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German Catholic News Agency KNA via Getty Images file
Joseph Ratzinger gives a theology lecture at the University of Freising in Germany during the summer semester in 1955.
Published at 5:21 p.m. ET: Pope Benedict XVI always said he was first and foremost a teacher and a writer, and in his retirement he intends to pick up where he left off before he was called to church leadership, the Vatican said Monday. But is that a realistic expectation for a man universally known for his restless and questing intellect?
Roman Catholic Church law doesn't extensively account for a pope's abdication — among the hundreds of thousands of words in the Code of Canon Law, there's just one sentence: "If it happens that the Roman Pontiff resigns his office, it is required for validity that the resignation is made freely and properly manifested but not that it is accepted by anyone."
And since that hasn't happened in almost 600 years (or in more than 700 years depending on how you interpret history), there's no precedent for just what role, if any, a living ex-pope plays in the church.
What little is known came in a brief statement Monday from the Vatican, which said that when he leaves the papacy on Feb. 28, Benedict would move to Castel Gandolfo, the pope's summer residence in the Alban Hills a few miles south of Rome. Eventually, he will take up residence in a former cloistered monastery in the Vatican. What he will do there hasn't been clarified, but when he was elected pope in 2005, he said the job had interrupted his plans to retire and spend the rest of his life writing "in peace and quiet."
Beyond its obvious authority, the papacy is unique within the Catholic Church because of its temporal status — it doesn't come with the equivalent of tenure. So the moment he steps aside, Benedict will return to being just Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger, with no special authority or official prerogatives.
"This is all very new territory," said Donald S. Prudlo, a historian at Jacksonville State University in Alabama and scholar of theology and church history at the Notre Dame Graduate School of Christendom College in Front Royal, Va. "No set of guidelines exist for an ex-pope, even including where he should live, what he should be called and what liturgical role he would play."
It's not even certain that Benedict will resume being an active cardinal — that would be up to the new pope. Prudlo told NBC News he thought it was "unlikely," saying he expected Benedict would want almost no public visibility in his declining years.
Even if Benedict, 85, does resume life as Cardinal Ratzinger, he's beyond the cutoff age of 80 to be eligible to vote, meaning he'll be locked out of the room when the College of Cardinals elects his successor as the leader of more than 1.2 billion Roman Catholics around the world.
But that doesn't mean he won't have influence should he choose to exercise it, and that could be tricky for his successor, said John Thavis, Rome bureau chief of Catholic News Service.
"The church has not really had a situation of two popes in many centuries," Thavis told NBC News from Vatican City.
One reason is that the church has historically discouraged papal abdication out of concern about divided loyalties. Benedict's predecessor and mentor, John Paul II, declared that "there cannot be an 'emeritus pope.'"
"It is going to be hard for people to forget that Pope Benedict is still alive and he is still perhaps writing, still perhaps expressing himself," Thavis said. "I think it's going to fall to his successor to find a way to utilize this kind of expertise perhaps in a way that does not create new difficulties for the church."
But George Weigel, a Catholic theologian at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, a nonprofit religious research foundation, said Benedict "understands there is not room in the church for two popes."
"He will be very discreet about even writing new books," Weigel told NBC News.
Prudlo also predicted a smooth transition — perhaps the most orderly in centuries — because Benedict will be there to give the new pope the lay of the land.
"A new pope is often left flummoxed by the ins and outs of the office, usually taking years sometimes to gain a foothold," Prudlo said. "Having a 'senior pope,' for lack of a better word, would prove invaluable to easing into the throne of Peter."
Tracy Connor of NBC News contributed to this report.
Related:
- Pope Benedict XVI, citing deteriorating strength, will step aside Feb. 28
- Who's next? 8 cardinal contenders who could succeed Pope Benedict
Now that Pope Benedict has stepped down, it's unclear who will replace him or even how Pope Benedict will be addressed in the wake of his departure. New York's Cardinal Timothy Dolan is the only American so far being considered to possibly replace Benedict. NBC's Anne Thompson reports.
Leave a Comment:
Depends on if he has a heart or not, anyone with a heart involved in as many abuses and cover-ups would not be able to retire with peace of mind.
