The Pope Resigns
Petrine Rock Has Forever Held
Posted: February 13, 2013
Though a renowned theologian and fierce rhetorician for the faith, Pope Benedict spent the nearly eight years of his papacy in the shadow of his revered and saintly predecessor, Pope John Paul II.
On Monday, though, Benedict made history in a way John Paul never did — and, dare we say, never could envision. He resigned, the first pope to do so since 1415.
Save for Monday’s shocking announcement, Benedict’s tenure as pontiff may be deemed little more than a footnote — which, in itself, is rather stunning, given his theological pedigree and warrior’s defense of Catholic dogma during his extended stint as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
But then, Benedict — shy, humble, and possessed of a smile many considered stern — was the antithesis of John Paul, whose intellectual vigor was exceeded only by his charisma and warmth. And whereas John Paul, whose long and storied papacy was a story of achievement and nonpareil outreach, Benedict, it’s been written, never satisfied his goals of reigniting faith in the West (particularly Europe) and bridging — to the extent it’s possible — not only the gulf separating the three Christian traditions (Roman Catholic, Eastern, and Protestant) but also those between Catholicism and other religions.
Even the manner in which the two popes ended their reigns could not have been more different. John Paul offered his declining years as an object lesson in the redemptive power of suffering while Benedict, taking stock of his 85 years and infirmities, opted for resignation in the belief he could no longer suitably carry out his ecclesiastical duties.
And so he world’s billion-plus Catholics awoke Monday morning to drama unforeseen, two days before the start of Lent, the liturgical year’s holiest season. The Vatican hopes a successor will be in place by Easter (March 31), though it does state this hope is grounded more in “hypothesis” than certainty.
This much is sure, though: The 208-member College of Cardinals will convene, tell-tale white smoke will eventually pour out the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, and a new pope will be introduced from the loggia overlooking St. Peter’s Square with these words “Habemus papam” (“We have a pope”).
But who will be the 266th man to assume the proverbial “shoes of the fisherman”? John Paul from Poland and the German Benedict broke the five-centuries-long grip on the papacy held by Italian cardinals. Now the question is whether the conclave will look outside Europe — perhaps to Latin America, Africa or even North America where Cardinal Marc Ouellet, former archbishop of Quebec, is said to be a contender — for the next pontiff.
Whoever that choice may be, Catholics can take solace in 2,000 years of history marked, periodically, by storm and strife — and struggles to remain relevant and vital in the ongoing battle with secularism, and other -isms as well.
For this much they do know: The succession, and the church itself, dates back to the “fisherman,” and to the words of Jesus cited in Matthew 16:18: “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
That “rock,” Catholics understand, has forever held.
On Monday, though, Benedict made history in a way John Paul never did — and, dare we say, never could envision. He resigned, the first pope to do so since 1415.
Save for Monday’s shocking announcement, Benedict’s tenure as pontiff may be deemed little more than a footnote — which, in itself, is rather stunning, given his theological pedigree and warrior’s defense of Catholic dogma during his extended stint as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
But then, Benedict — shy, humble, and possessed of a smile many considered stern — was the antithesis of John Paul, whose intellectual vigor was exceeded only by his charisma and warmth. And whereas John Paul, whose long and storied papacy was a story of achievement and nonpareil outreach, Benedict, it’s been written, never satisfied his goals of reigniting faith in the West (particularly Europe) and bridging — to the extent it’s possible — not only the gulf separating the three Christian traditions (Roman Catholic, Eastern, and Protestant) but also those between Catholicism and other religions.
Even the manner in which the two popes ended their reigns could not have been more different. John Paul offered his declining years as an object lesson in the redemptive power of suffering while Benedict, taking stock of his 85 years and infirmities, opted for resignation in the belief he could no longer suitably carry out his ecclesiastical duties.
And so he world’s billion-plus Catholics awoke Monday morning to drama unforeseen, two days before the start of Lent, the liturgical year’s holiest season. The Vatican hopes a successor will be in place by Easter (March 31), though it does state this hope is grounded more in “hypothesis” than certainty.
This much is sure, though: The 208-member College of Cardinals will convene, tell-tale white smoke will eventually pour out the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, and a new pope will be introduced from the loggia overlooking St. Peter’s Square with these words “Habemus papam” (“We have a pope”).
But who will be the 266th man to assume the proverbial “shoes of the fisherman”? John Paul from Poland and the German Benedict broke the five-centuries-long grip on the papacy held by Italian cardinals. Now the question is whether the conclave will look outside Europe — perhaps to Latin America, Africa or even North America where Cardinal Marc Ouellet, former archbishop of Quebec, is said to be a contender — for the next pontiff.
Whoever that choice may be, Catholics can take solace in 2,000 years of history marked, periodically, by storm and strife — and struggles to remain relevant and vital in the ongoing battle with secularism, and other -isms as well.
For this much they do know: The succession, and the church itself, dates back to the “fisherman,” and to the words of Jesus cited in Matthew 16:18: “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
That “rock,” Catholics understand, has forever held.