Pope Benedict XVI in shock resignation

[flesh84]

Pope Benedict XVI is to resign at the end of this month in an unexpected development, saying he is too old to continue at the age of 85.

He became Pope in 2005 following John Paul II's death.

Resignations from the papacy are not unknown, but this is the first in the modern era, which has been marked by pontiffs dying while in office.

Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti is quoted as saying he is "greatly shaken by this unexpected news".

The BBC's Alan Johnston in Rome says the news has come "out of the blue", and that there was no speculation whatsoever about the move in recent days.

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Start Quote

At this age my brother wants more rest”

Georg Ratzinger
Pope's brother
A Vatican spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi, said that even the Pope's closest aides did not know what he was planning to do and were left "incredulous". He added that the decision showed "great courage" and "determination".

The Vatican says it expects a new Pope to be elected before the end of March, ahead of Easter, the most important festival in the Christian calendar.

The brother of the German-born Pope said the pontiff had been advised by his doctor not to take any more transatlantic trips and had been considering stepping down for months.

Talking from his home in Regensburg in Germany, Georg Ratzinger said his brother was having increasing difficulty walking and that his resignation was part of a "natural process".

He added: "His age is weighing on him. At this age my brother wants more rest."

'Incapacity'
At 78, the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was one of the oldest new popes in history when elected.

He took the helm as one of the fiercest storms the Catholic Church has faced in decades - the scandal of child sex abuse by priests - was breaking.

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POPE BENEDICT XVI

At 78, one of the oldest new popes in history when elected in 2005
Born in Germany in 1927, joined Hitler Youth during WWII and was conscripted as an anti-aircraft gunner but deserted
As Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger spent 24 years in charge of Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith - once known as the Holy Office of the Inquisition
A theological conservative, with uncompromising views on homosexuality and women priests
In a statement, the pontiff said: "After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry.

"I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering.

"However, 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 steer the boat of Saint 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 recognise my incapacity to adequately fulfil the ministry entrusted to me.

"For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is."

A German government spokesman said he was "moved and touched" by the surprise resignation of the pontiff.

"The German government has the highest respect for the Holy Father, for what he has done, for his contributions over the course of his life to the Catholic Church.

"He has left a very personal signature as a thinker at the head of the Church, and also as a shepherd."

 

[SimplyJakeAndAlex]

Bye Bye Popeman and don't forget to take Brother Robin with you ... one question though... does god have severance pay benefit package for pope who resign? Oh and what are we going to become without our Pope, does that mean we'll have to think for ourselves... oh my god what a shocking news )

 

[ihno]

Of course not, Wild.Wagner, that is nonsense.

No, he stepped down because he thought "what Beatrix can do, I can do better!"

 

[bigsal]

A friend of mine told me that he left because of an image where, at the age of 14 yo, he wears a Nazi uniform close to Hitler, during one nazi reunion.

I don't think he decided to left for that reason, and something secret is hidden in the dephts of the Vatican.

That he was pro-Nazi is not a secret.

If he became Pope a former Nazi, this explains a lot about the hierarchy of the "church of Christ"

 

[bigsal]

Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti is quoted as saying he is "greatly shaken by this unexpected news".

It is surprising that Mr Mario Monti is greatly shaken by this unexpected news.

There has not been greatly shaken when it has impoverished an entire nation in favor of the banks.

It's just a rich hypocrite lend to politics.

Hopefully also he will withdraw for the good of my country.

 

[ihno]

That he was pro-Nazi is not a secret.

He was not "pro Nazi". He was a child living in a dictatorship. What do you expect from 13 year old children in 1944 in Germany? It was mandatory duty.

 

[sunandmoon]

How about the next conclave decides to establish a republic?
Appoint StSebastian (or any other suitable personality) a patron saint of homosexuals?
Donate half of Vatican wealth to AIDS research and the other to schools, hospitals and soup kitchens around the world?
Turn pedophile clergy to police and prosecution?

Fat chance, I know. But maybe they will elect someone sexy and good looking this time?

