Pope Benedict to resign before end February
February 11th, 2013
Pope Benedict has announced, in Latin, that he will resign before the end of this month. He said he doesn’t have the strength to perform his duties.
This is a real shocker. Is this resignation highly irregular? The Pope is 85 years old and is the first pope to step down in more than 600 years.
Details are trickling in.
Good for him for realizing his limitations and stepping aside. That is a very selfless act.
He actually said that:
“Attamen in mundo nostri temporis rapidis mutationibus subiecto et quaestionibus magni ponderis pro vita fidei perturbato ad navem Sancti Petri gubernandam et ad annuntiandum Evangelium etiam vigor quidam corporis et animae necessarius est, qui ultimis mensibus in me modo tali minuitur, ut incapacitatem meam ad ministerium mihi commissum bene administrandum agnoscere debeam.”
For which I have a great deal of sympathy as I reach the first frontiers of old age, even though my responsibilities are much less weighty.
I have sympathy also….same reason. It isnt for sissies, thats for sure.
Please translate. I know very little Latin.
I have no Latin dictionary at work so this is rough:
“Nonetheless, in today’s world, rapidly changing and disturbed by questions of enormous import for the Faithful [the life of faith], it is essential to have both strength of mind and body to steer the ship of St. Peter and to announce the Good News, strength which in the last months has declined in me to the point I ought [must] acknowledge my incapacity to fulfill well the ministry placed on me.”
By now the Vatican probably has a smoother translation out in 70 langauges.
I am impressed that you knew the Latin. My father told me to take it. I was too stubborn of course.
PS: there was a time when I made a very small living using Latin. That time is long past.
Let’s see….part time priest? tutor? tour guide?
If I had to make a living off my foreign language abilities I would be on welfare.
It is a majestic language. I was thrilled to see a breaking news story appear in Latin this morning. At my age, one takes great comfort in small pleasures.
Ahh, Latin makes me remember going to a Jesuit school *shudder*
Good news. Hopefully he will be replaced with a progressive.
Benedict sent the message that a lot should change but he can’t do it. So I hope so too Starry. I reall he was reluctant to become Pope….the pressure on the Holy See is to maintain the universality of the Church. I think a S American Pope or African Pope would be a welcome change. Nineteen Cardinals in S America – 11 in Brazil.
@Starryflights
Unlikely.
It is possible that he will be replaced with a non-European.
Progressives exist outside of Europe.
I am betting on progressive from Asia or Africa. I lean towards Africa in my bet.
From my understanding, the Cardinals from Africa tend to be conservative. It is the Europeans that are progressive.
Anglicans in Africa tend to be more conservative also. The Episcoplian Churches that left here in Virginia joined the African diocese.
I don’t understand the Church heirarchy well enough to have a discussion on it though. All I know is they left over the Episcopal Church ordaining openly gay priests.
For your reading interests:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2277047/Will-pope-black-Ghanaian-Nigerian-cardinals-lead-race-Vatican.html#axzz2Ke3vW92V
My vote is for Cardinal Marc Ouellet of Canada. He looks kindly.
On the other hand, I don’t have a dog in this fight.
I can do all things through Christ, which strengthen me. Until I reach a certain age.
CS and Moon: Your are right. On human sexuality issues, the African clergy both in the RC community and the Anglican Community are quite conservative. I would be thrilled to see a Pope from the Americas, but my Church of England roots disqualify me from having much of a voice in this particular poll. Best wishes to my RC Brethren in Christ to find an inspiring leader to carry us through a decade or two at least.
@Scout
You still have a chance! Repent! Rejoin the Holy Mother Church!