Non-Catholic reactions to Pope Benedict's resignation.

[Good_Fella]

Couldn’t have put it better myself “Good Fella” -of course I didn’t mean “coerce”, I really meant,

and in so doing, God causes the person to examine their conscience to try to identify the reason for the chastisement, as was (apparently) the case for Jonah:

God does have His ways for drawing our attention to His will for us.

And I have seen a comment on this Forum regarding Pope Benedict XVI that it is not impossible for him to be re-elected, is that correct?

No, it isn’t impossible, but highly unlikely, unless the cardinals are prepared to put God to the test by tacitly demanding a miracle. Meanwhile, the dean of the College of Cardinals must ask for the consent of the one who has been elected Pope, so the one who is elected, or relected as would be the case with Joseph Ratzinger, has the right to refuse, if he honestly feels he is not up to the heavy task and is in no healthy condition to meet all the responsibilities of the papacy for the good of the Church.

In his Apostolic Constitution, *Romano Dominici Gregis *(an update on the regulations concerning papal conclaves), Pope John Paul ll adds: “I also ask the one who is elected not to refuse for fear of its weight, the office to which he has been called, but to submit humbly to the design of the divine will. God, who imposes the burden, will sustain him with his hand so that he will be able to bear it. In conferring the heavy task upon him, God will also help him accomplish it and, in giving him the dignity, he will grant him the strength not to be overwhelmed by the weight of his office” [RDG No. 86].

If God decides to remove his sustaining hand and withold the strength Pope Benedict needs to carry out his tasks at his advanced age, the College of Cardinals should see this as a sign from God that it is time for a new Pope, but not because Pope Benedict had failed the Lord. God did not remove the Pontiff from the chair of St. Peter as he did King Saul for David’s ascension to the throne. Whatever purpose God has had in mind for Pope Benedict has been fulfilled at the age of 85 before his death. Pope John Paul ll faithfully accomplished all he was called to do when he passed away at the age of 84. God did grant Pope Benedict the strength he needed to accomplish all that He had wanted him to. God’s hidden intentions shall come to light after the election of the next Pope, who will be better equipped both physically and mentally to handle the challenging tasks our Lord has in store for him.

PAX

 

[stevekehl]

It has been stated that there is a former convent on the Vatican grounds that is currently being remodeled for the Pope.

Once he leaves office, at 8pm on the 28, his title will go back to Cardinal Ratzinger. There has been talk of a title of “Pope Emeritus”, but I don’t know if that his true or not.

It is believed he will live out his days within the walls of Vatican City, he may continue writing, etc. but will not have any public duties, and the chances of him hitting the lecture circuit are extremely unlikely.

He will not vote in the upcoming conclave. He is not eligible to be reelected Pope.

Of course, once the new Pontiff is selected, he of course will submit to the will of that Pope. Although, I believe the new Pope will let him live out his days in peace and quiet, as planned.

Thanks.

 

[shipwrkd]

I can’t imagine what the responsibility of the Office of Pope must feel like.

I would imagine it must be one of the most physically, emotionally and spiritually demanding jobs out there.

I admire him for his integrity to do what he feels is best for the Church and the world wide congregation of Catholics he leads.

It must have taken an enormous amount of personal courage - and I have nothing but admiration for people of integrity and courage.

To the extent this has upset some of my Catholic friends, I feel great empathy with them, and my heart goes out to them. I can understand the shock it must have been.

But I hope they can take heart in the fact the Pope is doing what he feels led to do in their best interest and the interest of the Church as a whole, and trust this is the right decision.

And in this, I hope they can take some measure of comfort.

Sarah x

Your a Class Act, Sarah.

 

[ephesians4]

Did God determine or appoint Adolf Hitler, Josef Stalin, and Pol Pot? If so, we have God to thank and praise for all the suffering and death these dictators brought upon humankind.

PAX

I’m not sure this logic makes sense. If an ordinary person who is given a human life chooses to do something terrible, we do not attribute this to God or say it is of God, because they have been given free will and rules to abide by.

By the same logic any gift you are given is yours to do good or evil with, isn’t it? That is unless we hold that this particular type of person lacks free will.

If they did lack free will, a person out of their own control doing evil would seem like a triumph for the enemy more than anything else, wouldn’t it?

 

[Good_Fella]

I’m not sure this logic makes sense. If an ordinary person who is given a human life chooses to do something terrible, we do not attribute this to God or say it is of God, because they have been given free will and rules to abide by.

Agreed. God gave us a free will to choose what is good and the moral law to direct us on a righteous path.

By the same logic any gift you are given is yours to do good or evil with, isn’t it? That is unless we hold that this particular type of person lacks free will.

Yes, God determines our gifts and natural abilities, permitting room for chance within His providential order, but God leaves it up to us to decide how to make use of them. Hitler, for instance, had political talent, but his rise to power and its exercise were unethical. We should respect our leaders for the sake of the good of their office, but we aren’t expected to tolerate its abuse.

If they did lack free will, a person out of their own control doing evil would seem like a triumph for the enemy more than anything else, wouldn’t it?

If Hitler and Stalin didn’t have free will and acted as creatures programmed by God, any triumph would belong to God, who in the case of this kind of created order would be the author of evil. But the problem of evil in our world is another topic.

PAX

 

[VDMA]

canadianlutheran.ca/thoughts-on-the-retirement-of-the-professor-pope/

 

[JonNC]

canadianlutheran.ca/thoughts-on-the-retirement-of-the-professor-pope/

I enjoyed this. I have the same sense of Pope Emeritus Benedict. As I said earlier, of all the popes, he seems to have the most solid, non-polemical undersatanding of Luther and Lutheranism. I truly believe that if there is to be closer ties between Rome and confessional Lutheranism, it is in large measure because of the SPirit’s work through P.E. Benedict. May he be blessed.

Jon

 

[ufamtobie]

I really have no thought or opinion on the event itself. No significance to my life.

I find the quote interesting as he seems to be asking Mary to do more than intercede to Christ, but to actually assist in the selection. Much different than I hear people say her role is here in this forum. “We just ask her to pray for us like.”

rbarcia, The Baby leapt in Elizabeths womb when he heard Mary’s voice, how much more will Our Lord leap for Joy when we ask Mary His Mother, to assist the Cardinals to elect a new Pope.

Ufam Tobie

 

[Good_Fella]

rbarcia, The Baby leapt in Elizabeths womb when he heard Mary’s voice, how much more will Our Lord leap for Joy when we ask Mary His Mother, to assist the Cardinals to elect a new Pope.

Ufam Tobie

Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholemew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) and said, "Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. He was one of our number and shared in our ministry…

“For,” said Peter, "It is written in the Book of Psalms:

"‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,’

and

"‘May another take his place of leadership.’

Therefore it is necessary to choose on of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, beginning from John’s baptism to the time Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection."

So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
Acts 1, 12-26

All the believers, including Mary, assisted the apostles in the election of Matthias by joining in with their prayers. Today the entire Church participates with the College of Cardinals in the election of Pope Benedict’s successor through prayer, including the saints who have gone before us in Christ’s mystical body. Our Blessed Mother’s prayers are immeasurably more efficacious than those of all the saints and angels combined in the order of grace by virtue of her divine maternity. Thus we cannot do without her assistance. Mary leads the way in our joint prayers to her divine Son. So together with her, let us all pray that the Lord shall reveal whom he has chosen to lead his Church.

PAX