of "O Canada, we stand on guard for thee", Bryan Adams sang "We're going to miss you Wayne Gretzky". They point out that Ratzinger has been very active in promoting inter-faith dialogue. The national anthems in that game were adjusted to accommodate Gretzky's departure.

Others also maintain that single quotes from Dominus Iesus are not indicative of intolerance or an unwillingness to engage in dialogue with other faiths, and this is clear from a reading of the entire document. His last NHL game in Canada was on April 16, 1999, in a 2-2 tie with the Ottawa Senators, and his final game was a 2-1 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 18. His defenders argue that it is to be expected that a leader within the Catholic Church would forcefully and explicitly argue in favor of the superiority of Catholicism over other religions. ^[13]. He said Turkey had always been "in permanent contrast to Europe" and that linking it to Europe would be a mistake.^[22]. Many attribute Canada's failure to head coach Marc Crawford's decision to use a defenceman, Ray Bourque, and not Gretzky in the shoot-out against Dominik Hasek. In an interview in 2004 for Le Figaro magazine, Ratzinger said that Turkey, a country Muslim by heritage and staunchly secularist by its state constitution, should seek its future in an association of Islamic nations rather than the European Union, which has Christian roots. Expectations were high for the Canadian team, but without the presence of Mario Lemieux (with whom Gretzky did well in the 1987 Canada Cup) and several other star Canadians due to injury, the team lost to Finland for the bronze medal.

^[21]. He participated in the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. The Dalai Lama congratulated Pope Benedict XVI upon his election. The experts voted Gretzky number one, ahead of the once seemingly incomparable Bobby Orr and Gordie Howe. The World Jewish Congress "welcomed" his election to the pontificate, noted "his great sensitivity to the Jewish history and the Holocaust," and quoted the Pope in its press release:. In 1997, prior to his retirement, The Hockey News named a committee of 50 hockey experts (former NHL players, past and present writers, broadcasters, coaches and hockey executives) to select and rank the 50 greatest players in NHL history. The deliberate omission of the "filioque" clause ("and the Son") in the first paragraph ^[18] is seen as an outreach to the Greek Orthodox Church which has been in conflict with the Latin Catholic Church over its addition to the Nicene Creed for about one thousand years.^[19]. He played his final three seasons there and helped the team reach the conference finals in 1997.

Addressing the question that one religion is as a good as another (syncretism or indifferentism), it states, "...followers of other religions can receive divine grace, it is also certain that objectively speaking they are in a gravely deficient situation in comparison with those who, in the Church, have the fullness of the means of salvation." (par.22). Gretzky ended his professional career with the Rangers. 4). On July 21, he signed with the New York Rangers as a free agent, rejoining Mark Messier. (par. While he scored 37 points in 31 games for the team (regular season and playoffs), and they got within one overtime game of the Conference finals, he never clicked with the team or with sniper Brett Hull on the ice as well as many had expected. This document pointed out the danger to the Church of relativistic theories which seek to justify religious pluralism by denying that God has revealed truth to humanity. Louis Blues in a trade for Patrice Tardif, Roman Vopat, Craig Johnson, and draft picks.

^[17]. On February 27, 1996 he joined the St. This was misunderstood by some who mistakenly believed that the Church had previously repudiated its unique role in the world. Long before that, running out of time and looking for a team with which he could win again, Gretzky had been traded from the Kings at his request. In 2000, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith published a document entitled Dominus Iesus, which reaffirmed the historic doctrine and mission of the Church to proclaim the Gospel. The team began a long slide that continued despite numerous player and coaching moves and failed to even qualify for the playoffs again until 1998. ^[16]. After winning the first game of the series, however, the team lost the next four in a row to the Montreal Canadiens.