He can only retire if he invested wisely :)
Maybe he will join AAR Popes
Walmart greeter?
Sorry, I had a rough day, can't be serious.
I wish the Pope all the best in retirement. Does he get a gold watch?
Where does a retired Pope live? Things have changed in the last 600 years, there are more options for retirement living. Senior living, Assisted Living, Skilled Nursing Facility?
If there was any justice he would be retiring quietly to a 5x10 cell for the rest of his miserable life for his various crimes, but evidently molesting boys is a perk of the Catholic Church so he will retire and write about the morals and ethics that he failed to display.
epistemologist, don't be silly. Benedict himself has never been accused of any wrongdoing at all (just like, I might point out, the other 99.999999999999999999% of Catholic clergy on the planet). Why should he spend the rest of his life in a cell? Should President Obama be thrown in prison because a handful of American soldiers murdered civilians under his watch? Should, say, the CEO of McDonald's be thrown in prison because some of the minimum wage McDonald's fry cooks turned out to be thugs and drug dealers? Should Queen Elizabeth II be put in prison because some British citizen somewhere did something bad? No, of course not. And neither is Benedict personally responsible for the day to day behavior of each of the 1.2 billion people nominally under his authority. No one person can possibly know and monitor the behavior of everyone everywhere.
@Chem, There are documents that prove Benedict knew about their actions and was responsible for moving priests around that molested children.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/sep/13/pope-crimes-humanity-victims-abuse
I don't see how he can retire or live with his conscience after all the pedophile cover-ups. Hopefully his replacement will remove some of the corruption but I won't hold my breath that there will be any worthwhile changes.
He always said he was first and foremost a teacher and a writer, quoting the article, presumably quoting him. I think he's selling himself short by leaving out pedophile enabler, possibly his most impressive achievement. Lots of practice tends to make a person good at whatever they are working at....
Maybe that was his intention.. not to have to be the focus of the shame.
With the retirement fund set up for the pope by the Vatican, he could retire comfortably and buy the Chicago Bears, move them to Elbow Lake, Minnesota, change their name to the Moose and sit on his yacht at San Tropes and watch them lose another season next year. And you thought the clergy took a vow of poverty. LOL
Unfortunately, because of the Lateran Treaty of 1929 that the Vatican made with Mussolini, EVERY citizen of Vatican City has diplomatic immunity inside of Italy. Benedict, the protector of pedophiles, will be safe from justice at his temporary home, Castel Gandolfo, which is officially considered Vatican territory. He will be safe in Italy, but if he steps outside of its borders, he would have NO immunity from arrest. Benedict will never see his beloved Germany again.
riverboys, it's not just the abuses and coverups. It's also the fact he belonged to the Nazi Party. Perhaps that was de rigeur during Hitler's time, but it bothers me greatly. What with the attempted coverups by that group of people, is it any wonder that he participated in coverups of abuse himself. I've always had a problem with this Pope, much as I've had a problem with the Catholic Church.
I took Comparative Religion courses both in High School and College and the Catholic Church, with all its riches and pomp, does less, comparatively, than any other religious orginization for the poor. Mother Teresa aside, that's what Nuns vow to do. Poverty, help the poor and so on. Priests and Monks, don't see any poverty there nor do I see anything but people supposedly ministering to the poor and downtroden.But those are the ones that get molested. And with this Pope's record, I wonder if he shouldn't come up with a confession to the world about his actions during his days as a Priest and farther up.
Yes, jackie, that Nazi Party membership has always bother me, too. I'm not Catholic and do wish them well. I hope the next Pope can bring the Church somewhat into the 21st Century. The "rules" that are dragging them down (limiting women's participation, unmarried Priests, etc.) are man made and no where does Christ make these requirements. The Catholic Church (and all churches) need to be active now even more than in the past in helping society turn to more kinder, gentle, ways.
