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Subscribe to RSSMentioning no specific ailment other than 'advanced age,' Pope Benedict's parting came as a shocking announcement for many – except for the Pope's brother, who said he knew Benedict had been thinking about stepping down for months. NBC's Richard Engel reports.
Updated at 2:57 p.m. ET: Pope Benedict XVI shocked Catholics around the world Monday by saying that he no longer had the mental or physical strength to carry out his job and would become the first pope since the Middle Ages to give up the title.
The pope, speaking in Latin, informed a small gathering of cardinals at the Vatican of his decision. The abdication will take effect on Feb. 28, and cardinals could gather as early as March to elect a successor.
Benedict, 85, said later in a statement that the papacy required “strength of mind and body,” and that both had deteriorated in recent months. He said that he had made the decision “after having repeatedly examined my conscience before God.”
The abdication closes an eight-year pontificate widely recognized as deeply conservative. The church also spent much of Benedict’s term grappling with sexual abuse scandals.
The pope’s decision shot quickly through the dioceses of the world, and some of the 1.2 billion faithful — from laity to the very cardinals who were in the room — expressed profound surprise.
“I’m as startled as the rest of you and as anxious to find out exactly what’s going on,” Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York, said on TODAY. “Except for prayer, I don’t know what else to do. I’ll await instruction with everyone else.”
In an announcement that stunned Catholics around the world, Pope Benedict XVI revealed he will be stepping down from his position, citing failing strength. NBC's Michelle Kosinski reports on his eight years as pope.
Monsignor Oscar Sanchez of Mexico, who was at the Vatican for the announcement, was quoted by The Associated Press as saying that the cardinals “remained shocked and were looking at each other.”
President Barack Obama said in a statement that he and first lady Michelle Obama “warmly remember our meeting with the Holy Father in 2009, and I have appreciated our work together over these last four years.”
Canon law says that the pope may relinquish his office provided that the decision is “made freely and properly manifested” — language to which Benedict appeared to allude in his statement.
Because there is no one in the church higher than the pope to accept a resignation, the renouncement is technically an abdication.
The last pope universally recognized to have abdicated was Celestine V, who was elected in July 1294 and gave up the job five months later after feeling that he was being manipulated by the King of Sicily and Naples. He was declared a saint in 1313.
During a period of division known as the Great Western Schism, from 1378 to 1415, there were three rival claimants to the papacy. The legitimate pope, Gregory XII, abdicated to make way for an undisputed pope.
Benedict’s abdication clears the way for the College of Cardinals to gather at the Vatican to elect a successor, a process in which the United States is expected to have unprecedented sway.
The U.S. will have 11 votes, almost 10 percent of the electorate and the second-largest voting bloc behind Italy, which will have 28 votes. Germany, the home country of the current pope, will have six.
It appears highly unlikely that an American will be elected Benedict’s successor. Dolan, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, is considered a longshot for the job.
The archbishop of New York, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, explains the "mixed emotions" he feels about the news that Pope Benedict XVI will resign on February 28, saying he feels a "special bond" with the pope.
Among the cardinals mentioned as possible successors are Angelo Scola of Italy, Peter Turkson of Ghana, Marc Ouellet of Canada and Francis Arinze of Nigeria and Christoph Schoenborn of Austria.
Cardinal Donald Wuerl, the archbishop of Washington, told reporters that the cardinals would be looking for an “articulate voice” for the church and would keep in mind Benedict’s tradition.
“He has called all of us to focus on the spiritual mission of the church, proclaim the gospel and once again begin this personal relationship all of us are capable of having with God back to the foreground,” he told reporters at St. Matthew’s Cathedral.
Benedict, then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, was elected April 19, 2005. He was the 265th pope and the successor to John Paul II, who had served since 1978 and was wildly popular among the faithful.
Born in 1927, he had been conscripted into the Hitler Youth during World War II, but he never joined the Nazi Party, and his family opposed the regime of Adolf Hitler, Reuters reported.
Ratzinger, before being elevated to pope, headed the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which oversees church doctrine. His strict approach to theology earned him the nickname “God’s Rottweiler.”
NBC New Vatican analyst George Weigel gives his thoughts on Pope Benedict XVI's announcement of his resignation, and explains how a new pope will be selected.
He sought to rekindle the faith of Catholics and bring them closer to the teachings of the church. He worried that too many had strayed, and said in 2005 that the parts of the world suffered from “a strange forgetfulness of God.”
During Benedict’s papacy, thousands of people came forward to report that priests had raped or molested them as children and that bishops had covered it up.
It was Benedict’s old office that dealt with abuse cases, yet Benedict never admitted failure himself or of the Vatican, and never punished bishops who ignored or covered up the abuse.
“He could go around and minister to victims, which he did, and I think that was a brave and profound thing to do, but he couldn’t change the definitive elements of the Catholic Church that enable abuse,” said Michael D’Antonio, author of “Mortal Sins: Sex, Crime, and the Era of Catholic Scandal.”
“He would have had to pick up the church and drag it into the 21st century, but you know he could have,” he said. “He might have died trying, the stress of that might have been even more profound, he would have faced tremendous intrigue and opposition but I suspect that instead he may go down in history as a caretaker, an interpersonally kind pastor who made no mark when he had the chance to.”
Bill Donahue, president of the Catholic League, said that Benedict had tackled the abuse problem much more aggressively than John Paul II, who he said had let the issue languish.
“Nobody clearly did more to counter this problem in the Catholic Church” than Benedict, Donahue said. “I think history will treat him very well in terms of dealing with the problem.”
Benedict continued the outreach to Jews of his predecessor, John Paul II, and was the second pope to enter a synagogue. His relationship with Muslims, however, was much more complex.
He generated outrage among Muslims when, in 2006, he gave a speech in Germany and quoted a Byzantine emperor who had characterized some of the Prophet Muhammad’s teachings “as evil and inhuman.”
Benedict also stirred an uproar in 2009 when, en route to Africa and discussing the AIDS epidemic with reporters, he said that the distribution of condoms “increases the problem” rather than preventing the spread of the disease.
A year later, in an interview, he said that a male prostitute who used a condom to avoid passing HIV to his partner might be taking a step toward more responsible sexuality.
James Salt, executive director of Catholics United, which claims 40,000 members and wants the church to focus more on social justice and poverty, praised the abdication as a “sign of humility from the aging Holy Father” and encouraged the church to reflect on the “challenges of this papacy.”
He suggested that the church open itself to a pope from Latin America or Africa.
Joseph Ratzinger became Pope Benedict XVI in 2005. Look back at his life from childhood through his papacy.
NBC News staff writer Miranda Leitsinger, Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Related:
'Heavy heart but complete understanding': Pope's resignation stuns leadership
Archbishop Dolan of New York: I'm startled, anxious at pope's resignation
From prisoner of war to pontiff: A timeline of Benedict XVI's life
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Here we go...just one more...I think? We'll see.
Carry on
Donny Darko staring at the rabbit. He looks evil, behind his eyes...like a pedophile looks at kids. He has always creeped me out.
Now he can get back to what he enjoys best....little boys!
Pope Benedict "Every time I try to leave they keeep dragging me back!"
Evil takes a Holiday?
Heil Hitler (don't worry, I am not a Hilter fan...I am just saying goodbye to the Pope in a way he is comfortable with).
Americans for ermoval etc. You gave me the first laugh of the week with your deranged name/post about the Pope. Stay crazy. Stay in character.
It will be sad to see the Sith Lord pope go.
The Catholic religion...all religions...are a scourge on humankind. More people have died and more wars have been fought in the name of religion than for any other reason. The Catholic policy on contraception has contributed to over population in countries such as Mexico. The Vatican is filthy rich, but so many Catholics have starved over time while priests became fat.
Wow. Completely unexpected. I hadn't heard that his health was so poor that he couldn't complete his term and let God 'resign' him.
I wonder if that is actually the real reason or if there's some religious political maneuvering going on behind the scenes. Thus far his period in office has been marked by several very public scandals; the ongoing disagreement with the nuns; the 'The Butler Did It' scandal, and the refusal to turn erring clergy over to secular authority per the dictates of secular law. The scandal puts the Church in a bad light, and as the majority of public support seems to be behind the nuns, all of this adds to PR nightmare and the Church, who originally elected this Pope for his conservatism and a return to traditional Christian values, may have discovered he's too conservative for modern times.
It will be interesting to see who the Vatican picks as their new pope; if the new pope has much more moderate views, it may bolster the suspicion that the old Pope was compelled to 'resign' due to socio-political maneuvering in the Vatican.
That being said, however, it is also an indicator of how the Church has strayed from their faith. As i understand it, the first 'head' of the Catholic Church was Peter, appointed by Jesus as the 'Rock' on which to build His Church. To thus elect a pape and then have him resign shows a lack of faith in God's judgement to pick this pope to lead the Church...and also makes one wonder whether God was even included in the decision-making process at all.
195,000 in one year to medical error. I think the medical profession is the number one killer.
Good riddance to this vermin....glad to see the trash is being taken out....now who will be the next snake to lead this group of criminals called the Catholic Church....SMDH!!!!
Ratzinger leaves of his own accord? There must be more to this story...
Good riddance to the Nazi sympathizer!
