Pope Benedict To Resign At The End Of Februrary

a good opportunity to dismantle the pool of doom......

reply to post by larphillips


Interestingly enough it was my friend the Priest who noted the word renounce to me. For full disclosure the Priest has been ordained and active with parishes for over 30 years and isn't into conspiracies at all (he was shocked that I believe TWA 800 was not a mechanical issue) yet he feels something is missing with this Papal resignation; I mention this to illustrate why I find "renounce" significant and the overall enormity of a Papal resignation.

Am I the only one who keeps thinking of that book the Last Pope?

As a (non-practicing) Catholic who has been an avid but irate student of the Church of Rome, I have to say that Benedict's resignation is a huge piece of news. I don't believe that it's the result of a prophecy, or the result of wanting to see a prophecy come true, or any other conspiratorial sort of thing.

I think he resigned because he's a hell of a lot more frail and ill than he has admitted to. It wouldn't surprise me to see him die before or shortly after his resignation.

Popes are not supposed to resign -- it is indeed an office to be maintained until death. (I almost wrote "natural death," until I remembered how many of them were allegedly poisoned in office for political reasons.) Benedict, being one of the hardline Popes -- well, I never saw this coming.

The Conclave of Cardinals will meet in March, likely within a week if not days after the resignation takes effect. Right now, there are no true papabile (those most likely to win election), so what's amusing the hell out of me is the sudden and unplanned for campaigning that will now begin behind the scenes by various cardinals and their factions.

As for me? I just think it's fun to live in history-making times. A Black President, a resigning Pope -- what's next? QEII abdicating in favor of her son? (Ugh.)

Originally posted by NickDC202
reply to post by theAnswer1111

 

You are correct TheAnswer. My friend the Priest is going to review the original text in the language it was initially written to fully decipher the usage of renounce.

He did share with me that there is absolutely no Biblical or Roman Catholic significance to February 28.

What's significant about the date is that it's the last day of the month.
That means not so much hassle to make his last pay check (as opposed to resigning a few days in the next month).

Administrative convenience

It has some meaning... I just don't know what. Probably something I'd rather not know, to be honest.

Yes, one can speculate that it's his age, some illness, blackmail, maybe even a case of having regrets or skeltons in the closet. But personally I think it's something more profound than that.

reply to post by RelSciHistItSufi

To me, the word "renounce" feels normal.
A man "resigns" a job,a temporary thing which comes to him from an employer, but he "renounces" a throne or the claim to a throne. The difference is that a throne is regarded as a property, what a man has of right. so he's giving something up.,
That's why the same expression would be used for giving up the Papacy, being regarded as a kind of throne rather than a kind of job.

reply to post by z00mster


That is HILLARIOUS!!! I literally am laughing out loud!

reply to post by DISRAELI


But you often hear of individuals renouncing their faith (usage as rejection) or renouncing their citizenship (usage as giving up)

Originally posted by magma

Originally posted by theAnswer1111
reply to post by DISRAELI

 

You're right. This is a highly unique thing to happen.

the first pontiff to do so in nearly 600 years.

Source

And it is all trendy.. Popes with twitter accounts... Popes with facebook.

I think its funny also. 85 and on twitter....LOL
Im sure it wasnt his choice.


Settle down...

I am glad to here he is resigning. Now lets hope we don't get anyone else in power who believes condoms are bad.

reply to post by NickDC202

Yes, that's the same kind of idea. Abandoning something that you've been keeping in your possession. "Shall i hold on to my faith, or renounce it?"
"Resignation" is used more often for jobs, which come from an employer, or posts given by a democratic electorate, so there's less of a sense that you're abandoning what belongs to you.
The Pope's office being more like a monarchy, words like "renounce" or "abdicate" are perfectly natural ones to use.

reply to post by NickDC202


There is no doubt about that. But, really, it could just be that the man is old and realizes he can't do the job right any more and doesn't want to be remembered in his last years as a sickly mess upon the papal throne.

reply to post by theone88


Did he stop you using contraception? Probably not.
Your life won't change now that he's gone. But please, if you feel you need to, rejoice.

reply to post by theAnswer1111


This is a pretty big deal regardless of beliefs. There is concern that they might pick an American Pope as a replacement which would mean that the superpower of the world would have control over might, money and religious authority.

That is SCARY.

reply to post by UnBreakable


When the Pope assumes that office there is nothing that says he has to stay there until he dies, other than tradition.

Let's face it, in the past it was easy to hold such an office until you died because not many people would have interacted with you and, though you had frail health, it would be possible to keep some level of dignity and respect in the faithful. Nowadays thanks to the media and technology we can view the Pope every day all day if we wanted to.

I wouldn't be surprised if Benedict just doesn't want to be remembered as a half dead mass who can't even turn the page of a book on his own; which will always be the picture of John Paul II in my mind.

The guy is 86 years old people. Seniors his age are in retirement homes or in the dirt. What is the conspiracy here? I really have a difficult time putting any faith whatsoever in Malachis supposed prophecy. The descriptions are vague and could be applied to anyone. I think some senators and congressman should follow suit and get out. The politician from Arizona is a prime example..I mean seriously, Benedict has to be eat up with ptsd from murdering Jews.

I think the strange thing is that he resigned. But maybe it's for the best.

Pope John Paul didn't resign even though some suggested it would be in his and the Church's best interest. I guess it's a personal choice. If the man is unwell, he can't be expected to carry on. He's the grand old age of 85, i don't think it's a shocker that he is frail and ill.

I understand the need to find a conspiracy in this, and if there is a valid one, please let me know. Because i AM interested. I just think sometimes you have to take it for what it is. An ill, frail old man who has too much responsibility than he can take and has to step down. To me, that doesn't seem odd...

According to Italian TV (sorry , no link), the news of the Pope`s resignation has been censored in China...
Couldn`t find any news related to this in net searches...