Letters to the Editor: Benedict represented a repressive church

The coffin of late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is placed at St. Peter's Square for a funeral mass.

The lasting legacy of the late Pope Benedict XVI was not just his resignation as Pope in 2013 but the influence he exerted over the direction of the Catholic Church for 22 years from being head of the supremely powerful Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith until his resignation as Pope.

During these years he consolidated immense personal power which he used to ruthlessly silence dissent and theological opinion different from his own. He will be remembered for his silencing of at least 7 Irish priests because of their open-minded views on gay people and the ordination of women. It was not just Irish theologians who were silenced and excommunicated but over a hundred international liberation theologians as well.