Pope Benedict XVI you will be missed. I'm not Catholic but I respected this man more than the previous Pope. My esteem for the man has gone up another notch. Very few with in his place would have put the church ahead of themselves. Enjoy the rest of your days.
"I told you that we shouldn't have given him an iPad. Just look at his browsing history files!"--Church leaders
I never ceases to amaze me the limitless hate and ugliness one can find in the anonymity of the internet! some of you people have such an ugly, hateful mindset and yet you have the audacity to belittle and speak lowly of others! The very bile you spill sets you as low as those you demean.
Check yourselves before you start badmouthing others!!!!
Joe Ratzinger is off to Majorca for some fun in the sun! I wonder what the retirement package is like.
Hopefully the church won't elect someone who is 403 years old this time. Their choice was in part governed by their desire to see him die soon. Then you can have another search, another election, more smoke, more mystery, and another "re-birth" of Catholicism. Even with this man being widely disliked in his own home country, they picked him, and the new Pope still led to an increase in Mass attendance world-wide. Perhaps this time they will look for someone who is beloved by his flock and not just look for someone who will drop-off after a decade.
Wow, only one more left
Excellent post, thewordsmith! I couldn't have said it better.
This news does shock me! Pope Benedict is a very humble, good man and he will be missed. I wonder what his role as ex-Pontiff will be like? For all the haters of this good, brilliant leader, try reading his many publications. Although sometimes hard to grasp after one reading, his wisdom certainly comes from the Lord!
He could be suffering dementia or Alzheimers. I did not know Popes could resign. I thought they were in until they died and then on to the next one. Nope, not Catholic (obviously.)
Does he get a plack and pen set?
This story isn't over yet...and I am not talking about all the pomp and circumstance of choosing a new Pope with the black and white smoke, etc.
I mean, I want to know WHAT from his past finally caught up with him that compelled him to step down? Who is the baby mama? Who is the gay lover? Who was the kid he molested?
Or (even more of a shock to the world), did he decide to become a Southern Baptist?
(And of course, get a good look at thispost while you can - in about 5 minutes it will say "Collapsed by the community")
I'll not collapse it. It should remain for everyone to see your hate and bigotry.
Roadkill, I want to make a joke about the retirement "package" but it would be in bad taste.
I couldn't have said it better myself, wordsmith--Pathetic losers hiding behind user names
The Pope did the right thing. It is a very important function that requires a lot of energy and skill. Let them pick a younger candidate this time.
I agree Max. Heck, maybe only about two percent of the world's population makes it to 85 anyway, if that. So getting old in itself is not for the weak, or the meek; never mind whether you're pope or not. Wish him all the best.
I think its time for a Brazilian Pope..I not from Brazil but that country is going to be an economic powerhouse in the next 2 decades, and its huge population is made up of predominantly devout Catholics..Its going to go through some intense growing pains, and will need a strong figure to help guide it.
I for one am glad to see him go, and I am not even catholic. He has damaged the relationship between catholics and people of other faiths with some of his rhetoric. He has particularly damaged the relationship between jews and the catholic church. I know that they have repeatedly said that he wasn't a nazi and that his participation in the Hitler youth was only because it was mandatory, but some of his words and actions point towards a definite anti-jewish sentiment. Also, the split between nuns and priests that has been allowed to continue unresolved under his watch is damaging the church. I think that his departure could be a very good thing for the church assuming that they select someone more moderate an forward looking to take his place.
ABCzyx - you need to do a little research - the communists (China and Russia) killed more people (estimated 150 million) in the 20th century than all religions combined.... And they are atheist regimes...Just a quick fact for you...
Also, the Romans, the Egyptians, the Greeks all killed and took slaves. What religion did they do that for? Oh yeah, there was no religion, they killed for their leaders - You idiot!!!
OK you can let your war on religion continue... Go ahead and try kicking religion out of our society - then you can sit and complain that our society has gone downhill
Damyou--"This site is supposed to be full of caring loving liberals" Seriously? You don't come here often, do you? It is very easy to find the most racist, fascist, right wing trolls and cretinous conservatives on this site. Any story about President Obama or the First Family?? They flock to Newsvine. In fact the recent complete overhaul of the site and the introduction of the ridiculous concept pf "nations" is, I think, little more than an attempt to keep us from attacking each other as "individuals".
Not sure they could find anyone worse than what this guy has been but you never know what evil lurks in the Vatican.
"I never ceases to amaze me the limitless hate and ugliness one can find in the anonymity of the internet!"
I agree. I'm an atheist but I cannot understand the hate directed at the Pope. And it goes deeper that that. Some of the comments about the storm in New England last week were worse. Many of the comments were along the lines of -- well -- they're just a bunch of liberals so let them freeze to death. We seem to have way too many people who angry with everybody all the time and are bent on making everyone as miserable and hate filled as they are.
With all due respect, your assessment strikes me as naive at best.
Ratzinger looked the other way for years while pedophile priests were shuffled off to new parishes to molest more unsuspecting children. The reparations paid to victims in the Diocese of Los Angeles alone are over $650 million to date.
Ratzinger resigned very suddenly, and in Latin? That should give you a clue that there is more to this story than an old man seeking a quiet retirement.
But then, some people obviously want to be lead around by a ring in their nose.
I like the picture of him in his "Hitler Youth" Uniform. The media said he was "an unwilling member" lol
But no worries, he is dying slowly and will meet god. God will be the final judge. who knows, maybe he has done enough good to gain forgiveness. or not.
Usually, the pope stays around until the end so that they can trot him out in front of the public as a living relic. (Religionists like relics).
But this time, this sneaky-looking old creep is getting (forced?) out before - only just before - the $candals begin lapping at his papal drag.
Pope Rat was not the only Pope who looked the other way. It has been going on for decades.
The Pope not only is in charge of the Church, but is also head of running the City, within the City, within the country. Sure he has a lot of people around him as do any other high profile leaders, but I,m sure that with all the court cases coming down on the church world wide and attendance dropping someone younger, that has the energy to withstand the world press, is seen as a viable leader with a contemporary message would be better for the church in the long run if it is to survive.
Here is hoping the new Pope is someone who will crack down on the abuses of some of his leaders and not ignore them, also, someone who lives in the 21st Century and not the Middle Ages when it comes birth control and women's health.
Today, I do not wish to say anything negative as my brother-in-law is in the hospital having heart surgery at the very moment I am typing this and he can use all the positive Karma possible!
Except, Steve, that Catholics believe the Pope is chosen by God as His representative on Earth.
The Pope cannot resign...he stays until he dies. That is Church tradition.
There is more to this than meets the eye. Wait and see.
thewordsmith -- you should get a new name because your comment contains very poor grammar and abysmal punctuation!
All this talk about pedophiles. I'm an atheist and even I can see that teachers rape far more of our children that the church ever thought about...
His boys in Brazil aren't getting any younger, either. Don't forget your condoms, Paps!
That's your argument in support of pedophile priests?
kaybeetoys
While normally I would agree, in this case the conclave chose (elected) this Pope to lead, not God. He is seen by the members of the church as a direct link to God, messenger of the word of God, and leader of the traditions of the Church doctrine.
I would hope for their own that the church would pick (elect) someone younger that will be able to lead the church for a long time, and be able to mend some of the distance the church has seen over the last 10 years plus with it's worshipers. I think that has been the argument about the church for the last 2 popes.
It's too bad that most people don't know what you mean by that..... one of the reasons they may be deceived.
As a former Catholic (for the first 15 years of my life) I hope this will lead to a 21st Century Pope with a more inclusive mindset. This Medieval mentality that still prevails in the Vatican is causing a lot of problems for this church. Get rid of priests not being able to marry, allow female priests (Jesus never said anything on this subject, only Saul/Paul did, and he was a misogynist), allow people to use contraception so those who are in poverty aren't forced to have families they can't afford to care for, etc... I'll have much more respect for them if they do come into the modern age, as will many others.
@ Americans for the removal of... My Native American friends would like to know when you are leaving? Anyone not Native American is an illegal alien, since our ancestors never asked their ancestors for permission to move to North America, nor did they ask to be slaughters and killed by purposefully infected blankets. My one family has been here since the 1820's, but I am not a native of the US, only the descendant of immigrants, much like YOU. Stop putting your ethnic hatred on display please. It is vile, and has nothing to do with this topic about a Pope stepping down.
How about some sort of citation for that claim?
And here's a hint for you: there are far more teachers than there are priests. How about a per capita comparison?
Joe Ratzinger decided to quit when he found out that he was getting fired. The Lord always has a way to remove those that attempt to lead the children of men astray. From now on, Joe will always be considered to be the 90% pope because he was too cowardice to fulfill the other 10% of his committment. Maybe the world can have a pope that doesn't hide child pornography under his vestments. Just another thought, did pope john paul II hide the fact that joe committed sexual perversions with children. If he did, then the Lord should have removed jpII as well.
maybe the next pope will be black.
Poor health is no excuse for this resignation. As a head of state he would have access to the world's finest medical care. As the head of the Church, he would have access to millions of prayers, and financial donations. As the head of the Catholic Church he would have the support of centuries of past saints lobbying the Virgin Mary in his behalf. It's not like he's like some guy who offloads freight on the railroad with a bad back, a bad foot, and asthma. I think he's resigning because the world's population is paying less and less attention to the Church's edicts on personal behavior as scandals engulf the leaders in the Church.
