The Pope quits (Updated)
No one expects the pope’s resignation! His chief weapon was surprise.
First time in 600 years that has happened. We didn’t know they were allowed to do that.
The relics of Celestine V after the church roof fell in an earthquake
As news reports have pointed out, the first pontiff to abdicate was Celestine V in 1294. (They’ve also noted that Benedict visited Celestine’s tomb twice.) He was succeeded by Boniface VIII. Boniface then had him imprisoned, which was rather rude. Dante Alighieri loathed Boniface and hated Celestine for paving the way for his papacy. So Celestine got a cameo in the Inferno, where Dante consigned all his political enemies:
When some among them I had recognised,
I looked, and I beheld the shade of him
Who made through cowardice the great refusal.
(Inferno Canto III)
Vatican history is fascinating, with its schisms, scandals and Crusades, Borgia and Medici, its apocryphal Pope Joan, Inquisition, its political dealings, its financial holdings, its beyond-spectacular art collection. Interesting how this pope is abdicating for medical reasons when his predecessor died in office after a long illness. We kind of like (can’t bring ourselves to like outright) how he acknowledged the need for “strength of mind”—making thinking as important as suffering. Under the circumstances, that’s almost liberal.
* * * * *
Two friends begin their illustrious careers at the same time, their paths diverge, one turns into Vader and the other tries to overthrow him.
Star Wars, or Joseph Ratzinger and Hans Küng?
Catholic theologian preaches revolution to end church’s authoritarian rule
Answers to questions you might be asking, unless you wandered onto this site purely by accident >>>
February 12th, 2013 at 01:46
Medieval era, especially in Vatican, was full of intrigues and ambitious personalities, including some of the popes around.
February 12th, 2013 at 01:57
In fairness to Celestine, he didn’t want the Papacy in the first place. After five months of being pope, he resigned because he wanted to return to monastery (and couldn’t handle the intrigues and political maneuverings anymore). However, the new Boniface put him in prison/confinement instead (some say he murdered the poor former pope/monk).
February 12th, 2013 at 18:21
my mother and i was having dinner when i saw on the news that pope benedict xvi was quitting his position. initially, i was shocked and immediately i recalled the difficulties that he faced through hi reign (scandals and all..could that be the reason?) my mother who is a hard core catholic was surprised and said to “bakit anak, anong nangyayari, paano na tayo” (what? mom.. relax.)
later when the newscasters explained it that the reason for his decision was because of old age. i was comforted.
there are certain things in the catholic church that i dont agree with but at the end of the day. i still/will subscribe to it.
i hope that the vatican will find a replacement soon. someone tougher, more liberal. the old theories (in my opinion) aren’t applicable anymore in times like these.
February 12th, 2013 at 23:13
Jessica, are you honestly able to take this abdication at face value? A tip of crimson papal hat to “strength of mind” ? That’s yet the fakest thing to come out of this pontiff’s lips!
February 12th, 2013 at 23:56
Supposedly Benedict XVI made up his mind to abdicate as early as late last year — he is said to have disclosed his plan to his older brother, the Reverend Father Georg Ratzinger (the 89-year old retired choirmaster of Regensburg Cathedral) as well as to Archbishop Rowan Williams (the retired primate of the Church of England).
February 12th, 2013 at 23:59
hyperactivegayboy: No, clearly he’s quitting before anyone notices that he’s been around for a long, long time. Like centuries.
But we do like the “strength of mind” phrase as a veiled criticism of the way popes cling to power long after their minds are gone. He’s practically admitting they’re not infallible.
February 13th, 2013 at 00:18
Akyat-Bahay Gangster: Our favorite term for head of a church: Primate. The underlings could be Simian, Prosimian, and below them Tarsier, Lemur, Sifaka…
February 13th, 2013 at 01:32
If the Pope could resign or abdicate his position, what about the rest of us?Hmmmmmnnnnn… There are far more important things than rank or position… Hmmmmmmmnnnnn… I will take this as a portent of things to come in my own little world. Hahaha!
If people would ask me “Why did you do that?”
I would say “It was a sign from God. The pope has the power to bind on earth and in heaven. It was divine will”.
February 13th, 2013 at 10:47
“Akyat-Bahay Gangster: Our favorite term for head of a church: Primate. The underlings could be Simian, Prosimian, and below them Tarsier, Lemur, Sifaka…”
Yes, Sifaka has a certain sound to it, almost mystical. I like it.
This should replace “rector.”
I don’t like rector. It sounds too much like “rectum,” which, if you think about it…well, don’t.
February 13th, 2013 at 13:20
PLUS it acknowledges the evolution of man.
February 13th, 2013 at 13:24
the chronicler of boredom: We’ve been reading about the Ottoman Empire. The Padishah Emperor! Now we know what inspired House Corrino in Dune.
February 13th, 2013 at 15:36
More trivia. The term Primate is also used in the Roman Catholic Church — to refer to the highest-ranking clergyman in a country.
Thus, the Cardinal-Archbishop of Manila is the Philippine Primate. At least he was in Jaime Cardinal Sin’s time.
Now that Cardinal Tagle is in that position, I guess he’s the primate. Unless age is a factor, in which case Ricardo Cardinal Vidal (born 1931) or Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales (born 1932) might be the primate. But they’re both retired, so maybe not.
February 13th, 2013 at 20:00
Clearly Emperor Popeatine has finished his third fully armed and operational battle station, and has gone for a test drive. His reign here on Earth was merely a timewasting diversion while they installed Tauntaun leather seating.
February 13th, 2013 at 20:40
Ejia: Two friends begin their illustrious careers at the same time, their paths diverge, one turns into Vader and the other tries to overthrow him.
Star Wars, or Joseph Ratzinger and Hans Küng?
Catholic theologian preaches revolution to end church’s authoritarian rule
February 14th, 2013 at 07:16
I never liked Ratzinger aka Benedict the 543rd aka Emperor Palpatine. There’s just something discomforting about his entire visage. And of course, there’s all the child abuse he’s covered up.
Now, John Paul II. I’m not Catholic, but him I liked. Sure he clung onto power to the very last day of his life, but there was something very charismatic about him that Ratzinger doesn’t have. I think he was a more savvy pope, and I think that’s what made him a world leader that Ratzinger could never be.
Now, whether the pope should be a world leader is another matter entirely. But reality check, whether we like it or not: much like the President of the USA, the papacy is a powerful global position, and whoever gets elected will have influence in the course of humanity.
February 14th, 2013 at 07:24
According to the Malachy prophecy the next pope, Petrus Romanus (Peter the Roman) will be the last pope, signifying the beginning of the great tribulation.
Some are also saying that this is written in Revelation 17:9-11:
“This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits.
They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for a little while.
The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction.”
Supposedly, Benedict XVI is the one who “must remain for a little while”.
February 14th, 2013 at 20:35
Hmmm, could the airing of “Mea Maxima Culpa” on HBO last week be of any connection?
Forgot to buy PDI with the photo of St. Peter’s Basilica being struck by lightning.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2013/feb/12/lightning-vatican-peter-basilica-video
February 15th, 2013 at 17:03
update on pope’s resignation:
Pope accused of crimes against humanity
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/the-pope/8760103/Pope-accused-of-crimes-against-humanity.html
and:
Pope Allegedly Sought Immunity For Abuse Crimes Just Before Resigning
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/02/14/pope-allegedly-sought-immunity-for-abuse-crimes-just-before-resigning/
Grain of salt, people–especially on the second one.