Shortly after his election, he told Francis Cardinal George, the Archbishop of Chicago, that he would attend to the matter. Gretzky's tenure with the Kings reached its peak when he scored three goals in game seven of the 1993 Western Conference Finals against Toronto, propelling the Kings into the Stanley Cup Finals. ^[15] His Good Friday reflections in 2005 were interpreted as strongly condemning and regretting the abuse scandals, which largely put to rest the speculation of indifference. ^[12] In 1990, the AP named him Male Athlete of the Decade. ^[14] A report by the Catholic Church itself estimated that some 4,450 of the Roman Catholic clergy who served between 1950 and 2002 have faced credible accusations of abuse. Sun Belt. In 2002, Ratzinger told the Catholic News Service that "less than one percent of priests are guilty of acts of this type." ^[13] Opponents saw this as ignoring the crimes of those who committed the abuse; others saw it as merely pointing out that this should not taint other priests who live respectable lives. hockey markets on "the NHL map"; not only did California receive two more NHL franchises (the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and the San Jose Sharks) during Gretzky's tenure in L.A., but his popularity in Southern California proved to be an impetus in the league establishing teams in other parts of the U.S.

^[12]. Many credit Gretzky's arrival with putting non-traditional U.S. In past eras, some serious crimes by priests against sexual morality, including pedophilia, were handled by that congregation or its predecessor, the Holy Office, but this has not been true in recent years." ^[9] The promulgation of the norms by Pope John Paul II and the subsequent letter by the then Prefect of the CDF were published in 2001 in Acta Apostolicae Sedis ^[10] which, in accordance with the Code of Canon Law ^[11], is the Holy See's official journal, disseminated monthly to thousands of libraries and offices around the world. Gretzky finished second in scoring but narrowly beat out Mario Lemieux (who scored 199 points) for the Hart Trophy as MVP. "The letter said the new norms reflected the CDF's traditional “exclusive competence” regarding delicta graviora—Latin for “graver offenses.” According to canon law experts in Rome, reserving cases of clerical sexual abuse of minors to the CDF is something new. Gretzky led his team back from a 3-1 deficit to win the series 4-3. ^[8] However, the letter did not discourage victims from reporting the abuse itself to the police; the secrecy related to the internal investigation. Despite being underdogs against the defending Stanley Cup champion Edmonton Oilers, Gretzky led the Kings to a shocking upset of his old squad.

However, when the crime is sexual abuse of a minor, the "prescription begins to run from the day on that which the minor completes the eighteenth year of age." ^[7] Lawyers acting for two alleged victims of abuse in Texas claim that by sending the letter the cardinal conspired to obstruct justice. The Kings, who then played their home games at the Great Western Forum, boasted numerous sellouts on their way to reaching the 88-89 playoffs. The letter extended the prescription (statute of limitations) for these crimes to ten years. Gretzky's first season in Los Angeles saw a marked increase in attendance and fan interest in a city not previously known for following ice hockey. As part of the implementation of the norms enacted and promulgated ^[5] on April 30, 2001 by Pope John Paul II, on May 18, 2001 Ratzinger sent a letter ^[6] to every bishop in the Catholic Church reminding them of the strict penalties facing those who revealed confidential details concerning enquiries into allegations against priests of certain grave ecclesiastical crimes, including sexual abuse, reserved to the jurisdiction of the CDF. After "The Trade", Gretzky's personal popularity sank across Canada, but only temporarily. ^[4]. ^[11] Others believe it was Pocklington who instigated the trade, seeking to benefit personally from the transaction.

As Cardinal Ratzinger was Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF), the sexual abuse of minors by priests was his responsibility to investigate from 2001, when that charge was given to the CDF by Pope John Paul II. ^[10] Gretzky himself was considered a "traitor" by some Canadians for turning his back on his adopted hometown, his home province, and his home country; his motivation was widely rumoured to be to further his wife's acting career. Because of these health problems, and in order to have time free to write, he had hoped to retire, but had continued at his post in obedience to the wishes of Pope John Paul II.^[3]. "The Trade," as it came to be known, upset Canadians to the extent that New Democratic Party House Leader Nelson Riis demanded the government block it, ^[9] and Pocklington was burned in effigy. France's Philippe Cardinal Barbarin further revealed that since the first stroke, Ratzinger has suffered from a heart condition. On August 9, 1988, in a move that drastically changed the dynamics of the NHL, Gretzky was traded with Marty McSorley and Mike Krushelnyski by the Oilers to the Los Angeles Kings for Jimmy Carson, Martin Gelinas, $15 million cash, and the Kings' first-round draft picks in 1989, 1991, and 1993. In May 2005, the Vatican revealed that he had subsequently suffered another mild stroke - it did not reveal when, other than that it occurred between 2003 and 2005. The Oilers, with Gretzky, also won the Cup in 1985, 1987, and 1988.

