[Villages PL]

I don't know if this was mentioned before but it just occured to me this morning that the fact of the Pope resigning sends a message about the value of a person as they age. By his actions, the Pope is saying the following: "I am no longer of value to the Catholic Church. I haven't done a good enough job and it will only get worse as my health slowly deteriorates. If I stay, I will be standing in the way of a younger Pope who will be better able to lead the church."

The Pope is supposed to be the Pope for life, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, 'til death takes him. You wouldn't resign from your marriage at age 80, 85, or 90 because you're not performing up to expectations, would you?

This is part of the slippery slope of modernism. Does the Pope approve of divorse in marriage because marriage is not as good in old age as it set out to be on the wedding day? Hopefully, he doesn't; but this is the signal he is sending by resigning. Like it or not, he is devaluing old age.

The result of modernism is that instead of seeing the wisdom of old age, it only sees disability and uselessness.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

I don't know if this was mentioned before but it just occured to me this morning that the fact of the Pope resigning sends a message about the value of a person as they age. By his actions, the Pope is saying the following: "I am no longer of value to the Catholic Church. I haven't done a good enough job and it will only get worse as my health slowly deteriorates. If I stay, I will be standing in the way of a younger Pope who will be better able to lead the church."

The Pope is suupposed to be the Pope for life, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, 'til death takes him. You wouldn't resign from your marriage at age 80, 85, or 90 because you're not performing up to expectations, would you?

This is part of the slippery slope of modernism. Does the Pope approve of divorse in marriage because marriage is not as good in old age as it set out to be on the wedding day? Hopefully, he doesn't; but this is the signal he is sending by resigning. Like it or not, he is devaluing old age.

The result of modernism is that instead of seeing the wisdom of old age, we only see disability and uselessness.

Maybe he has been diagnosed with Alzheimers.

I am having difficulty understanding the other conclusions you have made.

[buggyone]

Possibly this Pope is one who truly understands his job. He is supposed to be the leader of all the Catholics and this is no easy job with all the problems and scandals of the Catholic Church worldwide. At 85 years old, this man realizes he cannot handle all the aspects of the position and that the Catholics could better be served by a younger or at least more healthy man.

People (and the Pope is a person) have to understand their own fallibilities and how well they can do a job. I give this Pope a lot of credit for understanding he can better serve his Church by stepping down rather than remain around and just be a figurehead with no comprehension of what he is doing.

[2BNTV]

Onle he knows what the extent of his problems are. He also has to function as the CEO of the church's holdings amongst his many duties.

By retiring, he is opening the way for a more effective leadership of the church. To say that he must die will probably leave the church in the lurch in terms he will be a figurehead and his duties must be accomplished without him.

Although, we are use to a pope dying to elect another pope, who's to say this is not the correct thing to do for himself and the church. I don't think it has to to with wisdom in old age or being devalued. I think it has to do with being an effective leader of the church and his responsibilities.

[gerryann]

I as well am confused by his decision to retire. A lot of my confusion stems from my memories of John Paul II and his health towards the end. He was very weak and sickly, but when advised that he should cancel a specific appearance, he was always present. I remember when he was shot and in the hospital....he reminded me of my grampa...just sitting in a chair reading in the hospital gown. He had the "human" side to him, but also the reverent, Godly side to him. It just seems so strange that "retire" is even a possibility for a Pope.

[Taltarzac725]

I can think of a large number of Popes whom I wished had retired. http://www.crisismagazine.com/2012/l...-the-bad-popes

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Maybe he has been diagnosed with Alzheimers.

I am having difficulty with his decision relating to the other things you proposed..

Maybe he's suffering from depression, it's common in old age and often it's mistaken as dememtia.

[Taltarzac725]

.... this is probably a very good course. I have not listened to it but the dozen or so Teaching Company courses I have listened to or watched are usually very good. Not all of them. Once in a while I get a turkey.

Popes and the Papacy: A History

[Golfingnut]

They should try a young woman to drag them into this century.

[Mack184]

I think he's displaying a great deal of wisdom. Only he & God alone know what he is capable of. If he honestly feels that he cannot give 100% in the position he is in, and his church would suffer because he is no longer able to give 100%, I think people should appreciate his honesty & wisdom in choosing his path. If anything I think his choice shows an inteligent choice after much soul searching.

[pooh]

Why can't he relinquish his position as the Head of the Roman Cartholic Church? Though uncommon, it has happened and some Popes have been deposed.
I applaude his decision to step down if he is not well. He recognizes or realizes his physical and mental limitations, he is not sending a message about his value as an older individual. Positions of power take a toll on one's physical and mental strength. His life is not his to do with as he wishes. Personally, and I have absolutely no proof, I think he is not well and will soon not be with us.

