"In
today's world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions
of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of
St. Peter and proclaim the gospel, both strength of mind and body are
necessary, strength which in the last few months has deteriorated in me
to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately
fulfill the ministry entrusted to me."
POPE BENEDICT XVI, announcing his resignation.
As even a casual blog reader can tell, I am not Catholic. However, I will say the resignation of the Pope has bothered me. This unprecedented way to end his leadership of the Catholic church is notable for all, as there are more than a billion Catholics world-wide - standing as the world's largest Christian church. Additionally, it is among the oldest institutions in the world and has played a prominent role in the history of Western civilization. Such a major change in such a prominent organization is notable.
It's like having the CEO step down in an unusual way....in a company of a billion employees - with countless other stakeholders.
This change in the system, the ability of the Pope to step down at his choosing, is a fundamental and doctrine-changing shift for their church. The Cardinals are scrambling to determine who will be next, and are now saying the person might not be in place by Easter Sunday. Again, although I am not Catholic, I feel strange about imagining that there might not be a Pope in place for the traditional Easter celebrations that take place in Vatican City.
Pope Benedict XVI has officially conducted his last public mass this week (according to the news media), and there is a part of me that feels for the Catholic population around the world. I have prayed for the Catholic church this week, members and leaders, to have comfort as they go through this transition that they will have peace and confidence.
And if not, hey perhaps we'll start handing out more Book of Mormons soon... ;) I mean come on, they are building a new temple in Rome...
God bless.
As even a casual blog reader can tell, I am not Catholic. However, I will say the resignation of the Pope has bothered me. This unprecedented way to end his leadership of the Catholic church is notable for all, as there are more than a billion Catholics world-wide - standing as the world's largest Christian church. Additionally, it is among the oldest institutions in the world and has played a prominent role in the history of Western civilization. Such a major change in such a prominent organization is notable.
It's like having the CEO step down in an unusual way....in a company of a billion employees - with countless other stakeholders.
This change in the system, the ability of the Pope to step down at his choosing, is a fundamental and doctrine-changing shift for their church. The Cardinals are scrambling to determine who will be next, and are now saying the person might not be in place by Easter Sunday. Again, although I am not Catholic, I feel strange about imagining that there might not be a Pope in place for the traditional Easter celebrations that take place in Vatican City.
Pope Benedict XVI has officially conducted his last public mass this week (according to the news media), and there is a part of me that feels for the Catholic population around the world. I have prayed for the Catholic church this week, members and leaders, to have comfort as they go through this transition that they will have peace and confidence.
And if not, hey perhaps we'll start handing out more Book of Mormons soon... ;) I mean come on, they are building a new temple in Rome...
God bless.
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