Anybody here ever had to take care of elderly relatives? This man has not aged well and is not going to get better. He has seemed disoriented and will only get more so. The Catholic Popes are not required to stay in their position til death.
At least there is enough common sense somewhere for him to resign. A few recent ones should have, instead of holding on to the job for so long.
Honestly, who really cares? The position of pope (and so is the position of "pastor" "minister" "preist" etc.) is outdated and over-rated anyway. There isn't a person on the planet who doesn't mold, bend, twist or rationalize their religion in every way possible to suit their own personal agenda. Nobody really needs a "spiritual leader" to help them do that. They should just liquidate all of Rome (and EVERY church for that matter) and split the proceeds among all of the people they've been ripping off through weekly "tithings" all these years!
Totally shocking but, after reflection, not surprising. Considering that Pope Hitler Youth was THE point person in the church hierarchy providing cover for the pedophiles in the Catholic church (after years of feigning ignorance and hiding the true depth of the scandal), I can only surmise that either the POS's conscience finally got to him or there is a sh*tload of stuff on the verge of being publicly disclosed. I'll go with the later as opposed to the former because any criminal like him who can go to the depths he did to cover up the rampant pedophilia and STILL accept the "popeship" in the church does NOT have conscience ... well, at any rate, glad to see him out of his dresses ... but, nothing would please me more than to see Pope Hitler Youth in orange prison garb ...
I live over there (here...Italy...Rome), and more than a few people are curious as to why now- also because Italian elections are pretty much minutes away...
Its also led to quite a few jokes about Berlusconi offering his services to the Vatican if he can't get something out of the elections now. From Pope Benedict to Pope Bungabunga...
I always thought he looked like the spitting image of Darth Sidious.
OMG! It's Pope Palpatine! Where the Hell is Skywalker and Yoda when ya need them?!
I love how the first picture in the slide show is from his Hitler Youth days. Then after the fact, they go into his earlier childhood ... I call that a Jew Media spin move.
Jedi:
I feel exactly the same way about his eyes - they look evil. More worrisome, however, is the prediction of St. Malachay, which says that the next pope will be the final pope - and the antichrist.
I'd take a pedophile over the antichrist anyday.
We are indeed in end times. A blind man could see it.
Ratzinger, the ex-Hitler youth, and head if the inquisition is out. All reports of priests abusing their office went directly to him to be burried. What gem will chose this time?
Well, Jen, if the "end of times" means the end of the catholic church (ie., cult), so be it. Actually, no more popes would be great. Whatever will they do with the wealth of Vatican City...maybe open a museum?
There is so much anti-Catholic venom, backwardness, and so much stupidity in many of these posts. Your bigotry is appalling. Why don't all give it a rest...
The Pope is elected by the conclave with the belief that God directly guides their choice.
As a non-Catholic, I think it's all a load of bunk. Going all the way back to the beginning, the Catholic Church has been marred by its corruption, greed and lust for power.
Martin Luther made a lot of good points.
I would hope the Church remakes itself entirely... allows priests to marry, allows women to hold leadership posts, treats the issues people face (contraception!!!) rationally, and stops pretending that they are the one true path to God, that they have all the answers, that if you don't buy ino their looniness you will burn in hell for eternity...stuff like that.
Or they could just dissolve the Catholic Church now rather than let it die a slow, agonizing death.
Whenever I look at comment boards like this, I'm always saddened by the hateful comments aimed at the Catholic Church. There are 1.2 billion Catholics in the world, but looking at these comments, you'd think there are only about 10. There is no political shiftiness going on here; Pope Benedict XVI is 85 years-old, and he is physically no longer able to fulfill the duties of pope to the best of his ability. Therefore, he is doing the responsible thing by stepping down so that another can best lead the Church in these trying times.
For all of you who believe that he wasn't an unwilling participant in WWII, I suggest you read almost ANYTHING the man has ever written. He vehemently opposed the tragedies that occurred in his homeland, and his emphasis on the New Evangelization has always included a profound respect and love for every single individual in the world. Don't tell me he secretly enjoyed serving in Hitler's Youth; it's simply not true.
vfeinstein, what do you know about the Pope's past? Were you there during his time in the Hitler Youth? What do you know about anything? Do you know what happened to kids that didn't join the Hitler Youth? I wonder what you would have done in that situation,when they came after you and your family and you would just disappear from the face of the earth? I know, because I was there. I am , and have been , a proud citizen of the United States for a long time, probably longer than you have been alive. If you have something to say, learn the facts, don't be like most of the other posters, condemn someone on hearsay. Are all you haters so much superior to everyone else?
I was raised Catholic, even though I renounced my faith when I was in college, and this is good news because Benedict has been a PR disaster.
There is far more to the story than what we are being told now and I wonder what scandal that Bennie is running from because you just don't retire if the Pope gets sick. The Vatican can no longer hide their pedophile ring, the butler's scandal is opening new doors, not to mention this Pope cannot relate to people.
The Vatican and the Catholic Church are a scrounge on humanity and it will be a great day when the secrets of the Vatican are opened to the public and St Peters basilica is another Roman art museum instead of the seat of an organized crime ring.
Prayer and financial donations aren't going to improve his health. Even the "world's finest medical care" can't fix every problem caused by the natural aging process. Some peope are vibrant past 100, others are worn out by 65. He's had a long career. Let him enjoy the rest of his life in peace.
Actions speak louder than words.
I suggest you read what he has done.
When you're the top guy, answerable to no one, scandals are irrelevant.
Wow! I hear there isn't much of a retired plan!
This is Breaking News??? I guess Honey Boo wasnt entertaining our fine "journalists"? Or Snooki was in hiding? Oh well....another pedophile steps down....whooppeee!!!
Real Breaking News.....Our deficit is STILL at ridiculous highs and NO one in our pathetic government really wants to do anything about it....and while Bush and Obama have killed countless innocent children...our govt wants to focus on gun control! Not becasue they care, or because they truly believe its a problem.....but because they sense and have stated that their is a civil war coming!!! They just want to have the upper hand!
When the Mormon church comes out and acknowledges that homosexuality is not a choice, and you still haven't, you know you are behind the times = The Pope.
This whole line of posts is filled with bigotry. Amazing that people who think you can't attack jews, african americans, muslims, buddhists, hispanics, etc. think it's ok to attack Christians.
sparklystar... religion is founded upon imagination, not fact.
Pointing that out it is not an attack. Unless you're someone who believes that your imagination is better than anyone else's imagination. Unless you cannot hold a mirror up to yourself and bravely question what you have been taught, whether it makes sense or not.
It is the height of arrogance to claim to hold the only key to the hereafter (if there is one), as the Catholic Church does. If that comes across as an attack, I do not apologize.
If he wasn't prepared to serve until death, he shouldn't have accepted the position.
Oh boy! A Religious article! Here's a thought. "When facisism comes to America it will come wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross!" I can't remember who said that but they were right on the mark.
NJ Steve, post 1.34. Yes, the Romans killed in the name of Jesus. Once Constantine declared that Christianity was the official state religion, the reign of terror began. Check out what happened to the Gnostics. Have a nice day.
If heaven if full of guys like this Pope, then heaven isnt a place I want to be.
I don't know how you get a free pass when you allowed children to be sexually abused.
And make no mistake about it, he absolutely did that when he re-assigned known pedophiles to other churches so as to "resolve the matter".
Or how you decide to join Hitler Youth (apparently mandatory) and claim you were against it.
If you were against it, you wouldnt have joined - and yes, the penalty PROBABLY would have been death.
IMAGINE IF EVERYONE OPPOSED TO HITLER HAD DONE THAT?
thats the difference between having faith in GOD and doing what you know is right in your heart....
and simply saving yourself. which is what he did.
this is not a man of GOD, this is a man of himself...and proven time and time again.
and it's sad that modern christians dont recognize a "false prophet" when they see one.
sparklystarr - oh the christians, always the MOST persecuted.
always the victims when people speak honestly about the hypocrises and fallacies of your faith.
yes, some people are being mean and snarky for the sake of it - call that as you wish.
But pointing out that this church, and it's dear leaders allowed children to be sexually abused - and they cared more about their image than those children...
thats not Bigotry my dear.
Thats reality. And it bites, huh?
Wow ! A man of faith decides to step down due to health and aging reasons .... and the libtards unite in a massive circle-jerk of bat-$hit crazy remarks !
To make matters worse, ABC starts the nonsense this morning trying desperately to SPIN a religious matter into something POLITICAL ! No campaigning here ABC... go back to worshiping at the altar of Obama !!
Oh, and kaybee toybrain ... stepping down HAS been done before ! Try reading the article for a change.
Here's the real reason he quit.
https://www.hbo.com/documentaries/mea-maxima-culpa/index.html
The truth is out there now. He basically oversaw every single sexual abuse case in the world and did nothing about them, in fact chose to only protect the disgusting priests. In the coming days and weeks this will all come out. Evil personified.
Yes, that is true. How did you know that?
I recommend "The Pope's War" by Matthew Fox. It discusses three decades of corruption in the Catholic Church.
