Pope Benedict XVI 'to resign'

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agnes_therese said:
Blessed John Paul II gave us an example of how to meet death. And now his successor shows us how to accept aging gracefully and, most importantly, with humility.
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It is interesting that they both can show the same thing by opposite actions. For all their familiarity with each other, they were really very different people and had two very different papacies.
 
Here is what Scott Hahn has posted on his Facebook site:

"Back on April 29, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI did something rather striking, but which went largely unnoticed.

He stopped off in Aquila, Italy, and visited the tomb of an obscure medieval Pope named St. Celestine V (1215-1296). After a brief prayer, he left his pallium, the symbol of his own episcopal authority as Bishop of Rome, on top of Celestine’s tomb!

Fifteen months later, on July 4, 2010, Benedict went out of his way again, this time to visit and pray in the cathedral of Sulmona, near Rome, before the relics of this same saint, Celestine V.

Few people, however, noticed at the time.

Only now, we may be gaining a better understanding of what it meant. These actions were probably more than pious acts. More likely, they were profound and symbolic gestures of a very personal nature, which conveyed a message that a Pope can hardly deliver any other way.

In the year 1294, this man (Fr. Pietro Angelerio), known by all as a devout and holy priest, was elected Pope, somewhat against his will, shortly before his 80th birthday (Ratzinger was 78 when he was elected Pope in 2005). Just five months later, after issuing a formal decree allowing popes to resign (or abdicate, like other rulers), Pope Celestine V exercised that right. And now Pope Benedict XVI has chosen to follow in the footsteps of this venerable model."
 
agnes_therese said:
Realistically accepting his declining strength is in no way scandalizing the faithful.

Blessed John Paul II gave us an example of how to meet death. And now his successor shows us how to accept aging gracefully and, most importantly, with humility.
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Totally agree. No reason to be shocked, stunned, or sadden by the news. Most at 85 have long since entered into retirement. Correct me if i’m wrong, but aren’t Bishop’s required to submit a letter of resignation at the age of 70 and when appropriate, the Pope accepts it?

During my years away from the church, I was fascinated with the Papal Conclave following the death of Blessed JPII and now that I’ve returned to the church, the upcoming Pap Conclave will be exiciting to follow.
 
bpcatholic said:
Here is what Scott Hahn has posted on his Facebook site:

"Back on April 29, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI did something rather striking, but which went largely unnoticed.

He stopped off in Aquila, Italy, and visited the tomb of an obscure medieval Pope named St. Celestine V (1215-1296). After a brief prayer, he left his pallium, the symbol of his own episcopal authority as Bishop of Rome, on top of Celestine’s tomb!

Fifteen months later, on July 4, 2010, Benedict went out of his way again, this time to visit and pray in the cathedral of Sulmona, near Rome, before the relics of this same saint, Celestine V.

Few people, however, noticed at the time.

Only now, we may be gaining a better understanding of what it meant. These actions were probably more than pious acts. More likely, they were profound and symbolic gestures of a very personal nature, which conveyed a message that a Pope can hardly deliver any other way.

In the year 1294, this man (Fr. Pietro Angelerio), known by all as a devout and holy priest, was elected Pope, somewhat against his will, shortly before his 80th birthday (Ratzinger was 78 when he was elected Pope in 2005). Just five months later, after issuing a formal decree allowing popes to resign (or abdicate, like other rulers), Pope Celestine V exercised that right. And now Pope Benedict XVI has chosen to follow in the footsteps of this venerable model."
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Wow very interesting! EWTN is beginning a thanksgiving Rosary now for his service. Please join everyone! I must say this move has inspired me to take this Lenten season more seriously.
 
bpcatholic said:
Here is what Scott Hahn has posted on his Facebook site:

"Back on April 29, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI did something rather striking, but which went largely unnoticed.

