Posted on 02/11/2013 12:13:19 PM PST by SeekAndFind
On Feb. 28, Pope Benedict XVI will become the first pope to resign in almost 600 years. That’s not just tradition — it’s dogma. The Washington Post’s Debbi Wilgoren cited a theological expert in explaining, “Most modern popes have felt that resignation is unacceptable except in cases of an incurable or debilitating disease — that paternity, in the words of Paul IV, cannot be resigned.”
But Benedict XVI’s resignation is even more curious when compared to the handful of others who have left the powerful office willingly. In the past 1000 years, only four other popes have resigned. Here are their unusual stories, which are also an indication of just how much the church has changed.
* Pope Benedict IX, in 1045: At age 33 and about 10 years into his tumultuous term, the Rome-born pope resigned so that he could get married – and to collect some cash from his godfather, also Roman, who paid Benedict IX to step down so that he might replace him, according to British historian Reginald L. Poole’s definitive and much-cited history of the 11th century.
* Pope Gregory VI, in 1046: The same man who had bribed and replaced his godson ended up leaving the office himself only a year later, according to Poole’s account. The trouble began when Benedict IX failed to secure the bride he’d resigned for, leading him to change his mind and return to the Vatican. Both popes remained in the city, both claiming to rule the Catholic church, for several months. That fall, the increasingly despondent clergy called on the German Emperor Henry III, of the Holy Roman Empire, to invade Rome and remove them both.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Maybe he’s tired of swearing off beer for Lent.
What’s this bride thing? I thought they were supposed to be celibate or something like that.
RE: Maybe he’s tired of swearing off beer for Lent.
News is that Benedict is going to retire to a monastery in Germany. You think they’ll have lots of beer there?
“The Washington Post’s Debbi Wilgoren cited a theological expert in explaining, “Most modern popes have felt that resignation is unacceptable except in cases of an incurable or debilitating disease”
Debi has no idea what she is talking about as usual. He stated his health is causing him not to be able to do his job. How does she know he may have an incurable or debilitating disease.
RE: I thought they were supposed to be celibate or something like that.
The key words are “supposed to be”.
Making room for cardinal law...
(joke, but if it turns out to be true, still a joke.)
Maybe cardinal number will be the next Pope.
In the Roman Catholic Church, a “dogma” is an article of faith revealed by God, which the magisterium of the Church presents as necessary to be believed.
I’d hardly say that remaining pope until death is “dogma.”
Actually celibacy was not a requirement for priests in the first few centuries of the Church’s existence (though I’m fairly certain it was by the 11th. Century).
Even today you have priests who decide to leave the priesthood because they’ve met a woman and wish to marry. A young assistant pastor from the Parish I attended did this about 20 years ago.
Personally I found nothing dishonorable in his decision, as clearly he had decided he could not hack celibacy and decided to proceed in a morally correct manner.
RE: Actually celibacy was not a requirement for priests in the first few centuries of the Church’s existence (though I’m fairly certain it was by the 11th. Century).
You are absolutely right.
St. Peter had a mother in law whom Jesus healed.
See here:
Matthew 8:14:
“And when Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever; 15 he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and served him.”
Pope Clement I wrote: “For Peter and Philip begat children”.
St. Patrick’s grandfather, Potitus, was a priest.
There is record of a number of 3rd-century married bishops in good standing, even in the West. They included: Passivus, bishop of Fermo; Cassius, bishop of Narni; Aetherius, bishop of Vienne; Aquilinus, bishop of Évreux; Faron, bishop of Meaux; Magnus, bishop of Avignon. Filibaud, bishop of Aire-sur-l’Adour, was the father of St. Philibert de Jumièges, and Sigilaicus, bishop of Tours, was the father of St. Cyran of Brenne
It used to be you didn’t have to be a priest to be a bishop or pope. In the Roman Catholic Church, priests have always been celibate, unless they were married before they were ordained (like Saint Peter). They understood the Lord Himself required that. If a married man has been ordained in another denomination and then converts, however, he can remain married and become a priest, provided he remains married to the same woman and upon her death remains celibate. There are quite a number of former Protestants who have become priests and remained married.
This can’t be true because it reeks of corruption in the catholic church a LONG time ago. We all know corruption tends to get worse until an institution collapses from the weight thereof (like the United States) and almost NEVER gets better. Thus, it can’t be true.
RE: We all know corruption tends to get worse until an institution collapses from the weight thereof (like the United States) and almost NEVER gets better. Thus, it can’t be true.
“... The gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” — Jesus Christ (To Peter and the other disciples)
Max Fisher...Washington Post...not worth the read.
Celibacy wasn’t mandatory util 1139.
You have reform and reformers throughout Church history. St. Francis Assisi for example..
1961...The Chaplain at my All Girl Catholic High School left and married one of the nuns.
CC
These days having two Popes at the same time would be an NBC sitcom.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.