It's funny to see all of the haters on here bash this guy. Bottom line is that you all have a big problem with the Catholic religion (and probably all religions in general).
Just keep worshipping your president oblama. See where that gets you.
The Pope, despite the popular impression put out by the Vatican elders, is not chosen by God but by men--the council at the Vatican. While one might like to think that God divinely inspired the elders to elect a particular person, the factual truth is that anyone appointed by man can choose to resign.
Now, if God himself made an appearance in a very publicly viewable fashion and announced that Pope Benedict should continue to head His church, I doubt even the Pope would continue to naysay God's will. as he has chosen to do nothing of the sort, we humans must simply muddle on as best we can.
Hopefully, this time these men will not choose a former Nazi, pedophile protecting misogynist!
For anyone scoffing at the 'stepping down for health reasons' bit, here's an article from January 1 of last year. Note the sentence I highlighted in boldface;
The papal year 2012 begins with the focus of some in the media not on Pope Benedict XVI’s writings or even the on-going challenge of the sex abuse crisis but on the state of the pontiff’s health. Renewed questions about the pope’s physical condition have added a new element of concern to what is a busy schedule of papal travel and events in the coming year.
The pope plans to visit Mexico, Cuba, Monaco and Ukraine, while the big travel question remains as yet unanswered: a journey to Ireland in June for the 50th International Eucharistic Congress.
And then there is a packed fall papal schedule in Rome, including the Synod of Bishops, the start of the Year of Faith and the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council.
Last October, the world’s media— not to mention Catholics everywhere — were surprised by the news that Pope Benedict had started using a wheeled platform to assist the long walk down the central aisle of St. Peter’s Basilica. The transport device was last seen during the final years of Pope Blessed John Paul II’s pontificate, so the visual was a striking one. The Italian journalist and Vatican expert Andrea Tornielli subsequently revealed that the pope is suffering from a degenerative condition in the joints of his legs that makes walking painful. Wild speculation that the pontiff might retire in April when he turns 85 was dismissed by the Vatican, but it is clear that Pope Benedict still faces the natural challenges of being an octogenarian.
One thing that is certain, of course, is that any limitations on the pope’s mobility will require logistical measures for his assistance once the papal trips for the year begin.
The visits to Cuba and Mexico will bring Pope Benedict back to Latin America, where the Church is growing exponentially but also grappling with great dangers, including the poaching of Catholics by Pentecostals, secularism and agnosticism, economic instability and a new drift toward anti-Catholic leftist governments.
The journey to Cuba will be officially to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the discovery of the image of Our Lady of Charity of Cobre, the patroness of Cuba. Mexico is a logical addition to the itinerary given its size and importance in Latin America. Look for Pope Benedict to tie the problems faced by Mexicans, especially economic stagnation and the staggering violence caused by the drug cartels, to the upcoming Year of Faith and the program of the New Evangelization in Central and South America called for during the papal trip to Brazil in 2007. Catholics comprise more than half of the population of Cuba and 90 percent of the population of Mexico.
The trip to Monaco will be the first by a pope in some 500 years. Pope Clement VII in 1532 was the last pope to travel to Monaco, and Pope Benedict’s sojourn to the principality will reinforce the longstanding relationship between the Holy See and the House of Grimaldi that has ruled Monaco with brief interruptions since 1297.
The pope is expected to make his way to Ukraine for the commemoration of the 600th anniversary of the Archdiocese of Lviv. There are nearly 5 million Catholics in Ukraine, 10 percent of the total population, and the Eastern Catholics there are both proud of their heritage and mindful of the brutal oppression they endured under the Soviet Union, when all of their bishops were killed or imprisoned and their property seized by the government and given to the Orthodox. Religious freedoms were regained slowly in the 1980s, but serious tensions arose with the Orthodox over ownership of property.
There is little enthusiasm for Pope Benedict’s presumptive Ukrainian sojourn as the Orthodox Patriarchate of Moscow sees Ukraine as the canonical territory of the Russian Orthodox Church and has been unhappy with the strong Catholic revival in the country. Pope Benedict and the Orthodox Patriarch of Moscow, Kirill, have enjoyed a longstanding friendship, however, so it remains to be seen if the papal trip impacts the improving relations between Rome and Moscow.
The most notable of papal trips in 2012 is the one that seems unlikely to happen. Until recent months, Pope Benedict was unofficially scheduled to travel to Dublin, Ireland, for the 50th International Eucharistic Congress in June. The Congress presented the pontiff a chance to speak personally to the Irish at a time when the Church in the traditionally staunch Catholic country has suffered an immense loss of credibility over the sex abuse of minors by Catholic clergy and the utter failure on the part of many bishops to deal with the problem. Organizers of the Eucharistic Congress hope that the focus on the Eucharist will be the source of reconciliation and healing, and the presence of the pope might have helped that process.
As it stands, the present Irish government, pandering to public anger and beset with its own enormous debt problems, has refused to invite the pope, and its hypercritical foreign minister Eamon Gilmore has declared that the government has no plans to do so. Last July, Enda Kenny, the Irish Taoiseach, or prime minister, directly attacked the Holy See for its supposed “dysfunctionality and elitism” in the sex abuse crisis. Soon after, the government announced it was closing its embassy to the Holy See for cost-cutting reasons.
In November, Pope Benedict appointed an American, Archbishop-designate Charles Brown, an official of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith as the new papal nuncio, or ambassador, to Ireland.
In October, the pope embarks on a hectic schedule that includes the Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelization, the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, the 20th anniversary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the opening of the Year of Faith.
The four events form a series of interconnected celebrations that represent different facets of Pope Benedict’s wider vision for the Church. An expert at Vatican II, Pope Benedict has taught extensively on the authentic implementation of the council, and the anniversary of the start of the council in 1962 is closely connected to the Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelization that seeks to rebuild Christian culture in those places where secularism and relativism dangerously have seized the initiative. It is also not a coincidence that the Year of Faith begins on the anniversary of the council’s inauguration by Blessed Pope John XXIII.
Adding to the demands on the pope are a likely consistory to create new cardinals and the canonization of new saints, even as Pope Benedict heads into the grueling cycle of Advent. Keep an eye on both of these events as they are probably to be of great interest to Americans.
So there have been rumors of this fora while, but one does wonder why now all of a sudden. According to all news reports, the pronouncement today stunned even the Vatican council.
Too pooped to Pope? I commend him for recognizing that he is not up to the rigors of the position, and, for what little it matters to me, hope his successor has a healing power.
Quick, somebody call an archeologist! He can save this thread and preserve it for future generations and civilizations as an example of how extensive blatant ignorance was in 21st century America. And, it should be noted that the ignorance was most rampant among a group that prided itself on their "tolerance" and "inclusion".
h engbers:
I know enough about his past to know he is not to be trusted. Further, I could care less what happened if he didn’t join the Hitler Youth – “I was just following orders” is not a valid defense (perhaps, brushing up on the Nuremburg Trials will help explain exactly why to you). I’m not quite sure what “facts” you’re referring to but, the fact is, the pope was a member of the Hitler Youth. And, let's not get into the fact that the church stood idly by as millions of Jews, Soviets, gypsies, etc., etc., etc., were murdered during WWII.
And, it’s nice to see you defend his past and complete ignore his present. Guess avoiding his part in the massive pedophile cover-up is just fine with you. It sure shows your character. Well, lack thereof. And yes, I do hate a man – any man or woman for that matter - who knowingly allows thousands of children to be abused for years with absolutely no criminal liability for those doing the abusing and those covering up the abusers. As far as I’m concerned, your opinion of Pope Hitler Youth’s “hardships” is worthless … just like him.
I don't think it matters. Certainly doesn't matter to the kid. Volume takes precedence over percentile when you talk about raping kids.
only the face of the leader changes.extreme conservatives are still in charge.their misson is to protect the church thinking and traditions regardless of what is right.
Carl Heidelberg--- Sinclair Lewis authored that quote. Great, isn't it?
At least this Pope knows when to resign, even at the age of 85; most former Popes kept their position as Head of the Catholic Church until their last days.
He most likely cannot handle all the abuse charges coming from the Bishops, Priests, the scandals within the Catholic Church. He may not want to be a part of a sinking Religion. His resignation will ultimately make the Religion of Catholicism even weaker. He may have stood by more than anyone knows, all the child abusers, and kept it quiet. Or he disagreed making each day a miserable one.
Many Catholics I personally know, have dropped their Religion or sending their children to Catholic Schools.. Staunch Catholics fear that their boys will be harmed in that kind of environment, when Heads are turned the other way re: Sexual Molestation.
This is very upsetting, because my Catholic friends are truly wonderful. The Church is now at a Crossroads of where they are going, including Abortion. The US Government has interfered with their Laws against Abortion. Many Catholic friends approve of the Abortion Issue, and Contraception. The Pope cannot.
Catholicism is on shaky ground for not moving on with the future times to accommodate the Real World as it is today.