He belonged to the Nazi Party??? I guess I've been in the F-1 layer of the ionosphere all this time. I've never liked this Pope either. I think he showed poor leadership and bad judgement during the priest sexual abuse scandal. The Catholic Church still has to come clean about that. The inner circle at the Vatican is a chauvinistic, misogynist, secretive, and highly politicized body. The Church was also in cahoots with the Central Americans military dictatorships of the 80s until Archbishop Romero of El Salvador came along. This courageous man denounced the crimes of the government from the pulpit and paid with his life for it. John Paul II chastised him because he was viewed as a "Communist" sympathizer in the Vatican, and we know what John Paul's agenda was. The Catholic hierarchy has never been on the side of the poor. As a former Catholic I do wish the new pope will bring the Church into the 21st century as another reader pointed out. It's about time we get someone from a so-called Third World country. Personally I like Cardinal Turkson from Ghana.
I don't like Benedict and I think his covering up the crimes of pedophile priests was criminal, but he was NOT a member of the Nazi Party. He was conscripted into the "Hitler Youth" which was required by law for all German boys over the age of 14. As I said, I despise him, but there is enough wrong with his actions in themselves without adding false ones. Please check your "facts" Jackieboy.
Yawn, who cares.
Graig Bell if you don't care then why are you here?
With all the speculation of who the next Pope will be ("Will there be an American Pope, an African Pope,". etc...) what I would like to see is a Pope that will, for the first time in the church's history, prosecute priests that have raped, abused, and tortured young men and women around the world. Now THAT would be a significant Pope to select. In the past it has been standard practice for Popes to hide, relocate, protect, and shield raping and abusing priests from the authorities resulting in the Catholic Church becoming arguably the single most corrupt organizatin on the planet today. So if I had the chance to cast a vote for the next Pope I would voice my support for the first MORAL Pope in church history.....now THAT would be a newsworthy selection.
Craig..ditto on the who cares..
Wonder how this impacts Catholics. Their church has already been exposed to the world. But chances are it's going to be ignored by a lot of the dedicated believers. I mean people never stopped believing in the Catholic world for centuries even through undeniable corruption.
I believe in the Catholic Faith and it's teachings and I always will
HE WILL BE MISSED by over a billion Catholics around the world as well as World Leaders . . . as he came in Peace to Spread the love of Jesus Christ to millions without damnation to any . . . for those of mock him now . . . pull the log from your eye before you try pulling the speck from your brothers eye. Yes even John F Kennedy believed in God and the Holy Catholic Church was the vessel which he chose to worship our creator. May you mockers be remembered for your good deeds and love to the multitude as he will certainly be in history.
And oh . . . I am not a practising Catholic.
This isn't about MOCKING anyone. Exposing the truth will 'set you free' and sometimes will put you in the IRON HOUSE. He looked the other way, knowing that many children were molested priests and then relocated those priests, hoping that the Almighty One of Israel would also look the other way. That did not happen.
And, he may be the 'Holy Father' in the eyes of billions of catholics, but not to those of the Children of Israel, WHO KNOW that their HEAVENLY FATHER is their only FATHER.
By the way, it was Yahusha (jesus to the christians) who said, Mat 23:9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
And the pope has the audacity to use the title of HOLY FATHER.
I'm not Catholic, so I really don't care, but I think if the Pope feels he is too old or enfeebled to carry on, he SHOULD be allowed to step down, with honor. It's not the Mob, where the only way out is "Feet First". But, his claim has a Dual nature: On one hand, he cannot continue being Pope, due to age and infirmity....on the other hand, he wants to go back to Teaching. Which is it? Too old to work, or just not willing to be Pope? Can't have it both ways.
Wanna take bets on who the next pope will be???
The one from Africa.
Aww ooh
Photo: Lightning Strikes Vatican After Pope's Resignation
Many are talking about the strike's incredible timing
http://weather.aol.com/2013/02/11/photo-lightning-strikes-the-vatican/
The Catholic "Church" is changing, being an 2000 year old entity, it and it's members must come to grips with a few changes such as this. The Pope wants a person to lead such a bulwark organization with full mental and physical ability's and when this Pope doubts or at least recognizes he is not fully within these ability's should pass the reigns to someone who can. This Pope will live out his days visiting and writing his memoirs. Who can really fault that.
We have to thank Elohim (God) that Yahuwah Elohim does not change.