The existence of the stroke was known to the Conclave that elected him pope. Since the Order ceremonies are always held during the hockey season, it took 13 years, seven months and two Governors-General before he could accept the honour. In the early 1990s Ratzinger suffered a stroke, which slightly impaired his eyesight temporarily. Gretzky was named an officer of the Order of Canada on June 25, 1984 for outstanding contribution to the sport of hockey. (See also Theology of Pope Benedict XVI.). The following season, the Oilers met the Islanders in the Finals again, this time winning the Stanley Cup, their first of five in seven years. During his period in office, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith took disciplinary measures against some outspoken liberation theologians in Latin America in the 1980s. In 1983, they made it to the Stanley Cup finals, only to be swept by the three-time defending champion New York Islanders.

In office, Ratzinger fulfilled his institutional role, defending and reaffirming official Catholic doctrine, including teaching on topics such as birth control, homosexuality, and inter-religious dialogue. The Oilers were a young, strong team featuring forwards Mark Messier, Glenn Anderson, and Jari Kurri, defenceman Paul Coffey, goaltender Grant Fuhr, and Gretzky as its captain. He was promoted with the College of Cardinals to become to Cardinal Bishop of Velletri-Segni in 1993, was made the College's vice-dean in 1998 and dean in 2002. ^[8] The same success was not immediate when they joined the NHL, but within 4 seasons, the Oilers were competing for the Stanley Cup. Consequently, he resigned his post at Munich in early 1982. The Edmonton Oilers finished their last WHA season first overall in the regular season. On November 25, 1981, Pope John Paul II named Ratzinger Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, formerly known as the Holy Office, the historical Inquisition. The following seasons would see Gretzky break his own assists record three more times (125, 135, and 163) and his point record one more time (215).^[7] By the time he finished playing in Edmonton, he held or shared 49 NHL records, which in itself was a record.

Of these only he and Cardinal William Baum took part in the Conclave. He was also named Sports Illustrated Magazine's 1982 "Sportsman of the Year.". By the time of the 2005 Conclave, he was one of only 14 remaining cardinals appointed by Paul VI, and one of only three of those under the age of 80. He ended the 1981-1982 season with records of 92 goals, 120 assists, and 212 points in 80 games, becoming the first player in NHL history to break the 200 point mark.^[6] That year, Gretzky became the first hockey player and first Canadian to be named Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year. In the consistory of June 1977, he was named a cardinal by Pope Paul VI. Later that season, Gretzky broke Esposito's record for most goals in a season (76) on February 24, 1982 scoring four goals to help beat the Buffalo Sabres, 6-3. He took as his episcopal motto Cooperatores Veritatis, co-workers of the Truth, from 3 John: 8, a choice he comments upon in his autobiographical work, Milestones. His 50th goal of the season came on December 30, 1981 in the final seconds of a 7-5 win against Philadelphia and was his fifth of the game.

In March 1977, Ratzinger was appointed Archbishop of Munich and Freising. Set by Maurice "Rocket" Richard during the 1944-45 NHL season and tied by Mike Bossy during the 1980-81 NHL season, Gretzky accomplished the feat in only 39 games. Until his election as Pope, he remained one of the journal's most prolific contributors. During the 1981-82, he surpassed one of the game's most cherished records: 50 goals in 50 games. Communio, now published in seventeen editions (German, English, Spanish and many others), has become a prominent journal of Catholic thought. He won his second straight Hart Trophy. In 1972, he founded the theological journal Communio with Hans Urs von Balthasar, Henri de Lubac, Walter Kasper and others. In his second season, Gretzky won the Art Ross Trophy (the first of seven consecutive ^[5]) with a then-record 164 points, breaking both Bobby Orr's record for assists in a season and Phil Esposito's record for points in a season.