He stopped off in Aquila, Italy, and visited the tomb of an obscure medieval Pope named St. Celestine V (1215-1296). After a brief prayer, he left his pallium, the symbol of his own episcopal authority as Bishop of Rome, on top of Celestine’s tomb!

Fifteen months later, on July 4, 2010, Benedict went out of his way again, this time to visit and pray in the cathedral of Sulmona, near Rome, before the relics of this same saint, Celestine V.

Few people, however, noticed at the time.

Only now, we may be gaining a better understanding of what it meant. These actions were probably more than pious acts. More likely, they were profound and symbolic gestures of a very personal nature, which conveyed a message that a Pope can hardly deliver any other way.

In the year 1294, this man (Fr. Pietro Angelerio), known by all as a devout and holy priest, was elected Pope, somewhat against his will, shortly before his 80th birthday (Ratzinger was 78 when he was elected Pope in 2005). Just five months later, after issuing a formal decree allowing popes to resign (or abdicate, like other rulers), Pope Celestine V exercised that right. And now Pope Benedict XVI has chosen to follow in the footsteps of this venerable model."
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We were talking about this on another thread! 👍
 
Other_Eric said:
Ignorant I may be, nevertheless, the pope has failed to provide sufficient evidence to justify the moral character of his resignation. I am both open to and would be happy to receive any information which would cause me to change my mind in this regard. As it stands, we just don’t have it. Therefore, based on the reasons provided so far by the pope, I judge them insufficient to merit what Paul VI would have called an abdication of paternity.
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You are not entitled to view the private medical records of His Holiness, and he does not owe you a detailed explanation. He’s elderly, frail and unwell. Do you not trust that his reasons are very serious ones? I doubt he made the decision flippantly. God bless him for realizing he could no longer be an effective pontiff.
 
Other_Eric said:
Ignorant I may be, nevertheless, the pope has failed to provide sufficient evidence to justify the moral character of his resignation. I am both open to and would be happy to receive any information which would cause me to change my mind in this regard. As it stands, we just don’t have it. Therefore, based on the reasons provided so far by the pope, I judge them insufficient to merit what Paul VI would have called an abdication of paternity.
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At least when I was lapsed I didn’t dare to JUDGE what the Church did…

:rolleyes:

I didn’t care at that point what the Church did. Thank God He was waiting for me all the time.

I will pray for you.
 
For people for whom, this is their first or second pope they have lived under, let me say from one who has lived under six popes, know that the Church will survive as popes come and go (I know that sounds cruel, but that’s the truth)

For those who think this is the worst of days — where is the faith that is needed in times of change?

For those who are trying to put a “spin” on this – will the next pope be conservative? liberal? in the middle? orthodox? yada, yada, yada – trust in the Lord’s providence to lead us in the way HE wants, not you’re own personal agenda

For those who are jumping on conspiracy theories – take off the aluminum foil from your head, stop watching reruns of the X-Files, get off the internet, interact with real flesh and blood people for a change, and get a grip :eek:
 
Other_Eric said:
Ignorant I may be, nevertheless, the pope has failed to provide sufficient evidence to justify the moral character of his resignation. I am both open to and would be happy to receive any information which would cause me to change my mind in this regard. As it stands, we just don’t have it. Therefore, based on the reasons provided so far by the pope, I judge them insufficient to merit what Paul VI would have called an abdication of paternity.
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As has been stated before, canon law clearly allows for the resignation of a pope. Canon law does not allow immoral actions, therefore, regardless of the evidence you feel you have received it is moral for him to resign.
 
TheRealJuliane said:
At least when I was lapsed I didn’t dare to JUDGE what the Church did…

:rolleyes:

I didn’t care at that point what the Church did. Thank God He was waiting for me all the time.

I will pray for you.
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This comes down to maybe, maybe not but there is a whole whole lot more to discuss than this one issue and I’m going to look at other issues, as someone said, it is exciting to conceive of what direction inspired by the Holy Spirit the Church will take.

