Originally Posted by Vorkosigan

Doudna's story says that Ratzinger prevented him from obtaining his PHD, something that I know from personal experience here in Taiwan that physical presence is unnecessary for.

Originally Posted by Thomas L. Thompson

Dear [my name],

All that I wish to make public about my conflict with Ratzinger was published in the preface of my 1999 book, The Mythic Past. If you do write a review of my latest book.
Ratzinger did not leave Tübingen until the mid-70s. The exact date can be traced in his CV after his appointment as Archbishop of Munich.
In the German system current in 1971 when I submitted my dissertation, the process for the degree of Dr. Theol. Required an evaluation of the dissertation, followed some months later by oral examinations in all of the theological disciplines--in my case, set in February 1972. My dissertation was accepted by the faculty with the evaluation of summa cum laude. Hans Küng had been my teacher in "dogmatic theology". However, as he was on sabbatical leave at the time, my examination was taken over by Ratzinger, Küng's colleague. As was customary, the candidate visited each examiner some 1-2 months before the examination to discuss and agree on the subjects which would be taken up in the examination. When I met with Ratzinger, he told me that a Catholic could not write the dissertation I had written and expect to receive a degree at the University of Tübingen. When we met in February for the oral examination, I failed the examination.
Five years later, I received a PhD degree in ancient Near Eastern Religions (concentrations in Ancient Near East, Old Testament and New Testament) from Temple University in Philadelphia (June, 1976).
All of the above, except for the private conversation with Ratzinger is a matter of public record.
Sincerely,
Thomas L. Thompson