Ex-pope Benedict says God told him to resign during 'mystical experience'

The Guardian ^ | 8/21/2013 | Tim Klington

[Vermont Lt]

The former pope Benedict has claimed that his resignation in February was prompted by God, who told him to do it during a "mystical experience".

Breaking his silence for the first time since he became the first pope to step down in 600 years, the 86-year-old reportedly said: "God told me to" when asked what had pushed him to retire to a secluded residence in the Vatican gardens.

[pgyanke]

It is called speaking “ex cathedra” - i.e infallible.

No, it's not. Please don't miseducate on Catholic doctrine. Read on the subject here.

[shadeaud]

My gut reaction to a large number of the anti-Catholic replies are made by posters who were once Catholic, but over time and all the coverage of homosexuality within the Church, they left and have a feeling of being lied to in their youth by a number of hypocritical spiritual leaders. I state this because I encountered such behavior while in Catholic High School in N.Y. Over the years I have tried to reestablish my Catholic faith, only to have another scandal unearthed. I have no idea why Pope Benedict chose to step down, but I accept it. There is no possible way for me to understand his decision so I will accept it on faith in God and Christianity.

[pgyanke]

I am a “casual” Catholic & I don’t like what I’m thinking.

I don't mean to be offensive with this... but there is no such thing as a "casual" Catholic. You either accept the identity and authority of the Church or you don't. "Casual" Catholicism gets us the Kennedy's, Kerry's and Pelosi's of the world. I recommend reading "Reasons to Believe" as a beginning to restoration in the Faith.

May God bless you.

[ontap]

My guess is at 86 the man simply realized the job was not his cup of tea and was tired of the hassle!!!

[stanne]

It can be truly breathtaking

In this case, just to NOT to imagine that the Pope has an ongoing conversation with God seems kooky.

Do people really think he gets in to the position for the housing, the wardrobe the perceived power?

Don’t they imagine that he is contemplative and meditates on the life of Jesus and what He told us?

They don’t realize that the Holy Spirit can and does send signs to those who choose to be receptive to them and that the Pope asks God to send signs and answers to questions about our doing God’’s will in daily, certainly significant events?

People on FR do tend to take secular news’ views when it comes to the Catholic Church. Definitely the Pope & the Vatican.

I see this headline and I go right to the Nat’l Catholic Register without poisoning my mind with this account

Much as I turn to Mark Levin for a factual account of legislative events, for instance

I’ve had many multi day discussions on this site just in failed effort to request proof of some anti catholic accusation or assertion

[glorgau]

No, it's not.

I use this in the Humpty Dumpty fashion - 'it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less'.

[pgyanke]

Over the years I have tried to reestablish my Catholic faith, only to have another scandal unearthed.

Consider that the scandals are the devil's tools to undermine the faith. It is very hard to find a case of priestly molestation that occurred since 2000. Sure, the case has come to a head since then but the offense typically occurred decades ago. We can certainly agree that the bishops screwed up the messaging and the leadership on the issue... but they did do something right in dealing with the problem. That isn't true in other areas of society (public schools, politicians, UN missions, et al).

I recommend Scott Hahn as an author for rebuilding your faith. A good place to start is "Reasons to Believe." May God bless you.

[reed13k]

I’m not pro or anti. both sides get “high and mighty”. Simple truth in my mind is that if you believe christ died and rose in 3 days and have faith and try to live a life without sin going forward your part of the deal.

I don’t trust any of the “organizations” but believe the church is made of all those who believe the above. The details beyond that are minor in comparison...

[dmz]

You would think I wouldn’t be shocked anymore at the anti-Catholic comments on FR...

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Exactly.

How ‘bout something we can all agree on like an anti-Mormonism thread.

Catholics and Protestants hating on each other is so inappropriate. So let’s get to hating on Mormonism and the Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Do I need a sarcasm tag?

[dmz]

Is it just the anti Catholic sentiment that is evil? Or is it evil when Catholics dismiss Protestantism (as is daily done here on this forum)?

[pgyanke]

I use this in the Humpty Dumpty fashion - 'it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less'.

Then I might call you an idiot... don't worry, though. It only means what I choose it to mean. That doesn't work, does it? Words have meanings. Your quip above is more of a liberal approach that seeks to control the debate through controlling the terms. I don't appreciate the approach from either source.

[pgyanke]

Is it just the anti Catholic sentiment that is evil? Or is it evil when Catholics dismiss Protestantism (as is daily done here on this forum)?

I see far more charity on here Catholic to Protestant than the reverse. While we try to educate and refute (and sometimes take umbrage... we're human), we tend to take vitriol and slander in response. This isn't 100% either way, though... it just tends to lean this way. Is it less evil when pointed at anyone else? No.

[marron]

God, the holy spirit, does speak into your inner man.

Some people recognize the voice, some people act on it without identifying it explicitly. Some people hear it but don’t have the nerve to act on it. Some people roll over and go back to sleep.

[BipolarBob]

Perhaps he had channeled Donald Trump and got a “Your fired” response?

[ctdonath2]

“I see far more charity on here Catholic to Protestant than the reverse”

Um...not from the Protestant perspective. A lot of Catholics post pretty nasty anti-Protestant threads for no apparent reason. Baiting isn’t charitable.

[BipolarBob]

You're not talking about Yopios® cereal are you? Or about you not belonging to the One True Church are you? Or if you try to read and understand the Scriptures on your own (Nobody can do that!!) then you are your own god in the mirror. These are just some of the ones I've encountered.

[USCG SimTech]

God is in constant communion with every single being. It is us that turn away and chose to instead admire our image in the mirror, listening only to our own physical sensors or memories of them.

[DoughtyOne]

I'm not a Catholic, and wasn't raised to appreciate them all that much.  No offense intended to anyone.  I just like to lay it out there so folks can understand where I am coming from.

In an age when men value power more than just about anything, here's a man that accepted what he thought was God's desire, and passed on the power to someone else.

I can't help but respect that.

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[.45 Long Colt]

Taking issue with a Roman pope is not mocking the spiritual in any way, shape, or form. He’s just a man who is no more worthy of reverence than any other man. In fact, based on the claims popes make of themselves they are worthy of nothing but my contempt.

John Calvin said, “A dog barks when his master is attacked. I would be a coward if I saw that God’s truth is attacked and yet would remain silent.” Everything a pope says or does as pope is an attack on the Master! I cannot be quiet while Catholics spread their soul-destroying propaganda.

Anyone who understands what is at stake with Rome I suggest the following:

Don’t Just Stand There—Say Something: The Sin of Silence in a Time of Trouble

http://www.albertmohler.com/2013/08/21/dont-just-stand-there-say-something-the-sin-of-silence-in-a-time-of-trouble-2/

[marron]

In an age when men value power more than just about anything, here's a man that accepted what he thought was God's desire, and passed on the power to someone else.

Exactly.

Its odd that there are people who believe that you pray for God's guidance and he doesn't give it.