Pope Benedict XVI 'to resign'

[Other_Eric]

Excuse me? And you are in a positiin to ascertain this?

I make no mention of the pope’s subjective culpability in this matter. I refer only to the objective content of this exercise of the pope’s temporal authority, a power not covered by infallibility. Just like any other objective evil, the faithful are not only in a position to call it for what it is when they recognize it, but are under a moral obligation to do so.

 

[meltzerboy]

Because this resignation sets a dangerous precedent for all this pope’s successors and has the all-too-real potential to scandalize the faithful.

Do you mean like the precedent that was set 600 years ago and NOT followed until now? I’m sure we won’t have the phenomenon of copycat Popes who resign frivolously, just as I’m sure the current Pope thought about his decision long and hard before acting upon it. IOW, Pope Benedict is too intelligent a man not to have considered the consequences of his resignation.

 

[BroomWagon]

You have no idea why he is resigning. He could have end-stage terminal cancer for all we know. It is within the Pope’s rights to retire when he believes that he can no longer fulfill his duties properly. If it were scandalous or dangerous, it would not be permitted.

This is the brother of the Pope. I see…

 

[stormcloud]

Because this resignation sets a dangerous precedent for all this pope’s successors and has the all-too-real potential to scandalize the faithful.

He’s not setting a precedent. It’s happened before, just not for 600 years. While I admire and am inspired by Pope John Paul’s example of a suffering servant, I respect and can understand Pope Benedict’s decision as well. Because of the state of today’s society, we need a Pope who has a lot of energy in order to adequately address the issues and shepherd the flock. Doctors have already put restrictions on Pope Benedict’s travels and if he feels he does not have what it takes physically to do what needs to be done I have faith in that and I have faith in God’s providence.

 

[cheezey]

Folks, have faith.

God knows what He is doing.

 

[pnewton]

Because this resignation sets a dangerous precedent for all this pope’s successors and has the all-too-real potential to scandalize the faithful.

I trust both the charism of the office and the full-awareness of the situation of over the conjecture of anyone and everyone.

If it sets a precident, then I trust that this is a new direction the Holy Spirit leads us. Resignation has been a moot issue for centuries. The is no way to use the past as a guideline to our unique position.

 

[Kit15]

Retirement which I believe he very much looked forward to before becoming Pope.

Just yesterday I was contemplating that…looking forward to finally resting for his final years and then being called to this and accepting it! Talk about dying to yourself. And I was just filled with such admiration for the man because let’s face it…in our human weakness that really STINKS. And I was just praying God would cut him a break…let him rest… Today I hear this.

I have faith. My world was shaken when JPIi died. He was the only pope I had ever known. If another good pope can follow him, then I think another good pope can follow Benedict.

 

[CutlerB]

No, that’s his brother.

 

[BroomWagon]

Just yesterday I was contemplating that…looking forward to finally resting for his final years and then being called to this and accepting it! Talk about dying to yourself. And I was just filled with such admiration for the man because let’s face it…in our human weakness that really STINKS. And I was just praying God would cut him a break…let him rest… Today I hear this.

I have faith. My world was shaken when JPIi died. He was the only pope I had ever known. If another good pope can follow him, then I think another good pope can follow Benedict.

You knew Pope John Paul II, if all of us could be so fortunate.

 

[Other_Eric]

Do you mean like the precedent that was set 600 years ago and NOT followed until now? I’m sure we won’t have the phenomenon of copycat Popes who resign frivolously, just as I’m sure the current Pope thought about his decision long and hard before acting upon it. IOW, Pope Benedict is too intelligent a man not to have considered the consequences of his resignation.

The precedent set by Gregory XII in 1415 was explicitly calculated to heal the Western Schism, which it did. There is no comparable schism today, nor is there any indication of the danger of such. Therefore, you are talking about an entirely different situation. Preserving the unity of Christ’s Church is wholly different than using pretty language to, in effect, say, “I don’t feel like being pope anymore.”

 

[BroomWagon]

Using a cane is no conclusive evidence, still gives one a pause to reflect on, the man can remember World War II, this is a very long time, he’s 85 I think.

 

[Joe_5859]

I am both happy and sad. I absolutely love Benedict and I will miss him dearly. But it is also exciting to see what direction the Holy Spirit will take the Church next.

I find it somewhat amusing that people still keep mentioning Cardinal Arinze as a top contender. He’s past the age to participate in a conclave. It ain’t gonna happen. That train has left the station.

I know that I like to speculate and guess and try to figure things out. But truly, I think it’s always helpful to remind ourselves that all of the predictors and prognosticators have absolutely no idea what they’re talking about. The Holy Spirit is at work and – as today’s news illustrates – He is full of surprises. Expect the unexpected.

That said, it is fun to consider the “papabile”.

 

[Santi2]

I don’t understand the negative reactions here, Pope Benedict XVI is quite old and I doubt he would be resigning if he thought it would do damage to the Church, I think in his view, his resignation might be best for the Church if he thinks he cannot adequately rise up to the demands of the office in his advanced age.

Thank you. Still, I do not think I have ever cried as much as I have today for any Pope. I have previously mentioned that God gives us the Pope we need in our lifetime. And, what a terrific companion the Holy Father has been all this time as I mature in faith! In the same way that one appreciates good teachers in one’s lifetime and what one learns from them, I am ever so grateful. No doubt, the Holy Father will keep on writing and I look forward to reading them all.

In the meantime, one prays for the Holy Father.

 

[BroomWagon]

EWTN on this live.

 

[Other_Eric]

I trust both the charism of the office and the full-awareness of the situation of over the conjecture of anyone and everyone.

If it sets a precident, then I trust that this is a new direction the Holy Spirit leads us. Resignation has been a moot issue for centuries. The is no way to use the past as a guideline to our unique position.

Let me make this crystal clear: the issue of the pope’s resignation is not a legal question, it’s a moral question. Just because you’re legally able to do a thing doesn’t make it right.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

PRAY like you’ve never prayed before!

Every day, we should pray like we’ve always prayed before!

 

[Tigg]

Folks, have faith.

God knows what He is doing.

All we can do is trust and pray and the frivolous comments on this thread we’ll just chalk up to those not well versed in Church history, Catholic prophecy or current events in the Catholic world.

I would suggest, however, starting the day with the St. Michael the Archangel prayer.

 

[Joe_5859]

Jimmy Akin made a good point that the increased demands of the papacy coupled with the increased life expectancy seem likely to yield more situations like this going forward.

Think of it. With the advent of quick international travel and global communications, the Pope’s schedule has to be much more intense than it used to be.

I think it does set a precedent, in much the same way that electing John Paul II set a precedent for non-Italian popes. But it doesn’t have to be a bad thing. I like what Fr. Longnecker said: "The Catholic Church has a tradition of selecting elderly ‘caretaker popes’ who end up being ‘history making popes’.” Too true.

I don’t hold it against him one little bit. I will miss him terribly, but I completely respect his decision. May God bless him abundantly.

 

[HickmanJosh]

Its probably best to stay away from secular news commentaries and columns on this, invariably what you will hear and read is “the church needs to get with the times” “outdated doctrine” “younger Pope”. Let the Holy Spirit do what He wills, God knows better than any what the Church needs. :knight2:

 

[TheRealJuliane]

Let me make this crystal clear: the issue of the pope’s resignation is not a legal question, it’s a moral question. Just because you’re legally able to do a thing doesn’t make it right.

Oh for Pete’s sake.

Just stop already.