Afterall, until about 30 years ago, the Pontiffs at least in Modern Time were mostly all Italian, that’s a precedent that does not still stand, yes, I know a long long time ago, there must have been Popes from other countries. I think I have that right.
 
There are nasty comments on twitter already (some are extremely vile or so I read about!). So I do wish Papa Benedict the best.
 
How do they calculate these odds? Am shocked Cadinal Ouellet said that about abortion

Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet among frontrunners to replace Pope Benedict XVI
Cardinal Marc Ouellet, formally the archbishop of Quebec City, has the best odds of replacing Pope Benedict XVI according to an Irish betting site, at 11 to 4.
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Cardinal Ouellet, 68, is the head of the Congregation for Bishops, essentially the Vatican’s top staff director. He was once quoted saying being the pope “would be a nightmare.”
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He also told Quebec City’s Le Soleil newspaper that a pope’s duties “are perhaps not very enviable” adding a pope’s responsibilities are “crushing.”
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He set off a media firestorm in Canada in 2010 when he said he could support abortion even in cases of rape because of Catholic teachings. Afterwards he and Archbishop Terrence Prendergast held a press conference in which they asked people on both sides of the abortion issue to work to try to reduce the number of abortions.
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…
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The top candidates: (odds from Paddypower.com)
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• Cardinal Marc Ouellet (Canada, 68) 11-4
• Cardinal Peter Turkson (Ghana, 64) 3-1
• Cardinal Leonardo Sandri (Argentina, 70) 6-1
• Cardinal Francis Arinze (Nigeria, 80) 7-2
• Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi (Italy, 70) 7-1
• Archbishop Angelo Scola (Italy, 71) 8-1
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Cardinals From Canada, Africa Lead in Papal Betting
Cardinals from Canada, Nigeria and Ghana are among the leading candidates to succeed Benedict XVI as pope, according to bookmakers’ odds.
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Nigeria’s Francis Arinze, 80, is the 2-1 favorite at London-based William Hill Plc, meaning a 1-euro ($1.34) winning wager would return a 2-euro profit. Peter Turkson, 64, of Ghana is second favorite at 5-2. At Paddy Power Plc, Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet, 68, is the 5-2 frontrunner, while Turkson is 3-1 and Arinze is 7-2.
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Paddy power has Cardinal Marc Quellet with top odds. How do they calculate these odds?
 
coachdennis said:
For people for whom, this is their first or second pope they have lived under, let me say from one who has lived under six popes, know that the Church will survive as popes come and go (I know that sounds cruel, but that’s the truth)

For those who think this is the worst of days — where is the faith that is needed in times of change?

For those who are trying to put a “spin” on this – will the next pope be conservative? liberal? in the middle? orthodox? yada, yada, yada – trust in the Lord’s providence to lead us in the way HE wants, not you’re own personal agenda

For those who are jumping on conspiracy theories – take off the aluminum foil from your head, stop watching reruns of the X-Files, get off the internet, interact with real flesh and blood people for a change, and get a grip :eek:
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Exactly. We can’t get hung up on a certain person being the Pope, but trust that whatever God’s plan for the Church is, it will come to pass. Whoever comes next will be just right for the job. We all have our opinions about what the Church needs and who would be best for the role, but ultimately the Holy Spirit decides, and we must accept it.
 
garn9173 said:
Totally agree. No reason to be shocked, stunned, or sadden by the news. Most at 85 have long since entered into retirement. Correct me if i’m wrong, but aren’t Bishop’s required to submit a letter of resignation at the age of 70 and when appropriate, the Pope accepts it?

During my years away from the church, I was fascinated with the Papal Conclave following the death of Blessed JPII and now that I’ve returned to the church, the upcoming Pap Conclave will be exiciting to follow.
Click to expand...
It’s age 75, but otherwise, yes.
 
I think that this is unorthodox position for a catholic bishop to hold! :mad:
 
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