Increasingly, his views, despite his reformist bent, contrasted with those liberal ideas gaining currency theological circles.^[2] In 1969, he returned to Bavaria, to the University of Regensburg. The rule was later changed. Ratzinger came increasingly to see these and associated developments (such as decreasing respect for authority among his students, the rise of the German gay rights movement) as related to a departure from traditional Catholic teachings. He became the youngest player to score 50 goals but was not eligible for the Calder Memorial Trophy, given to the top NHL rookie, because of his previous year of professional experience. During this time, he distanced himself from the atmosphere of Tübingen and the Marxist leanings of the student movement of the 1960s, that in Germany quickly radicalised in the years 1967 and 1968, culminating in a series of disturbances and riots in April and May 1968. He was awarded the Hart Memorial Trophy as the League's Most Valuable Player (the first of eight in a row ^[4]) and tied for the scoring lead with Marcel Dionne with 137 points, which remains the most points by a first-year player. These sentences, however, did not appear in later editions of the book. In his first NHL season, 1979-80, Gretzky proved his critics wrong.

He also wrote that the Church of the time was too centralized, rule-bound and overly controlled from Rome. ^[3]. In his 1968 book Introduction to Christianity, he wrote that the pope has a duty to hear differing voices within the Church before making a decision, and downplayed the centrality of the papacy. Gretzky's success in the WHA carried over into the NHL, despite some critics suggesting he would flounder in what was considered a bigger, tougher, and more talented NHL. In 1966, he was appointed to a chair in dogmatic theology at the University of Tübingen, where he was a colleague of Hans Küng. After the World Hockey Association folded in 1979, four teams, including the Edmonton Oilers, joined the National Hockey League. (Later, as the Prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Ratzinger most clearly spelled out the Catholic Church's position on other religions in the document Dominus Iesus (2000) which also talks about the proper way to engage in ecumenical dialogue.). That would be Gretzky's only season in the WHA, which folded following the Avco World Trophy finals.

He was viewed during the time of the Council as a reformer. Gretzky would go on to capture the Lou Kaplan Trophy for rookie of the year, finish third in league scoring (110 points), and help the Oilers to first overall in the league. At the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965), Ratzinger served as a peritus or theological consultant to Josef Cardinal Frings of Cologne, Germany, and has continued to defend the council, including Nostra Aetate, the document on respect of other religions and the declaration of the right to religious freedom. On Gretzky's 18th birthday, the 26th of January, 1979, Pocklington signed him to a 21-year personal services contract (the longest in hockey history) worth $4-5 million US. Ratzinger became a professor at the University of Bonn in 1959; his inaugural lecture was on "The God of Faith and the God of Philosophy." In 1963, he moved to the University of Münster, where his inaugural lecture was given in a packed lecture hall, as he was already well known as a theologian. Paying $700,000, Pocklington purchased Gretzky as well as two other Indianapolis players, goaltender Eddie Mio and forward Peter Driscoll, although the announced price was actually $850,000. It was completed in 1957 and he became a professor of Freising College in 1958. He sold Gretzky to his former partner and then-owner of the WHA's Edmonton Oilers Peter Pocklington.

His Habilitationsschrift (which qualified him for a professorship) was on Bonaventure. Only eight games into the 1978-79 WHA season, Skalbania needed money. Joseph Ratzinger's dissertation (1953) was on Augustine, entitled "The People and the House of God in Augustine's Doctrine of the Church". Knowing that the WHA was fading, Skalbania felt owning the young star was more valuable than owning a WHA team. They were both ordained on June 29, 1951 by Michael Cardinal von Faulhaber of Munich. Racers owner Nelson Skalbania signed the 17-year-old to a personal contract worth between 1.12 and 1.75 million dollars US over 1 to 2 years. Following repatriation in 1945, the two brothers entered Saint Michael Seminary in Traunstein, and then studied at the Ducal Georgianum (Herzogliches Georgianum) of the Ludwig-Maximilian University in Munich. The National Hockey League (NHL) does not allow the signing of players under the age of 18, but the WHA had no rules regarding such signings.

