FEBRUARY 17, 2013 F ather V ern S mith St. Mary's Catholic Church

THE HOLY FATHER’S RESIGNATION
Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation has taken the world by surprise.
However, the abdication of a pope is not unprecedented. There have
been six others. Albeit, the last Pope to resign was Gregory XII in 1415.
The pope is now almost 85 years old and Benedict has been obviously laying the
groundwork for his resignation for some time. In an interview with Peter
Sewald, in 2010, Benedict stated, “If a pope clearly realizes he is no longer
physically and spiritually capable of handling the duties of his office, then he
has a right and under some circumstances, also an obligation to resign.”
The Code of Canon Law (1983) allows for this possibility. Canon 336§2 states,
that a pope may resign if he does so “freely and his intention is duly
manifested.” With his public announcement to the world Benedict has fulfilled
this requirement.
At the time of his election, in 2005, Benedict predicted a short papacy, since he
was already 78 years old. He also referred to himself as a “little pope” in
comparison to his predecessor John Paul II, who he called a “great pope.”
Of late, it has become obvious to many Vatican watchers that the Pope’s
energy is declining. For example, he no longer walks down the aisles of St.
Peter’s Basilica. He is wheeled in standing in a wagon like vehicle by aides.
There are also rumors that he has lost control of the unwieldy and often arcane
Vatican bureaucracy; the management, of which, stands as a challenge even to a
younger man.
And finally, rumors have it that, even the Italian bishops are seemingly ignoring
his wishes. This is most especially obvious, in their reluctance to allow their
priests to celebrate the traditional Mass (The Extraordinary Form) which
Benedict himself implemented in a 2007 Motu Proprio, Summorum
Pontificum (a document proclaimed on his own authority as the universal
pastor of the Church).
Pope Benedict, is teaching another lesson. He recognizes that he can no longer
give his best to the Church, he loves. He is willingly stepping down so that
another pope may more effectively lead the Church.
Benedict’s greatest gift to the Church and the world is his humility. His
resignation will set a precedent for future popes. And, his humility will be
spoken of until the end of time.
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