For a number of reasons, the surprise abdication of the
papacy by Pope Benedict XVI may be troubling to faithful Catholics. The
following is a brief summary of 5 'most troubling' aspects...
1. Fathers don't resign. This action may been seen by some as
abandonment / quitting / jumping ship (think 'Barque of Peter'). In some
ways, it may even serve to cast a shadow over Pope Benedict's pontificate.
His very name change signifies something lifelong -- Simon becomes Peter and
stays so until death. Unlike other bishops, the Pope changes his name --
like Christ changed Simon's to Peter. This has a special significance. Now
he will keep the name, but not keep the papacy -- the very reason for having
a new name. It just doesn't seem right. Fathers don't resign for poor health
or old age. Even with his difficult position, this action is not necessary
from a purely earthly perspective (assuming for a moment such a thing could
ever be 'necessary'). Clearly his mind is good and he could always have more
help with his day-to-day activities. Many people looked up to Pope John Paul
II for 'hanging in there', despite his having worse health than Benedict has
now. Suffering is a key part of our faith, and the Holy Father's good
example of patient suffering is priceless.
2. More novelty. Men occupying the Chair of Peter have gotten
old all along - for 2,000 years - but they didn't resign the papacy due to
old age or frail health. Throughout history they resigned only under
extraordinary circumstances. With this novelty of a pope resigning for
age/health related reasons, people may no longer see the papacy as a
lifetime 'job'. One huge danger of this is that it may encourage external
pressure on the papacy if a pope is especially disliked by the world -
something that wouldn't be an issue if there was 'no chance' of a pope
resigning. The idea that a pope may 'resign' due to age/health destroys the
sense of certainty regarding a Pope reigning until his death - and like all
novelties, it will have consequences.
3. Lack of the spiritual. Wouldn't it have been so much
better for Pope Benedict to ask God for strength to do the job and the
faithful for prayers for his strength rather than for him to 'examine his
conscience before God' regarding a decision he apparently already wanted to
make? It recalls to mind how Protestants 'pray on it' rather than use the
head God gave them to think with -- as if they have a direct answer line to God.
Instead, if we already know the right thing to do, we should pray for God's
help with carrying that out. In this case, it seems obvious that the 'right
thing to do' for a Pope is to continue on with his duties until God calls
him (i.e. death). That's what's been done for 2,000 years - getting
old/frail is nothing new to mankind. Although it seems certain that the Holy
Father thinks his decision is for the good of the Church, he clearly could
be wrong in this NOT infallible determination. In fact, effects of his
decision to step down may impact the Church in negative ways for centuries,
which brings us to the next point...
4. Possible effects in the future. One of the most concerning
aspects of Benedict's abdication is the effects it may have on the Church in
future. This is MUCH bigger than the resignation of one pope. In fact, the
papacy may never be the same again. Now that a pope has 'resigned' for mere
age/health related reasons, other popes may feel internal or external
pressure to resign. Some may try to force a pope's resignation. It may 'set
a precedent' and future popes may be criticized for not stepping down when
they are older. Also, the decision may affect the choice of a pope - older
men may be avoided. Later there could conceivably be multiple 'emeritus
popes'. Furthermore, now that 'resigning' is a possibility, some popes may
not bravely face the papacy and simply step down when things are 'too
tough'. We can't pretend this decision of Pope Benedict's won't affect the
Church in the future. His decision to unburden himself of the papacy for a
few weeks, months or years risks causing serious harm to the Church. Why
couldn't he have just hung on, with God's help, like the others before him
did, for the good of the Church?
5. 'Lowering' of the papacy. The decision to
resign for health/age related reasons may be seen as 'lowering the papal
office' - as if it was any other type of human institution. Being Pope is
somewhat like being a king and a king should remain the king until his
death, regardless of age or health. The Pope is not a CEO. He is Christ's
representative. Surely God can use even the most frail or weak of
instruments to accomplish His designs.
Faithful Catholics may wish the next pope
would condemn the decision and reinforce the idea that the papacy is for
life. But, sadly, even that wouldn't carry the same weight as abdicating
being something that is 'just never done'. The dam walls have been broken
and may never be repairable.
O Iesu, Fili Dei vivi, miserére nobis! (O
Jesus, Son of the living God, have mercy on us!) [Latin / English]
Related: Vatican View Section
[2/28/13]
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