The family was reunited when his brother, Georg, returned after being repatriated from a prisoner-of-war camp in Italy. The following year (1978-79) he signed with the Indianapolis Racers of the World Hockey Association (WHA) as an underaged player. Ratzinger was briefly interned in an Allied prisoner-of-war camp near Ulm and was repatriated on June 19, 1945. ^[2]. His unit served at various posts around the city and was never sent to the front. At Coach Muzz MacPherson's suggestion, Gretzky settled on 99. He was eventually drafted into the German army at Munich to receive basic infantry training in the nearby town of Traunstein. He had originally wanted to wear number 9 — for his hero Gordie Howe — but it was already being worn by another teammate named Brian Gualazzi.

After his class was released from the Corps in September 1944, Ratzinger was put to work setting up anti-tank defences in the Hungarian border area of Austria in preparation for the expected Red Army offensive. While playing for the Greyhounds, he began wearing the number 99 on his jersey. In 1943, when he was 16, Ratzinger was drafted with many of his classmates into the Luftwaffenhelfer programme. Marie Greyhounds. According to one of Ratzinger's biographers, the National Catholic Reporter correspondent John Allen, he was an unenthusiastic member who refused to attend meetings. He played a season in the Ontario Hockey League at the age of 16 with the Sault Ste. Following his 14th birthday in 1941, Ratzinger joined the Hitler Youth, membership of which was legally required from December 1936^[1]. At 14, playing against 20-year-olds, he left Brantford to further his career and signed with his first agent.

Struck by the Cardinal's distinctive costume, later that day he announced he wanted to be a cardinal. At age 10 he scored 378 goals and 139 assists in 85 games, and the first story on him was published in the Toronto Telegram. At the age of five, Ratzinger was in a group of children who welcomed the visiting Cardinal Archbishop of Munich with flowers. At age 6 he was skating with 10-year-olds. The pope's relatives agree that his priestly vocation was apparent from boyhood. ^[1] Taught by his father Walter, Gretzky was a classic prodigy. His sister, Maria Ratzinger, who never married, managed Cardinal Ratzinger's household until her death in 1991. Gretzky's grandfather emigrated to Canada at the beginning of the 20th century from the town of Mogilev in Belarus.

Pope Benedict's brother, Georg, a priest and former director of the Regensburger Domspatzen choir, is still alive. . He was the third and youngest child of Joseph Ratzinger, Sr., a police officer, and Maria Ratzinger (née Peintner). He also became part owner of the Phoenix Coyotes in 2000 and following the 2004-05 NHL lockout became their head coach. He was baptized the same day. He retired from playing in 1999, becoming Executive Director for the Canadian national men's hockey team during the 2002 Winter Olympics. Joseph Alois Ratzinger was born on 16th April, Holy Saturday, 1927 at Schulstrasse 11, his parents' home in Marktl am Inn, Bavaria. He was the only player to total over 200 points in a season, accomplishing the feat 4 times; in addition he tallied over 100 points in 15 seasons, 14 of them consecutively.

He plays the piano and has a preference for Mozart and Beethoven. He set 40 regular season records (including 9 MVP awards and 10 scoring titles), 15 playoff records, 6 All-Star records and won four Stanley Cups. He is a member of a large number of academies, such as the French Académie des sciences morales et politiques. Identified as a hockey prodigy at a young age, Gretzky regularly played at a level far above his peers, eventually becoming a full professional at the age of 17 in the World Hockey Association, leading to a long career in the National Hockey League. He can read ancient Greek and biblical Hebrew. Among his many awards and achievements, he is the only player to ever have his playing number, 99, officially retired across the entire National Hockey League. Benedict speaks fluently his native German, and also Italian, French, English, Spanish and Latin. Born in Brantford, Ontario, Canada, he is known as "The Great One", and is regarded as one of the greatest hockey players ever to play the game and the best of his era.