The Roman Empire MORPHED into the Catholic church, changing her EMPEROR for a POPE, her gods for SAINTS, and creating a NEW RELIGION.
I would say it is probably time to do a makeover so everyone FORGETS exactly who she was.
Sure he can retire quietly if he wants to. Remember press/media/etc, we are the faith that takes "free will" seriously. We can do anything we want to if we put our minds to it. Amen.
What, he's no longer capable of brainwashing, persecuting and condemning the masses? What a shame!
That is one scary Pope! I'm surprised he even got the job in the first place: He looks like the emperor from Star Wars.
I'm not saying there is a conspiracy or anything like that...but this is the first time in over 500 years that a Pope is getting out of the business. Could it be that he knows too much and it weighs on him just a little more than he can take? I don't doubt that a bit. There is a reason that the Church elects older popes, with very few exceptions. Normally they'll die off and keep the normal succession going. I think this one will need extra security around him until he finally gives it up from natural causes. Until then, he'd better keep that document hidden...the one that tells where all the bodies are REALLY buried.
I think there is a lot more to this story. He's leaving for reasons we may never hear about. The Catholic Church is good at keeping secrets. He is nowhere near the holy man that Pope John Paul II was. Pope John Paul II just glowed with holiness. I do believe one day he'll be canonized a saint.
Pope John Paul is already on his way to becoming a Saint. As for Pope Benedict , I really do think he is tired and there is more sickness involved that we don't know about.
I dont get it? Isn't he like a God on Earth to you people? I mean you do actually pray TO him and all that don't you? He can just step down from being devine? Huh, what other rules are going to be made up along the way?
No the Catholics don't pray to the Pope. I never heard of that and I "was" born and raised a Catholic . I left the religion many years ago , but I still remember a lot about it. The Pope was considered the Rock of the Church and in the Catholics eyes he didn't make any errors regarding the teachings/rules of the faith. He was considered more like the Supreme Court .. he had the final word.
NO, we do NOT pray to him!!
Sorry to hear the man who holds so much faith with the faithful has given his two weeks notice as if he's a Dunkin Donuts employee.
I thought the Pontiff was a little more serious about his job.
Must have gotten a better offer, guess something else came up.
Yikes, right before Easter. Oh no, the CEO of the Catholic Business Corp quits.
Nobody likes a "Quitter"
Don't let your panties get into a bunch. If they don't have a new Pope by Easter the Easter Bunny can stand in.
The Easter Bunny is just as credible and without the dress, funny hat and appetite for young boys. Humm, the bunny may be a keeper.
Wait till we find out why he's really quitting. The Catholic faithful will once again be in heavy denial.
Oh well, time to roll another fatty at the Vatican and somebody’s got to exhale.
And the beat goes on.....
yes. both bush's have. clinton is too arrogant, although his wife might want to hide after benghazi. carter has become a jerk in his old age making a fool of himself as often as he can. but the pope i'm sure can do it.
First, as far as pension goes, show me any scriptural proof that Jesus said his disciples would be paid for their labor invested for their love of his ministry? Don't look you won't find it. Its funny how many of Christ's disciples were known for their career or trade, that enabled them to provide for themselves during their preaching activity. They didn't scrounge off the poor and ill treated!
The idea of being paid to preach and teach others about the principles and standards of life expressed by Jesus is revolting. The scriptures say "you received freely so give freely..."
The catholic faith continues its downward spiral of spiritual decay and good oldboy customs, absolutely contrary to the worship identified by Jesus for us in the scriptures.
mr benedick.. will you name all of them whom have molested the inocents.. you know whom they are. after all you are the god of this earth. 600 years took for you to make this move. do not wait 66 more years of this inocents souls to b put on fire just because you can.