AMANDA,
You say the resignation is "completely unexpected" and you didn't see this coming? HELLO ????? He's EIGHTY FIVE YEARS OLD! What planet are YOU from?
wow, how is it everyone is overlooking the obvious?
it isn't coincidental this happens a week after HBO's documentary -
MIA MAXIMA CULPA: SILENCE IN THE HOUSE OF GOD -
is released and shown on HBO,
the story exploring the first known public protest against clerical sex abuse by four courageous deaf men, exposing this pope as the keeper of every priest pedophile case in the world? before becoming pope he was put in charge of compiling and keeping the ONLY master file of cases of pedophile priests around the world. aiding and abetting pedophiles for 30 some odd years may be reason for him to step down now that the general public now knows it. a riveting documentary.
Absolutely brilliant!! gold star! :)
Hello @Act like you have a purpose, I think your right, maybe one more if this one isn't the last one! Like you said, we will see.
Yes, it was unexpected because a sitting Pope has not voluntarily stepped down from the Seat since the Middle Ages. All popes since then have been 'retired' by God Himself.
There was no prior indication that he would do so now--in fact, the Vatican discounted the rumors of his resignation as far back as January of last year (see my last post) and to all accounts, today's pronouncement has taken the rest of the Vatican Council by surprise as well.
Hey Wilsonarden, you must be insane. You are posting and being blocked time and time again. Are you expecting a different result? Maybe tone it down a bit and actually see your post allowed.
Hello folks. WOW! Our First Amendment is now under siege! Many posts are being deleted and censored all over the Newsvine site, why? I read many posts yesterday and many did not cross any negative threshold or were in violation of Newsvine's rules. Expect to see censorship much more from here on out as the presstitutes are only following orders from their corporate and government masters to quell dissent. As you can see our government is desperate as events around the globe are spinning out of control. Many Countries are aligning themselves against the dollar and are asking for their gold back which we don't have.
Folks, pay attention to the news, not the corporate owned news but to Independent outlets:
www.zerohedge.com
www.guardian.co.uk
rt.com
www.jeanhaines.com
kaybee, you did notice that I included muslims, buddhists and jews in my post right? All religions that are defended by the very same people who attack christianity. Get it? Muslims that believe in virgins after death. Jews that believe in rising from the dead eventually and buddhists that believe in reincarnation. You are in fact, guilty of what I am accusing...limiting your citique to just catholicsm.
Boy, oh boy! When I hear of all of the crap that comes out the Vatican, the more I'm glad that I decided to stop attending catechism and decided to take the missionary discussions to become a member of the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints. I think that ANY religion that adheres so strictly to the Nicene creed is just bound to turn into the big ol' blob that it thinks that God is. Really folks, how can the rc(roman catholic or Really Corrupt) church claim to have the keys of Christ's gospel and priesthood authority. Peter could NOT have bequeathed all of the spiritual keys for proclaiming the Gospel of Christ alone. It would have taken a sustaining action from a majority of the Apostles living at that time. Even being the most senior Apostle at the time, he could not have taken that action alone. That was not in accordance with the mind and will of the Saviour of mankind. Due to the fact that Peter could not have allowed the first vicar of Rome to be the successor of prophetic and apostolic authority, that also means that the whole of orthodoxy and protestantism would have lacked those divine powers as well. All of the spiritual and religious reformations could not have brought about the purity of the Primitive Church of Christ either in word or deed. The humble boy Joseph Smith, Jr. sought out to know which of all of the churches at his time(c.1815) contained the gospel of Christ in its purity and simplicity. Through a visitation of BOTH God the Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, Joseph was told that they ALL drew near unto Him by their lips, yet their hearts were far from Him. Joseph, summarily was told that there wasn't any church upon the face of the earth that was the Lord's Kingdom and that the priesthood(authority to act in His name) was not to be found amongst all of the contemporary churches. Through further angelic visitations, Joseph was to be given the metallic plates upon which The Book of Mormon was written in an ancient language. In addition, through the plain and precious truths found in the Book of Mormon, Joseph learned that the ordinance(ritual) of baptism by complete immersion was necessary to enter in the Lord's Church and that he sought about to do exactly that. Through the resurrected John the Baptist, Joseph was ordained through a laying on of hands to act in behalf of the Lord in the Aaronic, or lesser Priesthood. Later, Joseph was ordained by the resurrected Apostles, Peter, James and John to the Melchizedek Priesthood which is the higher Priesthood and is the authority to direct the spiritual affairs of the Kingdom of God. In ancient times, a single Apostle could only ordain other men to offices in the lower priesthood, but it would have taken a majority vote to ordain other men to offices in the higher Melchizedek Priesthood which contains the offices of Apostle, high priest, elder and seventy. According to history, the first vicar of Rome was considered to be a bishop. A bishop is the highest office within the lower Aaronic Priesthood so the complete Apostolic keys of leading the Lord's Church was no longer available to man anymore. Also, in the almost 185 years since the Restoration of The Church of JESUS CHRIST, all of the Apostles and Prophets have stuck it out serving in their assignments until their mortal life was over. There have been a few that have been removed from their positions due to grave sin and apostasy, but when you are given the humble calling that is an Apostle of the Lord, you serve with all of your heart, soul, strength and might until you are called back home. There have been several prophets in our Church that have served faithfully despite years of failing health. They are TRUE examples of the Lord's commandments to the inhabitants of this planet that we call home. They don't chicken out just because they can't get around like they used to. They have too much courage to play cowardice in the fight for the souls of men and women against the real adversity known as Satan. However, in the face of current events, it is apparent that Joe Ratzinger lacks the necessary courage and strength against evil and sin. Maybe the weight of his guilty conscience is leading him to seek other life options. I just hope going back to old 'habits' isn't one of them. So long, Joe! I guess see you on the flip-side or maybe not!
The_Messenger --
Your religion, like most, if not all, others begins with the belief in what one man (Jesus, Mohammed, Joseph Smith) says was revealed to him in some way by "God". Which of the versions to believe is up to each individual.
I recently had to almost physically wrest myself away from someone who was absolutely insistent that belief in Jesus Christ was essential to getting into heaven. This was based on her particular religious belief. When I suggested that she had no way to know whether Hindus, Buddhists, Jews, etc. go on to an afterlife of fulfillment, I thought she was going to call down fire and brimstone on me.
As humans, we do not know what, if anything, happens after death. Religion has always served as a means by which man attempts to make sense of life. It has existed in different forms in different civilizations and different areas of the world. Its beliefs and customs have varied widely, but its purpose and function remain basically the same. Religions adapt to meet the needs of changing conditions of civilization. Each person must find an outlook on life and spirituality that meets his/her needs. Whether or not this involves any organized religion is a personal decision. What is significant is our freedom to make that choice, being neither forced to nor restrained from exercising our right. This also involves respect for the beliefs of others.
Perhaps it's as simple as commerce vs. catechism. Could this former member of the 'Hitler Youth' have cut a deal with HBO, for a new adult-content Summer series:
"Red Shoes Diaries : The Pedophiles Files"
(That would be completely frocked-up!)
Amazing... the 2nd (or 1st) most important person knows that terms are limited, and when to step down... So why are some of our Congressmen so damn ignorant? This is the worst kind of welfare. The kind that cost Billions if not Trillions already.
Bill Donahue is a hateful small-minded man.
Messenger- Historically (and correct me if Im wrong but I'm not...) wasn't Joseph Smith a known drunk who essentially invented a bible that when asked to produce it claimed it was written in ink that only he could see "but trust him- he's giving you the right story"? Wasn't he also (in his drunkeness and frequent abusive moods) known for leaving a string of wives across the US as he eventually wound up in Utah. I can't think of any religion has tried to rewrite its own doctrine more than the Mormons...and you're getting this into Catholics?!?!?! Come on...
Jessica, "your" faith. Exactly who is that directed at? Because I call people out on their bigotry you assume I am a christian???? Your assumption plays with your credibility "my dear".
Is there a rest home for retired Popes or do the have to build one just for him?
Thank God.
Don't worry Catholics, there are plenty of well trained, devoted Pedophiles out there to follow in Benedict's footsteps...
@ Americans for the...
Are you stupid enough to think that the only illegals in America are Mexican?
There are hundreds of thousands of non-Mexican illegals in this country.
Why aren't you going after them? Are the Mexicans just too easy of a target?
The Mexicans are the most productive.
Many, many of them hold jobs that you would consider beneath you.
Isn't it just that you are a bigoted a-hole? Isn't it just that you hate Mexicans? Isn't it just that you are afraid of dark skin?
Wake up, Nazi.
BigJeff
If the people in this world wasn't so greedy and put money into farming instead of Military..There be plenty of Jobs and food to feed the 7 billion 10 times over...
Big Jeff @ #2.3
And here I was wondering if I was the only one that saw the ignorance and folly in Americans' rhetoric! While I don't know that the hispanics are necessarily the most productive, they have, for the most part, certainly proved their hard work ethic and, without them, this country would be suffering far more than it has because, as you pointed out, those "lowly" Mexicans take those jobs that even the average American high schooler does not want. They get a bad rap as migrant workers, etc. but who else is going to go out in those fields in the middle of summer heat and harvest the food for our tables? Not many!
And I'm not certain that your assessment of Americans is all that accurate. I think the hate is just a manifestation of his own unadmitted insecurity. It makes him feel better about himself to be able to put others down. That has developed into a hatred of almost everyone. He has embraced hate and ugliness as a way of life and no longer recognizes the source of that anger. And, sadly, he will never know how many wonderful people he cuts out of his life by being so hateful. Feel sorry for him. He has earned our pity!
