Posted on 02/11/2013 9:39:45 AM PST by marshmallow
In shocking news that quickly demonstrated the ongoing relevance of medieval historians, Pope Benedict announced that he will lay down his governance of the Church of Rome at the end of this month. Such an event has not happened for nearly 600 years when his predecessor, Gregory XII, sacrificed himself in 1415 to bring an end to the Great Western Schism. It is appropriate, in an historical Church, to look back. Rooted in tradition, we see that we do have the resources to cope with such a stunning and in some ways heartbreaking announcement.
Benedict XVI used the occasion of a canonization consistory to make this most momentous of announcements. In canonizing the pope exercises his office as pastor and teacher of all Christians in an extraordinary way, making this consistory a solemn moment for such an announcement. The consistory was held with the cardinals, who will govern the Church in a sede vacante, therefore it was highly fitting for the Pope to address this message to them. It was also fitting in such a moment that the Pontiff expressed himself in the universal language of the Catholic Church: Latin. Just as he had in the first address to his Cardinals after election, Benedict underscored the universality of the Church spread throughout the world, by speaking its catholic language at this most solemn of moments. Further, in fixing the date for the canonization after his own resignation, Benedict emphasized the continuity of the Petrine office, for on 12 May, we will have a new supreme pontiff to undertake that blessed ceremony.
It is well too to see if we can glean any significance from the saints to be honored. Two are holy foundresses of female orders. After his resignation, Benedict will retire to such a monastery to live out his.....
(Excerpt) Read more at crisismagazine.com ...
Maybe God just told him that it was okay to stop and rest until he comes home. Maybe his plans are for a more active servant to proactively organize the battle against the evil that infests the West, East, North and South...
Christi servus servorum maximarum rerum. Alta verba non cogitet laudis. Theologus et omnium minister.
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.