In my research for my book this is a list of 200 names I have come up with, taken from church and court documents, news stories and reports, that show the systematic cover up of the rape of children by the leaders of the RCC and their priests. Almost all of the priests listed have in fact been charged and convicted of child sexual assault. The rest have been accused with verifiable and reliable evidence. So far only Bishop Lynn of all the leaders have been convicted, but there is irrefutable proof that the Pope, Cardinals, Bishops and Archbishops named knew what was going on and covered it up to protect the church:
1.Pope Benedict XVI
2.Cardinal Timothy Dolan
3.Cardinal Justin Rigali
4.Cardinal Bernard Law
5.Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua
6.Cardinal Richard Cushing
7.Cardinal Humberto Medeiros
8.Cardinal William J Leveda
9.Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick
10.Cardinal Roger Mahoney
11.Cardinal Angelo Sodano
12.Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone
13.Cardinal Hans Hermann Groër
14.Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor
15.Cardinal Sean Brady
16.Cardinal John Krol
17.Cardinal Desmond Connell
18.Cardinal John Joseph O'Connor
19.Cardinal George Pell
20.Archbishop Romulo G. Valles
21.Archbishop Orlando B. Quevedo
22.Archbishop Ernesto Antolin Salgado
23.Archbishop Juliusz Paetz
24.Archbishop William E Cousins
25.Archbishop Elden Francis Curtiss
26.Archbishop Philip Wilson
27.Bishop Michael Malone
28.Bishop Stanislaw Wielgus
29.Bishop Michael Patrick Driscoll
30.Bishop Tod Brown
31.Bishop William J Lynn
32.Bishop Kurt Krenn
33.Bishop Manuel Moreno
34.Bishop John B McCormack
35.Bishop Robert Finn
36.Bishop Leopoldo C. Jaucian
37.Bishop Martin Jumoad
38.Bishop Rodolfo F. Beltran
39.Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos
40.Bishop Roger Vangheluwe
41.Bishop John Aloysius Ward
42.Bishop Brendan Comiskey
43.Bishop Donal J. Herlihy
44.Bishop John Magee
45.Bishop Séamus Hegarty
46.Bishop Donal Murray
47.Bishop Joseph R. Cistone
48.Bishop Georg Müller
49.Bishop Raymond Lahey
50.Bishop Alphonsus Liguori Penney
51.Bishop Joseph Anthony Ferrario
52.Bishop Lawrence Soens
53.Bishop Thomas J. O'Brien
54.Bishop Gerard Louis Frey
55.Bishop Raymond W. Lessard
56.Bishop Leo Clarke
57.Bishop Roger Mahoney
58.Coadjutor Bishop John J. Myers
59.Priest Michael Charles Glennon
60.Priest Michael Aulsebrook
61.Priest Frank Klep
62.Priest David Rapon
63.Priest Gerald Ridsdale
64.Priest Denis McAlinden
65.Priest Brian Lucas
66.Priest Wayland Brown
67.Priest Oliver O'Grady
68.Priest Arthur O’Brien
69.Priest Edward Avery
70.Priest John McDevitt
71.Priest Paul LeBrun
72.Priest Joseph Briceno
73.Priest Mark Lehman
74.Priest Stephen Kiesle
75.Priest Joseph Bukoski
76.Priest Franc Frantar
77.Priest Thomas Adamson
78.Priest James Hickey
79.Priest Patrick Hughes
80.Priest Denis Daly
81.Priest Eugene Greene
82.Priest Seán Fortune
83.Priest Federico Lombardi
84.Priest Paul McGennis
85.Priest Gilbert Gauthe
86.Priest John Kinsey
87.Priest William Manahan
88.Priest Paul Couch
89.Priest Bernard Green
90.Priest Piers Grant-Ferris
91.Priest John Kinsey
92.Priest Richard White
93.Priest Jeremiah McGrath
94.Priest James Carragher
95.Priest James Robinson
96.Priest Micheál Ledwith
97.Priest Alexander Bede Walsh
98.Priest André Vanderlyn
99.Priest Robert Borremans
100.Priest Joris Horvath
101.Priest Bruno Vos
102.Priest Jef Van den Ouweland
103.Priest Marc Vangheluwe
104.Priest Bart Aben
105.Priest Louis Dupont
106.Priest André Louis
107.Priest Gilbert Hubermont
108.Priest Jean-François Gysels
109.Priest Ivan Čuček
110.Priest Drago Ljubičić