 

[howardjk]

For someone like me, who is totally not religious, this has all the impact of Beyonce's misadventures with the national anthem or a Kardashian pregnancy--who cares?

 

[clh_hilary]

Bu-bye.

 

[bigsal]

He was not "pro Nazi". He was a child living in a dictatorship. What do you expect from 13 year old children in 1944 in Germany? It was mandatory duty.

Dear Ihno, :heart:

I do not doubt what you say.

The news of his "sympathies" Nazi had been reported by a German journalist at the time of his election.

The fact remains that as pontiff has played very well the role that the Vatican hierarchy has entrusted to him, and that is to do everything the opposite of what he professed Jesus Christ.

The only Pope who in recent years that has tried to bring the church back to its role, was Pope Luciani (John Paul 1 °), but strangely died after 33 days. :thinking:

If you feel like it, go to the link and read the article.
Is in Italian, but you can use a translation program to understand it better.
Discover what is holy, merciful and compassionate the "mother Catholic Church in Rome".

http://refhide.com/?http://www.cristianesimo.it/luciani.htm

With affection. :big hug:

 

[haiducii]

For someone like me, who is totally not religious, this has all the impact of Beyonce's misadventures with the national anthem or a Kardashian pregnancy--who cares?

 

[RefixnarcisM]

Whatever the reason, wish he well and have a peaceful great life. God bless you.

 

[Sinnerr]

Oh, Papa Ratzi ends? I will cry I think :rofl:

Well, seriously, I'm kinda curious how retoric to gay people will use his successor.

 

[ihno]

Dear Ihno, :heart:

Caro Sal

I just reply in lenght because I think it's important.

The news of his "sympathies" Nazi had been reported by a German journalist at the time of his election.

Not british ones? The Sun made a big deal about it but that's some kind of british sport anyway.

Whoever said it, it's still silly nonsense and there have been some very silly discussions in Germany about Gunter Grass, because he joind the Waffen SS with 15 or so in 1945.

That always comes from people who always had the liberty to say everything they want and never had to deal with a totalitarian state. It's easy for them to judge other people if you have it warm, cozy and a filled fridge.

Every german child was ordered to join specific organisations, not other than it was in Italy I guess(?). And in 1944 old men as well as the young children were sent to the front and into war.

Nazi Germany was a criminal system, and almost nobody, who lived there in those twelve years came out undamaged. My own grandfather believed in Hitler and the system for quite some time. Don't know what my grandma thought but her brother was an eplieptic and they - with good trust - sent him to a hospital where he was murdered. My grandmother loved him and it must have been a shock. It was only later the realised what must have happened. My grandfather then lost his leg two weeks after the start of the war in the East.

So I know that he could not have permitted any warcrimes. When he returned from the war-hospital he had to do propaganda for the Nazis, otherwise he would not get a job with the Reichsbahn, which he needed as pension. So he joined the Naziparty in 1945(!) and became Villageleader of Propaganda in his village for two months. The Denazification panel then said "Well, with only one leg he wasn't really a good advertisement for the Nazis", which is almost funny. This I all got not from telling but from the files. What was he then? Victim? Actor? Who really wants to tell?

The fact that R. comes from a very religious family and that two sons of that family later joined the church is proof that there had been at least some sort of inner distance to Nazism within his family. I think he wasn't too happy with his situation in Germany.

What he did, said or says/does as an adult man is a total different issue. Here is an adult man who can be held responisble for his actions. Children cannot oversee their actions yet. You could criticise him for being Nazi-friendly if he said something in that direction in 1970 or 1990 or 2000. That would be something different.

Today there are millions of germans who have spent their youth in socialist organizations and there is no real difference. And everybody from the former eastern states can understand that.

There is a lot you criticise with the church now and then. And with Ratzinger too. I didn't read what he said about gays etc.

Grazie per il articolo / thanks for the article.

Cheers,
ihno

 

[howardjk]

http://www.davidicke.com/headlines/79596-the-pope
I think this is too funny not to share.

ihno, I too do not put any blame on the Cardinal for his behavior as a child in the 1940's.
But his current rhetoric on gays is reprehensible...

