Pope Benedict XVI Announces Resignation
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Geoffrey Miller is a catechist, cantor, and subdiaconate candidate at Our Lady's Maronite Catholic Parish in Austin, TX. He is also a Camaldolese Benedictine Oblate. As a twenty-five-year-old graduate student at Texas State University-San Marcos, he lives the evangelical counsel of poverty by force of circumstance, not by choice. When not consuming ramen noodles or writing papers, Geoffrey enjoys learning about theology, especially as it pertains to living out an authentic Catholic spirituality in the modern world. He also sports a pimped-out wheelchair. Geoffrey blogs over at http://pomeraniancatholic.blogspot.com/ as well, so check it out!

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Shocking news erupted from the Vatican early this morning—Pope Benedict XVI announced that he will abdicate the papacy on February 28, 2013. The Holy Father has cited advanced age and declining health as his rationale.

Although rare and controversial, resignation is perfectly legal according to Canon Law, the body of rules that governs Church life. The first Pope to resign was Celestine V, who left office on December 13, 1294. He cited similar reasons for leaving, including “the desire for humility, for a purer life, for a stainless conscience, the deficiencies of his own physical strength, his ignorance, the perverseness of the people, his longing for the tranquility of his former life.”

Coelestin_VReactions to Celestine V’s departure were immediate, fierce, and ugly. Dante Alighieri consigned the Pontiff to Hell in his famous poem, The Divine Comedy, the first third of which is commonly referred to as Dante’s Inferno. However, time vindicated the Pope’s peculiar decision, and today we know him as Pope St. Celestine V. Catholics should keep this in mind before racing to condemn Pope Benedict XVI’s actions. God is still in control, and his servant, our Holy Father Benedict, has not undertaken the decision to abdicate the throne of St. Peter lightly. I’m sure the Pope has very good, compelling reasons. The faithful should offer their prayers, support, and encouragement. Until more details emerge, speculation should cease. We will know more in due time. For now, let us fast and turn our hearts to the Lord.

For many, the next few months will be a trying time. Some may feel like our Holy Father is walking out on us and abandoning his family. There is no use in denying the pain, anger, and sorrow that we all feel. We must therefore offer comfort and support to all our brothers and sisters in Christ.

This is the year of faith—then, let us walk in faith with our one, true shepherd, Our Lord Jesus Christ, who will never forsake us and whose strength will never fail. Here at Austin Catholic New Media, our prayers are with all of the Church’s faithful on this dark and confusing day.

Follow the developing story:

EWTN News
Vatican News
National Catholic Register

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  • http://twitter.com/littlmon14 littlmon14

    I find the reactions from the populous to be disgusting and disheartening. The internet is full of vitriol and hate this morning.

    Not quite the way I was hoping to start Lent, but it is what it is. God bless B16, and I wish him well in his retirement.

  • JFran

    The fact of the matter is that while he’s as sharp as a tack, and our Shepard, he is still, with all due respect, an old man–most of his friends are either dead or enjoying their 3rd decade of retirement, while he is not only leading a church with many issues that need to be addressed, he’s dealing with a world where a large percentage down right hates him and what he stands for. It would be a stressful job for someone in their prime–a man of his age? Didn’t he also predict when he became Pope that he wouldn’t actually last that long (I think he said about 5 years) but he’s overshot that by a lot. While I love him as our Pope and Holy Father, I want the best for Papa and if rest is what he needs, then I support him. There have been times when I have looked at him and prayed that he would be okay as he looks so frail–these thoughts always lead to me wanting to give him a hug. I’m really not surprised by this. Given what he has said about his failing strength, he may not have been with us much longer even if he did stay.
    Love you Holy Father!

  • Jenni

    Shocking? Really? I think his stepping down is a courageous and honorable thing to do. We were lucky to have him as pope for a while. Now it’s time for someone else. God bless B16 and the church!

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