Pope Benedict XVI 'is to resign'

[Fef]

He'll be known as an ex-benedict. Probably.

Ho ho!
I shall fetch your coat for you, help you into it, escort you to the door, hail your taxi for you, hold the door open, and salute as you enter.

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He'll be known as an ex-benedict. Probably.

Ho ho!
I shall fetch your coat for you, help you into it, escort you to the door, hail your taxi for you, hold the door open, and salute as you enter.

 

[Acker79]

This all makes me want to watch Angels & Demons again.

 

[LE19]

He's probably been lined up as the new manager of either Chelsea or Forest!

Wow, has Billy Davies left Forest already?

 

[Fef]

He'll probably start writing his memoirs, become a special ambassador, and then go on the circuit as an after dinner speaker.

 

[KZNSeagull]

My thoughts exactly when I heard about an hour ago. The old chestnut of health reasons has been stated I notice. Its not like the Catholic Church has a history of trying to bury bad news is it?

Perhaps the Vatican has received a hostile takeover bid from Durex?

 

[John Bumlick]

does this mean uncle hiney finally gets his chance?

 

[supaseagull]

I fully expected a "Heil Hitler" after that letter

 

[jimhigham]

First thing I thought when I heard the news was that a newspaper somewhere had a story up its sleeve.

Is it wrong to be so cynical?

 

[tinx]

I can't believe he only has a two week notice period in a job like that. Mine has three months and is no where near as important as his job.

 

[beorhthelm]

Maybe is genuinely is health reasons. Maybe it's a scandal.

Or, maybe it's more political, perhaps he has faced pressure within due to his views and history that wasn't considered an issue when he was elected(?), but has become more of an issue over time.

John Paul was a picture of health before he left wasnt he? as far as i understand this is pretty unprecdented, popes die in office. the role is inherently political and his views arent that controversial within the church (or are they?). this is down to scandal. being charitable he wants to leave because of something he knows and cant be a part of it anymore. more likly, he's up to his neck in it and doesnt want to drag the church down.

(and where are the conspiracy theoriest when you need them?)

 

[GingerBeerMan]

I wonder if we can start a campaign to get an NSC member in as the new pope.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

I wonder if we can start a campaign to get an NSC member in as the new pope.

Self-proclaimed Albion supporter, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, the retired Archbishop of Westminster, is still a cardinal and is presumably eligible for the job.

 

[severnside gull]

Reluctant Pope with insufficient support within the church. 5 years ago he wanted to retire. Perhaps now he will get a period of peace I suspect his rerirement will be brief

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

I heard on the grapevine he's resigning so he can take up a position at English Championship club Brighton and Hove Albion's as the clubs chaplain.

Word is due to the high influx of Catholic players into Brighton's squad in the last few years Chairman Tony Bloom decided to go out and splash some cash to bring in a heaving hitting name in the chaplain business.

 

[Hamilton]

I blame Barber.

 

[Raleigh Chopper]

First thing I thought when I heard the news was that a newspaper somewhere had a story up its sleeve.

Is it wrong to be so cynical?

There is no white smoke without fire.

 

[Hamilton]

Self-proclaimed Albion supporter, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, the retired Archbishop of Westminster, is still a cardinal and is presumably eligible for the job.

North Stand Cardinal! Excellent.

I think it should just be announced now on Twitter. Two weeks hence the chap will be releasing doves and wondering how he got there.

Incidentally, a couple of weeks back didn't Benedict release a dove only to see it attacked by a seagull? It's all adding up!

 

[dragonred]

bet he's got a good lawyer on speed dial - first one to resign in 600 years, rest all resign at the Pearly gates? ummm, if he survived the numerous non PC stuff he's come out with in past, and didn't bat an eyelid when widely criticised for it, got to think something's coming out soon and this is the way the powers that be think best to limit it...bet it breaks when new Pope appointed so as to try and use good news to lessen bad news! Hate to be a cynic but this just instantly don't sound right!

 

[MattBackHome]

Pope Benedict XVI announces his resignation at end of month - Radio Vaticana


Dear Brothers,
I have convoked you to this Consistory, not only for the three canonizations, but also to communicate to you a decision of great importance for the life of the Church.

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. I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering. However, in today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me.

For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is.

Dear Brothers, I thank you most sincerely for all the love and work with which you have supported me in my ministry and I ask pardon for all my defects. And now, let us entrust the Holy Church to the care of Our Supreme Pastor, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and implore his holy Mother Mary, so that she may assist the Cardinal Fathers with her maternal solicitude, in electing a new Supreme Pontiff.

With regard to myself, I wish to also devotedly serve the Holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer.
From the Vatican, 10 February 2013

BENEDICTUS PP XVI

"I have convoked you to this consistory"

There speaks an institution FIRMLY grounded in the 21st Century. What an absolute joke. They couldn't get anymore ridiculous even if they gave the job to Carrot Head.

 

[MattBackHome]

Self-proclaimed Albion supporter, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, the retired Archbishop of Westminster, is still a cardinal and is presumably eligible for the job.

Shame on him too. Shame.