 

[ihno]

The pic is nice. I haven't read his recent outbursts but they must have been bad.

But the next won't be better. JPII and Ratzi have the right conservative men in the right places to ensure there is no change in direction.

 

[gb2000ie]

Guys - I'm disappointed to see people trotting out that old and long dis-proven smear that the pope was a Nazi - he was not. He just lived in Germany during the Nazi dictatorship. If you say everyone who ever had to wear something with a Swastika on it is a Nazi then just about everyone in Germany older than 80 is a Nazi, which is of course utterly ridiculous. The only argument you can make is that he was not brave enough as a 14 year old to do more to stand up against a brutal dictatorship, and to me that is holding the man up to a ridiculous standard we don't hold ourselves, or others to.

Why waste your time and credibility making silly arguments when there are MANY real arguments to be made? This man was head of the Inquisition, and was put in over-all charge of dealing with child abuse cases by the previous pope. Each and every single file about abusers in the church passed through his office. What did he do? He told the bishops that their first duty was to protect the mother church! Of all the cardinals who could have become pope he was the one with the most in-depth knowledge about the child abuse problem, and hence should have been the one most capable of dealing with it, but he hasn't dealt with it properly.

His policies in Africa are killing millions through the aids epidemic. His policies on gays are repugnant. His campaigning to inject catholic values into government decisions make me very angry.

I've been a following of this man's work for a long time, since as the head of the Inquisition he often issued official rulings on things. He wrote some horrible stuff about homosexuality that I just do not agree with at all, and he did really stupid things like declare The Eagles (the rock band) satanic.

I'm not sorry to see the man go, and I am sorry that he has been able to stuff the college of cardinals with enough conservative dinosaurs to prevent any real change in the near-future.

What I will say though is that I admire him greatly for breaking with 600 years of tradition and resigning when he became too old to do the job well. To me that shows that he really is dedicated to doing what is best for his church. How ever misguided I think he is, I don't doubt that his heart is in the right place. It's always a brave thing to break traditions, but that goes double within the Catholic Church, an institution that absolutely fetishises traditions.

B.

 

[HotDougBunz]

Maybe he just wants to wear polyester pants like most old guys. Okay, back to porn... Want some really news? Damien Crosse turned 31 today. Happy Birthday Damien!

arty:arty:arty:arty:arty:arty:arty:

​

 

[ihno]

I'm not sorry to see the man go, and I am sorry that he has been able to stuff the college of cardinals with enough conservative dinosaurs to prevent any real change in the near-future.

You're right, but John Paul II started with that, I think Ratzinger just followed in his footsteps.

But maybe that's not that bad. A "leftist" church would only make those evangelicals stronger, who still take the bible literarlly word by word and just try to bring creationism into european schools after they had some success in the States.

I prefer Ratzinger-like rants over those.

What I will say though is that I admire him greatly for breaking with 600 years of tradition and resigning when he became too old to do the job well.

I think this will change the status of the office in general. Not right away, but on the long run.

 

[gb2000ie]

You're right, but John Paul II started with that, I think Ratzinger just followed in his footsteps.

But maybe that's not that bad. A "leftist" church would only make those evangelicals stronger, who still take the bible literarlly word by word and just try to bring creationism into european schools after they had some success in the States.

I prefer Ratzinger-like rants over those.

I'm not sure the choice is between JPII/BenedictXVI type conservatives and American-style fundamentalists. There is still the Vatican2 wing of the church who want to genuinely liberalise and reform the church.

The problem is, these clergy have not been made Cardinals in the last few decades, so they are not at the table when it comes to choosing the next pope.

You are right though that under BenedictXVI and JPII the Catholic church has been better than many American churches at dealing with reality. They accept evolution, and science in general, and treat the old testament stories as metaphor.

I think this will change the status of the office in general. Not right away, but on the long run.

I think so too. Who ever is next, be they young or old when they are elected, when old age starts to take it's toll they will have the Benedict's example to consider following.

B.