And, paragus, your grammatical errors aside, regardless of how much money the government dumped into agriculture, there still are many crops that require physical manpower to bring in and ge4t to your table. And, still, most Americans don't want to do that backbreaking work.
You are EXACTLY correct. Something today's media is not used to being, and it's blue folk.
Americans For The Removal Of Illegals: I was born in Mexico & benefited from an elite liberal education here in the U.S. My mother sends $$ back to relatives in Mexico. And, starting next month, I'm going to start collecting Social Security. What do you think of those apples? Mindless twit.
Guess what? Angry old white guys like you are now in the minority - that's why your hero lost in November. Better start getting used to eating burritos and frijoles.
There you go. Right from Homeland Security. Looks like the Hispanic or Latin origin make up 70% of illegal immigrants to this county.
Also here is my source.
http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/statistics/publications/ois_ill_pe_2011.pdf
What does the pope have to do with immigration?
Am I posting on the wrong article?
Many south Mexican, central American and south American aliens have moved here where I live. they are mostly hard working people with children who want their kids to have a better life. It's very rare to see them committing crimes. The only real calls the police get about them is loud music or when they are fixing cars in the street. Over all this area of the liberal north has a decreasing crime rate.
Gumps, I think if you are here illegally it is very wrong. On the other hand if you went through the right process and you are not breaking the law good for you.
As for what your mother does with her money..if she is here illegally and making money to send back it stinks. If she too is here legally it doesn't matter what she does with her money.
I am not an angry old white man. I have had the privilege of caring for all people from all over the world in hospitals in Texas, California and Virginia. It becomes an issue when Illegals are here using the system. I have cared for many illegals in California that couldn't speak English. I cared for them with dignity and respect. I don't understand how you would think it is ok for someone to break the law and come here to utilize the system. A guy that saved my husband in Iraq was a Mexican citizen and received his citizenship here after serving our country and applying the right way.
I welcome anyone willing to do the right things and live by the law no matter where you are from.
I happen to agree. Mexicans are not the only immigrants to the US. It is unfair, that every other immigrant is forced to learn english first, while spanish people can continue their learning in schools in their native language. If you want to be fair, that's one thing. But the American school system caters far too much for those who speak spanish.
Unhappy1583758--How true! I have a child in high school who has to take a Spanish class in order to go to college, but the funny thing is, there are spanish speaking kids in there who already know the language, and yet, they do not have to learn English. And for those that always want to bring up the Naive American issue about the Europeans being immigrants, the difference is the government did not have to take care of them. They came here and had to work for their food, not food stamps or any government assistance. And, I have both Indian and European ancestors in my family. Come here legally, learn English, get a job, pay your taxes and then you will be welcomed.
Wonder what backwater southern school district that is, 3423. Better districts offer more than Spanish, all students wanting to be admitted to a CA state university have to take 2 years of a foreign language - and then 3 semesters in college. While Spanish is more practical here in the Southwest, Mandarin, Tagalog, German, and French are other options as well. And students wanting to go to college also must take 2 years of English, preferable Honors.
The Pope is being a good Catholic by pulling out before finishing the job:)
How about selecting a Pope that is not on his deathbed. It's time for a younger man with some vitality and strength to clean house and restore some respect for the Church if it's already not too late.
A good start would be to prosecute all pedophiles to the fullest extent of the law, no matter who they might be. Allowing Priests and Nuns to marry might be another good step along with allowing women a stronger voice in the Church. It's no longer the dark ages and there is no reason for the Church to behave as if it were.
he's not the first
right. last happened in 1294
Not the first, but unquestionably the biggest loser in all of Pope history. The Catholic Church is clearly done for - much like the modern Republican party.
Yeah, I remember hearing that in 2008, not in 2010, but yeah in 2008.
See, should have paid the Vatican to pray for your side, like the Republicans did. lol
You're kidding, right? Please tell me you're kidding! The Catholic Church makes Jesus weep! They completely bastardized His teachings. They put what they wanted in the bible and a great deal of the rules and regs are completely made up! A priest once said, "The Catholic Church can make up anything it wants, as long as it doesn't contradict the Bible." That doesn't mean it's based on the Bible, as long as it doesn't CONTRADICT what's in the Bible! Sad, sad, sad...
There are 7 churches under Christ. There will be those found worthy in each. They will all have those who use and corrupt them. Most of the time the people who speak against them are the ones who want to see them fail. The people who back them returning to Christ's ways are the people of God.
Toredown @ 3.2 - "biggest loser in all of 'Pope history'"?
And once again the hate mongers rear their ugly, albeit uninformed, head
Course all those Budists and non-christian beliefs dont count! Religion could be in the eye of the beholder.
Does anybody know who, when and by what authority changed God's Sabbath of Friday sunset to Saturday sunset to today's Sunday midnight to midnight? My Bible reads that God NEVER changes nor does He lie. hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Toredown - no he is not the worst in papal history. He's not good but there are much worse ones.
The Catholic Church is on the demise/done for..? 1 Billion Catholics. 1 in 7 of the world population. Most very Devout.
I wouldn't call him the biggest loser in the history of the papacy, Toredown. One thing the Catholic church has given us is a fascination and highly entertaining history of Popes. Check out Stephen VI. There was a Benedict in the eleventh century that resigned the papacy for a fortune, regained the papacy, then sold it again. This guy was one of the worst. But there are others. Sorry if this makes some people uncomfortable.
John XII was a great example. Alexander VI so many to choose from....
Freddy4life...God's Sabbath changed when Jesus rose from the dead on Sunday morning. The Jewish laws had all been fulfilled on that day and we are no longer forced to live by those laws to be saved.
"The Catholic Church is clearly done for - much like the modern Republican party".
MrsWilbert... Amen.
"After coming into contact with a religious man I always feel I must wash my hands." "And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all of them who sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, and said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves."
Child molesters, a doctrine of hate and judgment, vaults of valuables, a Bank on the property, Is there really any doubt what Jesus would do with the Vatican?Friedrich Neitzsche
Anita and Hal... Pope Pius comes to mind. I guess people suffer from "selective memory" and totally forgot about the second world war. I didn't. signed: A recovered Catholic. "O' Lord are there people hungry, still?" Jackson Browne
The rhetoric against Pope Pius XII comes from a Protestant whom had a hatred towards Catholics. What have the Jews said about his activities during WWII?? Most of them are very positive! Those comments will provide you with a more accurate assessment than those by a hate-filled Protestant.
evolution for everything EXCEPT HUMANS - we were "created as-is"
My belief is that the Vatican wanted to replace him so they can install a Latin American and reset their push for making abortion illegal and have Latinos put a Republican in the White House in 2016.
In reality, human beings evolved and are continuing to evolve.
The survival of the fittest applies to us as well. Neanderthals got left behind, as will some current-day humans. Don't be one of them.
Out! Out !! Demon !!! Take thine advertising and go elsewhere .....
Thomas the Tank and Gin banned, re-reg of multiple accounter TruthSquad1234.
yo - KB - I'm a scientist and devout ATHEIST.
GOOD RIDDANCE TO THE TANK
And the world will never know what corruption this pope hid on his watch. The next pope will do the same -- hide money laundering, pedophile priests, slave laundries and who knows what else under the guise of religion.
And the second and third laughs. I know you willl stay crazy and stay in character.
Please provide your evidence. Thanks.
well... first off we need to remember that RELIGION IS THE OPIUM OF THE MASSES
He is not crook V V
"You won't have Benedict to kick around anymore" Come here Checkers, good boy!
BWAHAHA! You guys are leaving the "young trolls" in the dust!
Whoa. I wonder what political intrigue is going on behind the scenes at the Vatican.
Could be senility or Alzheimer's. The close advisors might have confronted him with situations in which he did not seem to have the same mental capabilities he used to have. He could also want a more orderly transition than the one that follows the sudden death of a pope. Less than 17 days notice is a little sort, but better than nothing. I would have thought he would have given them until March 31st to prepare, about 7 weeks, 49 days.
A senile and incompetent pope is no problem for the Vatican. In fact it gives other church leaders the opportunity to run the place the way they want taking cover behind the pope. No, its not because his advisers think he is not up to the job. They live for those situations. The Vatican is as political as any other govenment.
Actually I think this has been in the making for a while. He hinted at it last year.
ROFL, Anita! Have you read his writings or any of the books he published??? Bet you couldn't get through Chapter #1 of any of his books.
just got to thinking - popes get to give 2 weeks notice??
Good riddance. Never understood the whole "pope" thing, but then again, I've never understood organized religion. Many have been harmed under this idiot, and a lot has been covered up. Sickening.
When is the last time this has happened? Seems in my lifetime it was always "feet first" retirement. Now, if we could only get half of congress to do the right thing.
I was thinking the same thing. I figured that being Pope was like being married to God.... til death do us part
Popes have stepped down before, though it usually is a "till death" type of position. But failing health is one of the "acceptable" reasons to step down.
1294 was the last time.
It was 1415, read the article!
Stonepipe2 which half the Senate or the House??? How about all from top to bottom.
