Pope’s Resignation a Gift to the Church

by Fr Brian O'Connell sm

No one saw it coming. Out of the blue at a Consistory summoned to announce three new saints, the Holy Father stunned his audience by dropping a bombshell - his resignation from the papacy at the end of the month. The reasons given were he lacked the strength to fulfil the office of Pontiff. The full text of his resignation speech is on Page 4 of this issue.
In doing so he ended the tradition that the Petrine ministry was in fact a life sentence, thus setting a precedent that his successors may follow. In the recent past the church experienced the difficult and drawn-out spectacle of a frail and ill Pope John Paul II carrying the burden of leadership to his dying breath. His courage was admirable, but that was not the issue. Suggestions from abroad that he should resign were treated by the Vatican as impertinent and disrespectful. Now all that is history, as Benedict has resigned freely and formally as he is permitted to in Canon Law.

Prince Felipe & Princess Letizia of Spain receive Pope Benedict XVI at Santiago de Compostela in 2010.

It is a gift to the Church in that in ministry to the People of God one is not expected to carry on beyond one’s strength. Weakness and frailty are always part of the expectations of ministry. Bishops are expected to offer their resignation at 75, but in recent history sovereign pontiffs were expected to carry on until death.
It is easy to forget that Benedict was older than John 23rd when elected. He will be remembered by the secular media as the Pope who resigned, not the brilliant theologian, nor the low key successor to John Paul II. In resigning he has changed the face of the modern papacy.

In his papacy he defeated some expectations of both supporters and opponents alike. He was gentle and humble, and used his formidable intellect to build up rather than tear down.
I will miss Benedict’s regular teachings at Angelus time in Rome. Always topical and readable, and often quotable. Also I appreciated his deep personal grasp of Mary’s place in the church. In his resignation speech he invokes her intercession and guidance at the coming Conclave.

Queen Elizabeth II and Cardinal Ratzinger while he was still Pope Benedict XVI.