The Pope is resigning. He was the first to do so in 598 years. Was his decision right, or justified? I think that it is. It doesn't make sense that such an important position as the Pope should be a life long position. It only makes sense that as one gets older they may not be able to perform the job as well. If Pope Benedict XVI believes that he can't perform adequately then he is doing what is right for the church. This is likely a difficult position to take. He obviously knew that people could look down on him for doing such an unorthodox thing, but he did the right thing regardless.
The cardinals looking for a replacement say they are looking for someone who can govern, has a devout prayer life, has a good personality, and cares for the poor. Seeing as a monumental resignation has occurred what if something else monumental happened? They say they want a Pope that cares for the poor, but the majority of the candidates are probably upper class clergy that have never spent any actual time among the poor. Jesus said himself that it is easier for a canal to fit through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God. Therefore, what would it look like for someone to take the position that actually lived their life like Jesus did? Perhaps a nonprofit worker who lives with the poor on a daily basis, or a missionary living in a third world country, what would the church begin to look like then? Could it finally become the hands and feet of Christ serving the discouraged and outcasts of society? I would love to know the answer to that question, but if I had to guess I would say we won't get one.
I think that it is probably difficult for anyone to resign an institution that they believe is invested not just with secular but also with divine authority. From this perspective, what Benedict did may actually be the most radical move of his entire papacy.
ReplyDeleteAs for the question of the personality of the Pope, it would definitely be an interesting move for the Church to go with a more down to earth type. The problem is that to become a Cardinal requires a lot of time in the institution, which means a lot of time away from the poor. I think the most radical thing they could do here would be to appoint someone from outside Europe.
I agree. For him it was most likely more beneficial to him to step down, as well as for the Catholic church. I don't think that he felt not as if he couldn't fulfill the duties of the Papacy, but rather he felt as if it wasn't in his best interest nor the church's best interest for him to be Pope anymore.
ReplyDeleteI agree 100%. You want the leader of an organization as large as the Catholic church to be operating at a very high level. I'm not sure what the requirements are, and I don't think we will see it anytime soon, but I think a younger Pope would be beneficial for the Church.
ReplyDelete