Pope Benedict XVI told a gathering of cardinals Feb. 11 that
he no longer has the strength to carry out his ministry and will resign on Feb.
28.
"I have convoked you to this Consistory, not only for
the three canonizations, but also to communicate to you a decision of great
importance for the life of the Church.
"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,"
Pope Benedict said.
He made his remarks in Latin to a meeting of cardinals who
were gathered to vote on whether or not to canonize three people.
The last pontiff to resign was Celestine V, who left office
almost 600 years ago.
At a quickly arranged Feb. 11 press conference, Father
Federico Lombardi told the media that there is no sickness the Pope is
suffering from that is behind this decision.
"It's something that happens normally in people with
advanced age, " the Vatican spokesman said.
Pope Benedict observed his lack of strength "over the
past few months and courageously came to this decision," the spokesman
said.
He also stressed that Pope Benedict made the decision after
carefully examining his conscience and the responsibilities of his office.
"This is an absolutely personal decision made with his
conscience before God," he remarked.
One member of the press commented on the contrast between
Pope Benedict and Pope John Paul II, who suffered with Parkinson's disease
until he passed away on April 2005.
Fr. Lombardi said Benedict XVI respects the decision of his
predecessor and that with his suffering he offered a great testimony to the
Church.
No comments:
Post a Comment