A Few More Reflections on the Pope's Resignation...

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I have received nearly a hundred emails about this.... so... Lightening struck hours after the announcement Just a few more of my reflections.... Something that the media is not reporting because it takes away from the 'conspiracy theory buzz'  (in everything from a sex abuse coverup to the often talked about St. Malachy prophecy to resignation under duress to getting out before a financial scandal breaks) is that when Pope Benedict interviewed with Peter Seewald in the 2010, he stated that it is his belief that if a pope is unable to fulfill his duties, he should resign.  The word 'duty' resonates down to the very core of every good German.  He must be fairly confident in his college of Cardinals...and the Holy Spirit. He will be the last pope to have participated in Vatican II. (Hopefully his reflections on the subject will be guideposts for future leaders of the Church on the topic.) We will know who the next pope is likely before Easter. In terms of the general direction of the Church, this upcoming papacy will be THE MOST critical since the council. Why? Clearly, those up and coming priests and seminarians are far more orthodox than many of those in charge of the seminaries and dioceses (based on age difference). The next pope will be in power long enough for that aging generation of 'heterodox' priests to pass on and generally let the younger more orthodox take the baton...he can ensure a smooth transition or, by passivity, delay the inevitable takeover of those who believe in more than just social justice and secular humanist principles (i.e. the original Catholic faith, which is in large part buried right now). If it is delayed, people will continue leaving the Church in large numbers.  The humble man has trust that his work will not be lost by giving up power. And he trusts that the next man appointed will be appointed by the Holy Spirit.  Get ready for the media to start spinning the story. These are people who all of a sudden become experts on Church law each time a pope dies and they somehow know what everything he did meant for the Church, the same Church which they generally disagree with on so many issues.  Wait for phrases like  "The pope said it was due to not being able to fulfill his duties. The people had much to deal with resolving sexual abuse cases and has been accused in the past of coverups." "Many considered Benedict to be as conservative as they come." (I can assure that is not true....take his resignation for exhibit A) "Pope Benedict was famous for criticizing the Muslims, bringing back out-dated and irrelevant liturgy, and being the last out of touch and outdated Pope. Did we mention he was outdated and old and out of touch? He liked the Latin Mass and old stuff."  When Pope Benedict visited the tomb of Pope Celestine (that last pope to resign) he laid his pallium there. For more on that topic click here (very interesting) When it comes to BFTC...we have just witnessed the general, the head honcho of one entire side resign his position. When that happens in battle, its not unexpected for that entire side of the fight to feel a little bit of fear, uncertainty and discomfort and for the opposing side to feel emboldened gladdened and hopeful that they can now move in---This is only resolved when the next man steps up to the plate...or when true Christian faith kicks in.

I have received nearly a hundred emails about this.... so...

Lightening struck hours after the announcement

Just a few more of my reflections....

• Something that the media is not reporting because it takes away from the 'conspiracy theory buzz'  (in everything from a sex abuse coverup to the often talked about St. Malachy prophecy to resignation under duress to getting out before a financial scandal breaks) is that when Pope Benedict interviewed with Peter Seewald in the 2010, he stated that it is his belief that if a pope is unable to fulfill his duties, he should resign. 
• The word 'duty' resonates down to the very core of every good German. 
• He must be fairly confident in his college of Cardinals...and the Holy Spirit.
• He will be the last pope to have participated in Vatican II. (Hopefully his reflections on the subject will be guideposts for future leaders of the Church on the topic.)
• We will know who the next pope is likely before Easter.
• In terms of the general direction of the Church, this upcoming papacy will be THE MOST critical since the council. Why? Clearly, those up and coming priests and seminarians are far more orthodox than many of those in charge of the seminaries and dioceses (based on age difference). The next pope will be in power long enough for that aging generation of 'heterodox' priests to pass on and generally let the younger more orthodox take the baton...he can ensure a smooth transition or, by passivity, delay the inevitable takeover of those who believe in more than just social justice and secular humanist principles (i.e. the original Catholic faith, which is in large part buried right now). If it is delayed, people will continue leaving the Church in large numbers. 
• The humble man has trust that his work will not be lost by giving up power. And he trusts that the next man appointed will be appointed by the Holy Spirit. 
• Get ready for the media to start spinning the story. These are people who all of a sudden become experts on Church law each time a pope dies and they somehow know what everything he did meant for the Church, the same Church which they generally disagree with on so many issues. 
• Wait for phrases like 
• "The pope said it was due to not being able to fulfill his duties. The people had much to deal with resolving sexual abuse cases and has been accused in the past of coverups."
• "Many considered Benedict to be as conservative as they come." (I can assure that is not true....take his resignation for exhibit A)
• "Pope Benedict was famous for criticizing the Muslims, bringing back out-dated and irrelevant liturgy, and being the last out of touch and outdated Pope. Did we mention he was outdated and old and out of touch? He liked the Latin Mass and old stuff." 
• When Pope Benedict visited the tomb of Pope Celestine (that last pope to resign) he laid his pallium there. For more on that topic click here (very interesting)
• 
  

• When it comes to BFTC...we have just witnessed the general, the head honcho of one entire side resign his position. When that happens in battle, its not unexpected for that entire side of the fight to feel a little bit of fear, uncertainty and discomfort and for the opposing side to feel emboldened gladdened and hopeful that they can now move in---This is only resolved when the next man steps up to the plate...or when true Christian faith kicks in.