Cardinal Ratzinger is perhaps the most visible member of the Catholic clergy in the world, second only to the Pope. In addition, his status as the head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has made him one of the most controversial churchmen in recent history. On the occasion of the Cardinal's seventy-fifth birthday, his former students have selected essays, lectures, letters, and conferences that Ratzinger has written in recent years-writing that they feel best represents the position of the Cardinal on issues of theology, the modern world, secularism, non-Christian religions, and other key topics of the Catholic Church. This book, characterized by Ratzinger's concisely reasoned style, is an invaluable resource to those who wish to understand the modern Church, as well as a treasured volume for those who are students of Ratzinger’s theology.