Absolutely correct, Dennis!  With Joseph Ratzinger/Pope Benedict, defending ideology was more important that exegesis.  For example, in publishing his book, JESUS OF NAZARETH: THE INFANCY NARRATIVES, Ratzinger gave very little evidence of any ongoing engagement with the critical issues raised about the complex biblical material in the decades since Vatican Council II.  Although Ratzinger, was heavily involved with the principles  developed in the Document 'Dei Verbum,' he seemed to disregard those very principals in writing this book or in supporting certain works by other theologians/scripture scholars.  In other words, to Ratzinger, it did not matter how much critical evidence is presented to support a thesis, one must up-hold the official line as had been given.  No new insights or understanding was permitted.
----------------------
Joseph Ratzinger, JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE INFANCY NARRATIVES, trans. Philip J. Whitmore [London: Burns & Oates, 2012]