111.Priest František Merta
112.Priest François Lefort
113.Priest Pierre Dufour
114.Priest Henri Lebras
115.Priest Denis Vadeboncoeur
116.Priest Bruno Kieffer
117.Priest Jean Luc Heckner
118.Priest Father Peter Hullermann
119.Priest Fraul Cabonce
120.Priest Christopher Basil "Kit" Cunningham
121.Priest Brenden Smyth
122.Priest Samuel Martinez
123.Priest Stanley Gana
124.Priest Francis Lundy
125.Priest Ciro Benedettini
126.Priest Fredrico Lombardi
127.Priest George Bredemann
128.Priest Michael Hill
129.Priest William Manahan
130.Priest John Lloyd
131.Priest Joseph Jordan
132.Priest Thomas Smolich
133.Priest Charles Leonard Connor
134.Priest Jerold Linder
135.Priest Santiago
136.Priest Shawn Ratigan
137.Priest Paul R Shanley
138.Priest Joseph E. Birmingham
139.Priest Ronald Paquin
140.Priest John Hanlon
141.Priest Paul Mahan
142.Priest Ernest Tourigney
143.Priest Richard Matte
144.Priest James Doyle
145.Priest James Grennan
146.Priest Seán Fortune
147.Priest Daniel McCormack
148.Priest William Goltz
149.Priest Juan Carlos Duran
150.Priest James Porter
151.Priest Edward Paquette
152.Priest William Roach
153.Priest Neil Doherty
154.Priest Anthony Mercieca
155.Priest Lawrence C Murphy
156.Priest Joseph Palanivel Jeyapaul
157.Priest Eleuterio Ramos
158.Priest Albert Davis
159.Priest Siegfried Widera
160.Priest Charles Barnett
161.Priest Vincent Ryan
162.Priest David O'Hearn
163.Priest John Sidney Denham
164.Priest James Fletcher
165.Priest Charles Engelhardt
166.Priest Kelvin Gerald Sharkey
167.Priest Adrian Richard Van Klooster
168.Priest Roger Michael Bellemore
169.Priest Julio Grassi
170.Priest Tarcísio Tadeu Spricigo
171.Priest Marcial Maciel
172.Priest Geraldo da Consolação Machado
173.Priest Felix Barbosa Carreiro
174.Priest José Andrés Aguirre Ovalle
175.Priest Gilbert Gauthe
176.Priest Neville Joseph Creen
177.Priest Peter Lewis Comensoli
178.Diocesan Director of Youth Vincent Kieran Kiss
179.Reverend James "Ron" Gonsalves
180.Marist Brother Ross Murrin
181.Brother Michael Evans
182.Brother Gerard William Dick
183.Brother John William Chute
184.Brother David Christian
185.Brother Robert Charles Best
186.Brother Gregory Ferguson
187.Brother William Stanley Irwin
188.Brother Kevin Francis Phillips
189.Brother Brian Joseph Spillane
190.Msgr. David Cappo
191.Msgr. William Roach
192.Msgr. Dale Fushek
193.Msgr. Michael A. Harris
194.Msgr. Micheál Ledwidth
195.Msgr. Georg Ratzinger
196.Msgr. James Malloy
197.Canon Martin Clancy
198.Padre Wolfgang S
199.Teacher Bernard Shero
200.Layman Daniel Bernardo Beltrán Murguía Ward
This List should be posted on the front page of every Newspaper in the country....let the trials begin!!!
what for catolic devil church if god not exist ?, just for crime.
They could start proceedings to prosecution of obstruction of justice in protecting pediphile preists, archbishops ,cardinals, just cause he was Pope he is not exempt...!! these veil crimes against these children is not going to go away because he is no longer Pope, and should be prosecuted to the full extent of the LAW....!!! Not church head in the sand law.
When he dies will he be given a Pope's burial?
Just wondering.
The Catholics, I think they should have stayed connected with the Orthodox church. Orthodox has preserved the original teachings of Jesus Christ and His Apostles since around 33 A.D. and still to the present which is today (serfes.org).
I know all about the Orthodox and you would never believe what they do. The Catholics are condemmed, the Orthodox keep very big skeletons in thier closets . No one knows! I have atated in other posts, ALL religions have dirty little secrets.
Please forgive the typo's!!