[tpop1]

As a practicing Catholic (…and I’ll keep “practicing” in the unattainable hopes of getting it right some day), I am both sympathetic to victims of abuse by priests and taken aback by the direction this thread has taken.

The discussion of whether or not a Pope can or can’t or should or shouldn’t retire has morphed into a discussion of sexual predator priests who have ruined many young person’s lives.

I know and lament that a massive cover-up was perpetuated by higher-ups in the church and that the protection of those higher-ups like Cardinal Law by the Vatican, was widespread.

I have no way of knowing if the current Pope was involved and if this was the reason for his resignation. I may think so, but really do not know.

I do feel if the Pope feels he cannot continue to serve his flock that he has the obligation to retire and allow someone with the energy and wherewithal to take over.

As the church is a collection of human beings, it, as we all, will be fallible and not always do the right thing. Although my faith in people, including clergy, is shaken at times, my faith in God and his risen son Jesus is never!