Um, Thomas, where did I say that it happens every day? I merely stated it has happened before and that failing health is one of the "acceptable" reasons that a Pope might step down. That would be as opposed to incredible Papal corruption, which is another reason that Popes have either "stepped down" or been essentially deposed.
Calling me names was uncalled for. I didn't imply that anyone was stupid or deficient in any way. Nor did I make a judgement about an entire religion (that I don't belong to) or make a political analogy. I simply stated a FACT that it has happened before, but that the position of Pope is usually for the rest of the Pope's life.
Thomas - What about cat-1200's post warrants the tone of your reply? Where does she state that popes never resign or that this is not a common occurrence. You aren't exactly the brightest bulb in the box yourself, are you? Ever hear the phrase, "It's better to remain silent and be thought a fool rather than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt"? Get someone to explain it to you, Einstein.
jgt, I read the article both before and after they updated it to confirm my observation. thank you for your specious lecture.
Thomas you need to check your facts the last Pope to step down in this manner was George XII in the 15th century if memory serves me right.
Agree DD. What I really think is the Mussolini treatment, but I don't want my thoughts put on the internet. :)
Cat - don't pay any attention to Thomas - I think it is the gin talking this morning.
The last pope to resign was Gregory XII in 1415
Thomas the Tank and Gin the last time a Pope resigned was Gregory XII in 1415 that was almost 600 years ago genius, Celestine V abdicated his roll in 1294, almost 800 years genius.
One of the big problems with the convention of the Papacy being a lifetime position is that, like the U.S. Supreme Court Justices, it results in persons serving well past the point at which they are able to perform their duties in a capable and responsible manner. This may be due to physical or mental deterioration, or other reasons. Some are unable or unwilling to move forward with the times or simply do not approve of the way society is moving. Some may use a stricter or more lenient interpretation of relevant rules than younger members (for good or bad). And these decisions may have far-reaching effects on the Church or country for decades.
This is an issue which is often discussed both in religious circles and in political ones. There are solutions, of course, but they all require major changes in legal requirements/definitions, in addition to the common desire for change.
Pope Benedict is the 2nd Pope to resign= Pope Gregory in 1409 was the 1st. He'll resign on Feb.28th. Reason for resignation has not been given- but due to his age it could be for health reasons.
Thanks, pretty good track record I would say. I bet you didn't think I was that old.
Pope Benedict XVI is resigning for health reasons (Berliner Morgenpost)- QWithdrawal Regulation governed by Canon Law 332-Paragraph 2 (whenever a Pope wants without asking anyone for permission). Former sources apparently not too familiar with the Popes- Year 235 Pope Pontian banished to work in the mines of Sardinia- resigned. So did the prisoners held on Island of Ponza Silverius 537. Pope John XVII dethronedc in 1009. Gregory XII in 1415 (not 1409) during Council of Constance. The only truly voluntary resignation of Pope Celestine V on Dec.13,1294- he became a hermit monk. Pope Benedict's health -reason for resignation will be made public later.
mimi,
Thanks, better info than nbc, now I have an idea of what is actually going on.
You get a gold star, keep up the good (and polite) work.
READ the article! He said it was due to his advanced age and he wasn't capable anymore.
Yes, thank you. If you READ my post, I said 'mimi' info was better than nbc.
This is called a comparison, after reading two or more different accounts of a story.
again thank you. but no gold star.
Wilbert..
Whats this advanced age stuff...? All other Popes serve till they die of old age..?
Think its cause more pedophile news stuff is about to hit the fan..
Alter boy caught with pants down type of thing...
gordo,
READ the article!
"After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry," the pontiff's statement said.
what sad is that EVEN IF something fishy were going on here, most catholics simply wont question it - wont give much thought to it - wont even want to "go there" in the thought process.
if the pope says he's resigning because of health issues - even though the job description is "until death" which assumes, at some point the pope is going to have "health issues"...then, well thats all there is to it.
who are we to question the almighty god, er i mean pope...right?
It is equally sad, that even if nothing is wrong or fishy here, most Catholics haters simply won't believe that, etc...
Got caught with hands in little boys pants. Then again, he's the pope of the Church of the Touchers, so what do you expect?
have respect not everyone is like that
The butler did it!
Wonder what was in those documents, eh?
As a recovering (ex) Catholic, I approve of his abdication.
All the atheist leftists on here are indignant f*ckers.
How Christian or Catholic, or whatever you are, of you to say that.
MJ,
Catholicism was the first denomination of Christianity, until people started breaking away...hence the term "Protest" ants. Learn some history.
Hate to break it to you vinny but I would be willing to bet money some of the ones throwing the nasty comments are protestants too.
This clown should have resigned long ago. He's old and senile. Not to mention, he helped coverup the pedophilia scandal in the church for years. Of course, this was before he was "chosen" by god...what a joke!
God bless Pope Benedict XVI! He exemplifies courage and humility. He puts the interest of his flock before his.
Really Mike C. from NY? He puts the interest of his flock first, after he covers up for the child molesters he supports, and they fleeced the flock, and hurt the kids.
Only the die hard Catholic's will support him, and they are mostly the males. Most, but not all, females think he and his policies towards women suck, and won't support him or people like him. This last election is proof enough of that.
I vote this the funniest comment (Mike's post, not Sally's).
Almost spit my drink on the keyboard!
I suppose it could be the saddest...maybe Mike was being serious?
no, he put the interest of the church first and assisted in covering up a monumental scandal, this guy, along with hitler, whom he assisted during the war, should be villified as a monster, he is the bogey man under a child's bed.
"his flock"? Gross.
I'm no defender of the Catholic Church, but assisting Hitler? He was a 14 year old boy at the time. Some of you idiots are just plain ridiculous.
Whats wrong with his health...? Besides being old...
He was about to issue an edict: All Catholics are to wear their underwear....... on the outside.
His "handlers" caught him.
Good. I left Catholicism behind years ago but this is good for those who are left. This man is entrenched in archaic thinking and hopefully they'll get someone whose view of the world is intelligent and current. Maybe that way they'll clean up the predators left in the priesthood and begin to treat women like equals.
I'm with you, Liz...I went non-practicing a long time ago. I totally believe in the Catholic teaching, not in the people who execute it...
Um, the Cardinals select the next Pope. I would not hold my breath looking for anyone who who will be anything but archaic.
Well babbina, they did manage to elect John XXIII, who was hardly archaic. There is always hope.
As another who's no longer a practicing Catholic, I'd return to weekly Mass and start giving generously if the leader of the Nuns on the Bus was elected Pope. Those ladies are the truest followers of Jesus among today's Catholics. Of course they're not part of the "good old boys" network, so like every influential group those who hold the power will choose one of their own.
Thomas,
Just read through your previous comments, and conclude that you will be occupying that "wonderfully dark corner in hell". Your words are so contrary to anything Jesus preached that I can't believe you're anything but a "Sunday Christian".
Wow, Thomas- hate women much?
MNPat & Thomas:
Both of you are so full of vitriol it would make and outsider, such as myself, question your beliefs in general. You have both managed to show "Christians" in such a bad light. Thomas, your misogynistic rant speaks for itself. MNPat, your name calling and questioning of another's faith based upon one veiw point is not much better.
As someone who was not raised Christian, I have never understood why there has always been/is so much discourd in the various religions of Christ. The arguements and disagreements are so unChrist-like...
liz/TD- I haven't been attending often lately, mostly due to having two small kids that wear me out. But I have been researching Episcopalian churches lately, especially since nuns started getting harrassed for doing what they're supposed to (helping people) instead of getting into politics. Hope they choose someone for pope that will help the church move forward instead of into the past.
Just a reminder that we can't call ourselves Christians if we get offended to the point of swearing and cursing at others who don't share our beliefs. We shouldn't let negativity and disgusting behaviour drag us down to the point where we exercise the same behaviour.
John XXIII was not typical of papal candidates.
He was an anachronism, elected because all other preferred candidates could not get a majority vote. It was sort of like our congresional gridlock. We get to destroy our country because some lawmakers want to have their way no matter what. So the Cardinals chose to destroy their church.
But John XXIII turned out to be a church builder instead. And a long liver too. Too bad for the Cardinals.
But then they wised up and elected a string of archaic regressors.
So, Island Gypsy, I wised up and stopped calling myself a Christian.
Great way to bury this story MSN... if the head of the Muslim world resigned, it would be a red banner across the top... Anyway, as a Catholic I say good ridance. Modernize, Catholic Church. Take the opportunity to change because your old ways are unsuccessful. If this were a company, falling earnings and "customers" would have bankrupted you long ago.
? They have a red banner across the top and a big picture. Frankly, I think they buried the Grammys story.
There's a red Breaking News banner and a big-ol' front-page panel now, in any case.
If it was discovered that the "Muslim world" had a leader analogous to the pope, that would be a red banner story in itself. I thought the last caliph with authority over all of Islam disappeared more than 1300 years ago? (Shia) or died (Sunni) maybe?
Thomas, I'm pretty sure Jesus mingled with the common people. Were he alive today, you'd be condemning him as a joke for hanging out with women and kids.