Benedict XVI's views appear to be similar to those of his predecessor in maintaining the traditional Catholic doctrines on artificial birth control, abortion, and homosexuality while promoting Catholic social teaching. Wayne Douglas Gretzky, OC (born January 26, 1961) is a former professional ice hockey player and is currently part-owner and head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes. He was the public face of the church in much of the sede vacante period, although technically he ranked below the camerlengo in administrative authority during that time. NHL Second All-Star Team-1980, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1994, 1997, 1998. As Dean of the College of Cardinals he presided over the funeral of John Paul II and also over the Mass immediately preceding the 2005 conclave in which he was elected, in which he called on the assembled cardinals to hold fast to the doctrine of the faith. NHL First All-Star Team-1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1991. Before becoming pope, Cardinal Ratzinger was already one of the most influential men in the Roman Curia, and was a close associate of the late John Paul II. NHL All-Star Game MVP-1983, 1989, 1999.

He was the first Dean of the College elected pope since Paul IV in 1555 and the first cardinal bishop elected pope since Pius VIII in 1829. Lester Patrick Trophy (outstanding service to hockey in the United States) -1994. In 1998, he became sub-dean of the College of Cardinals and on November 30, 2002, dean, adding also as is custom the title of Cardinal bishop of the suburbicarian diocese of Ostia. Chrysler-Dodge/NHL Performer of the Year -1985, 1986, 1987. He was appointed Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith by Pope John Paul II in 1981 and was also assigned the honorific title of the cardinal bishop of the suburbicarian diocese of Velletri-Segni on April 5, 1993. NHL Plus/Minus Award (best plus-minus rating) -1982, 1984, 1985, 1987. Born in Bavaria, Germany, Benedict had a distinguished career as a university theologian before being appointed Archbishop of Munich and Freising by Pope Paul VI, and very shortly afterwards made a cardinal in the consistory of June 27, 1977. Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (most gentlemanly player) -1980, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1999.

The last pope named Benedict was Benedict XV, an Italian who reigned from 1914 to 1922, during World War I. Pearson Award (outstanding player, voted by the players) -1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987. He is the ninth German pope, the last being the Dutch-German Adrian VI (1522–1523). Lester B. He served longer as a cardinal before being elected pope than did any pope since Benedict XIII (elected 1724). Conn Smythe Trophy (playoff most valuable player) - 1985, 1988. He is the oldest person to have been elected pope since Clement XII in 1730. Art Ross Trophy (scoring champion) -1981, 1982 ,1983 ,1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1994.

Pope Benedict XVI was elected pope at the age of 78. Hart Memorial Trophy (most valuable player) -1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989. . During his papacy, Benedict XVI has particularly emphasized what he sees as a need for Europe to return to fundamental Christian values, in response to increasing de-Christianization and secularization in many developed countries, where secular humanism is influential. At the time of his election as Pope, he was Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and Dean of the College of Cardinals.

He served as a professor at various German universities, and was a theological expert at the Second Vatican Council before becoming Archbishop of Munich and Freising and Cardinal. One of the best-known theologians since the 1960s and a prolific author, he is viewed as a close conservative ally of his predecessor, Pope John Paul II. John Lateran, on May 7, 2005. He was elected on April 19, 2005 in a papal conclave, celebrated his Papal Inauguration Mass on April 24, 2005, and took possession of his cathedral, the Basilica of St.

XVI), born Joseph Alois Ratzinger on April 16, 1927 in Marktl am Inn, Bavaria, Germany, is the 265th and reigning pope, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, and sovereign of Vatican City State. Pope Benedict XVI (Latin: Benedictus PP. On August 21, he led a mass at Marienfeld with about one million youths present. He also spoke with representatives of the Muslim and Protestant communities of Cologne.