Pope Benedict XVI's abdication

The sudden abdication of Pope Benedict XVI yesterday, to come into effect on 28 February at 7pm GMT, was greeted with sadness by many Catholics around the world. Shock and sadness were predominant themes on the social media. Although the Pope has not died, thank God, our response to the news – and that of the media – quite naturally thinks of the Holy Father's departure in such terms. The Church is, as it were, losing a great and holy leader. The Pope's bold announcement was another great sign of his deeply humble and loving service in the vineyard of the Lord. And that is why we will miss him.

But I have to admit my principal reaction to the news was one of strangely joyful surprise. I suppose this is because it was immediately apparent that Pope Benedict had taken this decision on his own, in full freedom and after prolonged prayer; and therefore he himself considers this the best, and perhaps only, course for the Church to take in light of his increasing frailty. In other words, this was a great act of humility and love for Christ's Church – and that is a reason to rejoice. Besides, we can be happy that the Pope can find peace in his prayerful retirement, which is of course what he had longed for before his election to the See of Peter.

This unprecedented move in the modern era demonstrates yet again how Pope Benedict is radically committed to the common good and the advancement of the Gospel in our world. He knows clearly – at least much better than us – what challenges and burdens the governance of the Church imposes on its earthly leader. Our Pope has never forgotten that his position is one of service to the Lord, and hence of service to the whole Church: he is the 'Servant of the Servants of God'. Like John the Baptiser, Benedict knows when Love calls us to say, 'I must decrease.' (Jn 3:30)

Inevitably, the feverish harvesting of opinions, the inchoate assessments of 'legacy', the bewildering speculation about succession, once begun will not cease over the coming months. Even the jokes have piled in already: the Pope has set the bar very high in giving up something for Lent; and so on. Many of the jokes are in poor taste, alas, just as the media commentary is often negative. So, what should be our Catholic response to this? I think we should recognise that the papal resignation is not a simple act and cannot be interpreted in any simple fashion. Our sadness is lined with joy; our reflection on the past mixed with hopeful anticipation for the future. In praying for the Pope and the Church at this time, let us also remember the many who do not call themselves Catholic and Christian, including those who (for whatever reason) do not see the Church as a bearer of 'good news'. 

Godzdogz would like to wish Pope Benedict a happy and peaceful retirement, with our prayers for him and those who must now meet to elect his successor.

Matthew Jarvis OP

The Empty Chair

The wound is still fresh and the shock of the blow makes the sting all the worse. The sadness that comes with death is something we are all too familiar with, but the ambiguity of the papal resignation leaves us confused. So many of us see Pope Benedict XVI as a spiritual father, whose works from both before and during his pontificate affect us profoundly. How could he leave us this way? Even as we seek to understand his reasons, we are left frustrated and uncertain.

Theologians and those who study the nature of the Church will give us some answers in time. They will discuss how Pope Benedict has placed the office before the man and reaffirmed that the Petrine ministry is not about the personality of the Pontiff. They might consider how the terms of service for others who hold office in the Church—from pastors to bishops to cardinals—often no longer last until death but a retirement age that reflects increasing lifespans. They will debate what this means for how we treat the modern papacy and the almost sacramental character it seems to have for those who hold it. The questions of protocol and rank for former popes will surely need clarification.

For now, though, the prospect of the empty chair is still before us. There is no use pretending that it doesn’t sting, or that the whole idea sits easily with us. Yet for all the angst this decision will bring, we must not lose sight of the profound humility shown by Pope Benedict. Along with his blessed predecessor, Pope Benedict gives a powerful witness to our utter dependence on the grace of Christ. He gives testimony to the confidence we must have that the Holy Spirit is guiding us even through uncharted waters.

It must be a terrible thing to examine one’s conscience as Supreme Pastor of the Church—the spiritual weight is undoubtedly immense. As much as we might be tempted, we can never fairly second-guess this prayerful decision of him who will stand before Christ and render account for the whole of His flock. Even as we struggle to comprehend his decision, we must respect the abiding faith that inspired it. So we must come to terms with the empty chair and endure a time of Lenten sadness that necessarily precedes Easter joy. Let us then grieve for a time, all the while taking comfort that the Holy Spirit is still at work in the Church, and Christ is still drawing the barque of Peter towards heavenly shores.

When the prior of the Dominican House of Studies announced at the end of our conventual Mass Monday morning that the Pope had resigned, he asked us to sing the Salve Regina for the Holy Father. The Salve is how we end most every day as Dominicans, imploring the protection of the Blessed Virgin. No matter what troubles us in our religious life, all the friars preachers—from the novices to the nonagenarians—entrust their worries and cares to her intercession, and ask her to keep us under her mantle and draw us to her Son. And so, at the prior’s word, we fell to our knees, and prayed that Our Lady would turn her eyes to Benedict, our shepherd and teacher, and walk with him on this, his twilight journey.

Henry Stephan, OP