Papal abdication a surprise to all: local priest
Monday, February 11, 2013 by: Darren Taylor
In a move that stunned Roman Catholics all over the world, Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday that he will resign February 28.
That means the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics will be without a leader until a new Pope is elected by a gathering of cardinals in the Vatican next month.
The 85-year-old Benedict, formerly known as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, a native of Germany, was elected Pope in 2005.
He announced that he is resigning due to deteriorating physical strength.
Still, Benedict’s announcement surprised even those in his inner circle, and his abdication from the papacy will be the first in the Roman Catholic Church since 1415, and the first voluntary abdication since 1294.
Father Hamish Currie heads the congregation at Sault Ste. Marie’s Precious Blood Cathedral and serves as Episcopal Vicar for Algoma-Manitoulin.
Speaking to SooToday.com, Currie said of today’s announcement “it is surprising, but it speaks to him being a very practical man, one who is thinking very seriously for the good of the Church which he loves.”
Currie said there was “a sense of surprise” among his parishioners, but also “a sense of gratitude for Pope Benedict’s work and example, and a sense of looking forward to who the next Pope will be.”
“No, not at all” was Currie’s answer when we asked him if he was concerned about the possibility of an existing schism within the Catholic Church between conservatives and liberals growing wider when cardinals gather to elect Benedict’s successor.
Benedict, a conservative, has upheld traditional Church views against same-sex issues and ordination of female priests, and has spoken out against Islam as a religion of violence.
Some observers feel the Church will now go in a more liberal direction.
Currie said “I think the cardinals will take their task very seriously and will choose the person they see as being the right one for the Church at this time in history.”
Benedict was 78 years old when he was elected Pope. His predecessor, John Paul II, was considered “young” when he was elected in 1978, at the age of 58.
Is it time to choose a younger successor to address the issues of a Church facing declining church attendance and a plague of recent sex scandals?
Currie told us “I don’t think they’ll choose an elderly one, that’s for sure. They want someone who will be able to do the job for a while and minister to the Church.”
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seen_your 2/11/2013 11:26:17 PM ReportNext up, Petrus Romanus.
Dead End Kid 2/12/2013 12:36:21 AM ReportPee Wee Herman would make a great pope.
SaultJammer 2/12/2013 6:45:22 AM Report@Dead End Kid - your name says it all, don't comment, your stupidity is leaking out...
K-Nish 2/12/2013 8:23:01 AM ReportConsidering that he ran the office that deals with Pedo Priests?
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/02/world/europe/02pope.html?pagewanted=1&sq=benedict&st=cse&scp=1&_r=1&
The office led by Cardinal Ratzinger, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, had actually been given authority over sexual abuse cases nearly 80 years earlier, in 1922, documents show and canon lawyers confirm.
Pretty sick stuff... that is your leader
Rockwell 2/12/2013 9:18:11 AM ReportThere is an underlying scandal here
crashed13 2/12/2013 9:40:14 AM ReportAs long as they get a replacement thats not 100 years old and likes little boys.
TFinn 2/12/2013 9:46:14 AM ReportHe’s 85+ and in poor health …and local priests are surprised ...…give me a break …!!
CrankxGirl 2/12/2013 10:13:02 AM ReportWhy doesn't he pray for better health then?
Tom_Bom 2/12/2013 10:45:12 AM ReportWhy didn't they let the guy before this mook retire? The dude could barely stand and was very ill.
I think if you're an 85 year old pope and you know your mental and physical health is declining and also don't want to do the job if you can't do it to a standard you hold yourself to, you should be able to retire. What's with all this, 'Pope till I die' nonsense?
I've renounced my Catholicism a while ago now but I still feel for the man. he's 85.
Stugatzu 2/12/2013 1:13:53 PM ReportThe first time around... when they had to decide who was to be appointed Pope, after John Paul II they didn't have neither the testicular or instestinal fortitude to select Cardinal Peter Turkson... probably because of some deep seeded racism....
They instead selected Benedict XVI... replaced a dead pope with an almost dead pope because they couldn't handle a black pope.
He's back and he's black! He's also the best man for the job, if you look at his credentials.
Benedict XVI even appointed Turkson as the president of the Council for Peace and Justice -- a position that put Turkson in the public with leaders of the world.
First Black Pope -- the Obama of Catholicism. It needs to happen. Religion is colour blind...it should be..it says it is. Let's prove it!
BlackHelix 2/12/2013 5:06:01 PM Report"probably because of some deep seeded racism...."
hahahaha - The fact that you fail to see the obvious is hilarious to me.
tcowen 2/13/2013 12:34:16 AM ReportSome say it hit, after he delivered his resignation.. but I'd quit quick too, if 'god' hit my house with lightning, twice.
Let's not forget that last month his "Doves of Peace" were attacked.. in mid-flight.
This does not look good on a resume`..
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