Thomas: As a survivor of one of those sick, twisted and disgusting pedophile pervert priests at St Thomas More parish in Durham NH I gotta ask, how the hell can you call your church Holy, your leaders Holy and worthy of heaven, when this sick, twisted and disgusting Head Pedophile Pimp, Pope Benedict XVI covered up for at least two pedophile rapist priests? How can you Parishioners have the guts to call such people as Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Justin Rigali, Bernard Law, Roger Mahoney and many others who failed to live up to their own catechism teaching on RAPE, holy and worthy of adoration and heaven. I guess you are one of those Parishioners Thomas who stands up for the Pedophile Pimps and Priests of the Roman Catholic Church because I sure the hell do not hear you calling for these scums resignations:
2356 Rape is the forcible violation of the sexual intimacy of another person. It does injury to justice and charity. Rape deeply wounds the respect, freedom, and physical and moral integrity to which every person has a right. It causes grave damage that can mark the victim for life. It is always an intrinsically evil act. Graver still is the rape of children committed by parents (incest) or those responsible for the education of the children entrusted to them.
Hear Ye, Hear ye!! IT IS A COMPANY!! It's a company that peddles illusions to the human condition and gets rich in the process. The Church has always been a perverted appendage to leech off the life and works of a very cool guy who came to teach us that God is within us and that we need to begin to act more like the Gods we are in the One Cosmic one.
At least he's resigning. Most are ill for years and years and we keep hearing of how frail they are but they never step down.
I wonder what sort of crooked pervert they'll trot out to replace him...
It will probably be the American Branch Head Pedophile Pimp Cardinal Timothy Dolan. See he felt betrayed when New York passed the same sex marriage law. But he felt even more betrayed the legislature had the balls to try to end the statue of limitations for child sexual abuse went on to say:
Dolan also explained that he wanted to keep the statute of limitations for child sex abuse victims to one-year, because if the church gets sued, "The perpetrators don’t suffer. There’s no burden on them. What suffers are the services and the ministries of the apostolates that we’re doing now. Because where does the money come from? So the bishops of 30 years ago that allegedly may have reassigned abusers, they don’t suffer. They’re dead. So the people that suffer are those who are being served right now by the church. We feel that’s a terribly unjust burden."
can the pope just resign.
Yes and no, Holly. Yes he can resign, under extenduating circumstances...so he may be sick. I don't believe the "too old and sick" part. Last one resigned about 800 years ago.
Considering organized religion of any kind is technically a business, yes, he can.
I saw someone mention the possibility of alzheimer's disease, seem's very plausible to me. It certainly would be a good reason to step down.
I never cared for Benedict. His predecessor's shoes were too big for him. Let's hope the Catholics use a little more wisdom and a whole lot less politics to elect their next leader.
For those of you who are of the anti-religion or anti-Catholic system, that's okay. I'm not of the Christian faith either. However, it's their choice in what they worship, follow and believe. It reflects poorly on all of us when we deny others their choices. Think of it this way, perhaps they can deny yours as well. Whoopsie, how many times have we seen that? Tolerance goes a long way, on both sides.
I think most of us are tolerant of our Catholic neighbors but will never be tolerant of one religion getting into the politics of our "shared" country in the form of religious-based laws. There's a real distinction there.
@zapper
What you say about tolerance is true. However, when the Pope, who has great influence in political circles, not just in the States, but all over, puts women as second class citizens, it's awful hard to have tolerance for an a$$wipe like him.
Nobody that I know is denying anyone of their religion. Most people want freedom FROM RELIGION. In other words, don't push your beliefs on other people. Keep your belief between God, Church and family and there won't be any problems. But we have seen how the Catholic Church works, and how the GOP works when it comes to religion.
Well said, SallyAnn regarding tolerance - most liberals think it doesn't apply to them - they are the most intolerant of us all!
Jannie, if by intolerance you mean that some people don't want others to use their religion to inform laws; yes, liberals are intolerant. If by intolerance you mean that others believe that religion or spirituality is a private thing and should not be force-fed to others, then yes, liberals are intolerant. If by intolerance you mean that some people believe that other religions have just as much validity as Christianity, then yes, liberals are intolerant. If by intolerance you mean that some people believe that their children should be able to go to school and NOT be ostracized because they aren't Christians, then yes, liberal are intolerant.
I have NEVER noticed anything in my Bible where God said I could worship who I wanted, the way mine reads is you obey or die. hmmmmmmmmmmmm, it would seem the CHOICE is obey or die. I love God, He doesn't mess around with a whole bunch of stupid words and to think He even tells us HOW and WHEN to worship Him. Isn't He wonderful?
Most Catholics don't think our church should be involved in politics either.
As YOU said, Freddy--
YOUR Bible. Not mine, not half the rest of the world's either.
Until you begin to question the source of those writings, and the changes made to it over the centuries, you are little more than an ignorant follower.
Freddy -- Wow! your god sounds like a pathetic narcissist; arrogant and insecure.
opium of the masses, folks... opium of the masses...
Here Freddy, have some of this Kool-Aid...
Freddy, you are the exact point of my comment. Your book is your book. I could quote Moby Dick and be just as valid. I'm happy you enjoy your religion, but it's YOUR religion, not mine. I can condemn you from any point, if I were so inclined, but I'm not that kind of judgmental person.
And SallyAnn, please read the first sentence of my statement--Benedict was far too politically leaning for my tastes, and this includes his "politics" towards women.
As for us women, we really need to pull together. We are equals to our gender opposites. We should all be complementary to one another, not just a compliment to the other. (I love homonyms and puns.) We must stand strong TOGETHER to ensure that we are not demeaned because of our gender designation (nor should anyone else). EQUAL. EQUALITY--never secondary or an afterthought. We must demand recognition, whether anyone else likes it or not.
Unfortunately, many religions and cultures have not left the dark ages of subjugating others based on gender. Perhaps the next Pope will be somewhat more enlightened. I'm not holding my breath, but it would be a hurricane of fresh air if he wasn't another old, backward-thinking, close-minded, tunnel-visioned authoritarian. Recently in this country (USA), we've seen this ugly little act crawling out of political closets, and it needs to be put out with the trash. It is a valueless, demeaning, and damning piece of bigotry and bias that needs to go away forever.
The bishop of Rome, successor of St. Peter, chief of the whole Church, and the Vicar of Christ on earth...
"Whatever, I'm too old for this $hit." . . .
Yeh, Vicar of Christ alright!! LOOK UP the word Vicar!
Buh-bye Nazi Pope, don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out.
Goodbye sith pope:
Could be hes going to get married to that little Nun hes been seen running around with...
Either that or the alter boy...?
gordo--You are a bigot. Your mind (?) is in the gutter. You should hang your head in shame, and you would, if you had the sense God have gravel.
so sarcasm is OK for anyone else but not the POPE?
Doximom 3869894 So what would you say to someone like me, who has had to endure a life of living hell thanks to one of the Pedophile Priests spending the night at St Thomas More parish in Durham NH raping my body, my heart, my mind and my soul?
How would YOU like it if you found out one of your children ran away from an abusive foster home only to be put into a church for the night for safekeeping. As soon as the police officer drops you off, the priest takes you into their bedroom saying you have committed a grave sin of breaking one of the Ten Commandments and that in order to save my soul from an eternity in hell I must do exactly what he tells me to do.
First he sucked my penis telling me he must suck the evil out of my body. Next he forced me to suck him off, swallowing his "sacred sacrament" only to vomit it out. Next he raped me anally. He forced me to say the Lords Prayer and Hail Mary all the while he told me over and over again if I told anyone about his "special healing" I would burn in hell for all eternity.
I spent the next 36 years in shame, guilt and horror. I suffer from horrifying nightmares of being gang raped in hell by priests, popes and bishops and the very demons of hell itself, when in the end of the nightmare the priest who raped me, now a demon, comes over, rips off my penis and eats it.
I drunk and drugged myself half to death to stop these horrifying nightmares. I took overdoses of drugs, tried to hang myself, and even stuck a gun to my head and pulled the trigger. Somehow when I chambered the round it actually turned backwards in the chamber and jammed the gun so it would not fire.
I cannot have a relationship because I cannot trust ANYONE.
I hate your God, Jesus Christ and the Parishioners of the Roman Catholic church because instead of standing up for us who were raped and tortured by your perverted priests, you protect and defend your Pope and call him along with Cardinals Timothy Dolan, Justin Rigali, Bernard Law, Roger Mahoney all holy and worthy of heaven and sing praises to them while condemning us who have come forward to reveal the horrors that was done to us. No we must just shut our mouths and stop picking on your poor, poor pedophile pimps and priests and never denigrate or insult these low life scum who raped your own children and then covered it up.
You scum of the Roman Catholic Church of Pedophile Pimps, Priests and Nuns defend and protect these losers over your own children and should be ashamed of yourselves for NOT DEMANDING the immediate resignation of this scum Pope and his gang of Pedophile Pimp Protectors.
For this I condemn all of you to hell. just like you all love condemning others to hell.
How do you resign being pope? Is there a special form you have to get God to sign?
Who knows. It's no wonder why religion is crumbling in this country... It's all BS.
You don't really think God has anything to do with this? It's the Catholic regime we are talking about, it has nothing to do with real worship of God.
He got a special form from his Perverted God a long time ago. He was responsible for at least two pedophile priests and should have had them arrested and thrown into prison when this low life scum was known as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. His God decided he should get away with his perverted crimes against children.