Thread: Pope stepping down

Call me a cynic but when when somebody does something that hasn't been done in roughly 600 years I begin to wonder what the real story is.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

Call me a cynic but when when somebody does something that hasn't been done in roughly 600 years I begin to wonder what the real story is.

Bob

I just think he witnessed the deterioration of the previous pope from very close. They were close. John Paul 2 did not have an easy end of life. His life was determined for him and he was pushed through it from dawn till dusk, despite the fact that his body could not handle it any more. At the end, John Paul 2 really did hurt the catholic church by his inability to lead, and he got a hellish life for it.

At Benedict's current age, with a visibly deteriorating health, and no rest in sight, I think he chose to not end like that.

It is also worth pointing out that he was elected because he could be counted on to continue Jon Paul 2nds trail, and also because he was guaranteed to have a rather short reign. He was never expected to have a long reign or to do great things. I'm sure he knew this as well. So there is no barrier of expectations keeping him in office.

And finally, in the olden days, the occupant of the papal seat carried a lot of worldly power and could enjoy life as well. These days, that seat brings only worries, challenges, and exhaustion. The worldly reasons why a pope might cling to that seat no longer exist.

Bruno

I must admit to not being Catholic or really even going to church regularly and I hope your logical explanation for his abdication of the Papacy is true. At the very least it would make a good press release from the Vatican. With religion as with politics I am always suspicious of altruistic explanations, the curse of being a cynic. I think I will just wait and see before I make a personal judgement on this one.

Bob

You know that the economy is seriously in trouble when god starts laying off his staf ha ha ha

As a Catholic in the US, I disagree. The last number of Popes have lead the Church in a New Inquisition; and like the previous ones that tried to eliminate the Reformation, it has failed miserably.
It's time for the Church and the World to become more Human.

There was much talk about, and much surprise by some, that the last choice didn't come from South America. This whole thing will be interesting to watch. I'll have to check with my Godmother, she's up on this stuff. A few years ago the family got her satellite tv, hundreds of channels to watch. I'm pretty sure the only thing she watches during the day is the live feed from the Vatican.

Originally Posted by Johnus

As a Catholic in the US, I disagree. The last number of Popes have lead the Church in a New Inquisition; and like the previous ones that tried to eliminate the Reformation, it has failed miserably.
It's time for the Church and the World to become more Human.

Well you know, that is what happens when you keep promoting from within - SOS, different day as it were. Not being up on this stuff I might be wrong, but it appears to me that the process to select a new Pope encourages homogeneity, particularly on big-ticket issues such as female reproductive rights and child sexual abuse within the Church.

Here's hoping the new Pope is up for reform.

James.

The system is kind of set up to only allow for slow change.
There is a 'dead' time of 50 years between the leadership of the church and the current 'young' generation.
Even though the pope is the highest authority in matters of doctrine and policy, his ideas have to represent the ideals of 2/3 of the number cardinals. This means that whoever gets chosen to be pope today is a reflection of the generation that was born in the 40s and 50s.

Originally Posted by BobH

Bruno

I must admit to not being Catholic or really even going to church regularly and I hope your logical explanation for his abdication of the Papacy is true. At the very least it would make a good press release from the Vatican. With religion as with politics I am always suspicious of altruistic explanations, the curse of being a cynic. I think I will just wait and see before I make a personal judgement on this one.

Bob

Stepping down from the papacy is not really altruistic.

"Free time does not exist for the pope. This is the reality—prayer, work, work, prayer. Here, this is the life of the pope."

His day starts at 6AM, and does not end until 8PM, at which time he still does some work before going to sleep.

I just hope to God that the next pope is going to be a uniter and a rejuvenator; Someone who can let a more progressive influence in the Catholic church.

Originally Posted by Bruno

Stepping down from the papacy is not really altruistic.

You misunderstood me. I meant your explanation of the reasons for Papal abdication sounds too altruistic and could easily used as a PR release by the Vatican. I've lived too long to believe in that sort of thing especially from a politician or religious representative. It is hardly ever that straight forward and simple.

Bob