The fact that the church is convinced of not having the right to confer priestly ordination on women is now considered by some as irreconcilable with the European Constitution. – Joseph Ratzinger
Standards of conduct appropriate to civil society or the workings of a democracy cannot be purely and simply applied to the Church. – Joseph Ratzinger
We must have great respect for these people who also suffer and who want to find their own way of correct living. On the other hand, to create a legal form of a kind of homosexual marriage, in reality, does not help these people. – Joseph Ratzinger
A just laicism allows religious freedom. The state does not impose religion but rather gives space to religions with a responsibility toward civil society, and therefore it allows these religions to be factors in building up society. – Joseph Ratzinger