[skyc6]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

I don't know if this was mentioned before but it just occured to me this morning that the fact of the Pope resigning sends a message about the value of a person as they age. By his actions, the Pope is saying the following: "I am no longer of value to the Catholic Church. I haven't done a good enough job and it will only get worse as my health slowly deteriorates. If I stay, I will be standing in the way of a younger Pope who will be better able to lead the church."

The Pope is supposed to be the Pope for life, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, 'til death takes him. You wouldn't resign from your marriage at age 80, 85, or 90 because you're not performing up to expectations, would you?

This is part of the slippery slope of modernism. Does the Pope approve of divorse in marriage because marriage is not as good in old age as it set out to be on the wedding day? Hopefully, he doesn't; but this is the signal he is sending by resigning. Like it or not, he is devaluing old age.

The result of modernism is that instead of seeing the wisdom of old age, it only sees disability and uselessness.

The pope is resigning from his job as pope. He is not resigning from the church. Many married people retire from their jobs or become unable to care for themselves, but they don't leave their marriage. He just can't do the job of running the whole thing, which is pretty much in a mess right now, making it a very difficult job to do.
Frankly, I wish they would let some women get in there because I think that would create a checks and balance system which is much needed. The good ol' boys have mucked it up for far too long.
The world has so much poverty and hurting going on, and the leaders of the Catholic church sit in their palaces with gold plated everything and try to tell people how to live. Seriously?
The Catholic church is the largest land holder in the world, and I don't think they are doing all they could be doing to help those who are suffering. I don't think they are doing what Jesus would have done.
I am a practicing catholic, but do not need a pope in a palace to do it. Sorry--That's my rant and it is over.

[rubicon]

As Clint Eastwood would remind us Ä man has to know his limitations" It has also been expressed as "the wisdom to know when to hang on or when to let go.

I have seen people in all walks of life that should have let go but didn't. Take for example a doctor who won't let go of his patient when in fact a specialist was needed subjecting his patient to potential harm just because this doctor couldn't bring himself to admit that he could do no more. Or athletes or movie stars who just won't retire when their on top and live to regret it

The issue here isn't about the Caholic Church but a man's decision to step down. I prefer to error in favor of this man and not pre-judge and simply say he had the wisdom to know when to let go. Since he is remaining within the church I am certain he will continue to contribute in a positive manner

[skyc6]

Originally Posted by rubicon

As Clint Eastwood would remind us Ä man has to know his limitations" It has also been expressed as "the wisdom to know when to hang on or when to let go.

I have seen people in all walks of life that should have let go but didn't. Take for example a doctor who won't let go of his patient when in fact a specialist was needed subjecting his patient to potential harm just because this doctor couldn't bring himself to admit that he could do no more. Or athletes or movie stars who just won't retire when their on top and live to regret it

The issue here isn't about the Caholic Church but a man's decision to step down. I prefer to error in favor of this man and not pre-judge and simply say he had the wisdom to know when to let go. Since he is remaining within the church I am certain he will continue to contribute in a positive manner

Well Said.

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by skyc6

The pope is resigning from his job as pope. He is not resigning from the church. Many married people retire from their jobs or become unable to care for themselves, but they don't leave their marriage. He just can't do the job of running the whole thing, which is pretty much in a mess right now, making it a very difficult job to do.
Frankly, I wish they would let some women get in there because I think that would create a checks and balance system which is much needed. The good ol' boys have mucked it up for far too long.
The world has so much poverty and hurting going on, and the leaders of the Catholic church sit in their palaces with gold plated everything and try to tell people how to live. Seriously?
The Catholic church is the largest land holder in the world, and I don't think they are doing all they could be doing to help those who are suffering. I don't think they are doing what Jesus would have done.
I am a practicing catholic, but do not need a pope in a palace to do it. Sorry--That's my rant and it is over.

HBO: Mea Maxima Culpa: Interview with Alex Gibney

Yesterday we watched the HBO Documentary "Mea Maxima Culpa" Silence in the House of God.

In a nutshell, investigations led straight to the vatican and straight to Cardinal Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict.

At least ten years ago I read a slew of books, some written by priests who had left their orders or left the seminary because no one listened to them, etc. others by investigative reporters in Boston, Massachusetts re terrible things done to children; I'm sure everyone followed the news at the time. It wasn't just Boston or Ireland or Central America, etc.........it was pervasive.

Ours is a small state and we've had to close churches to pay off the debts to the victims, etc......not to mention we can't even get any priests anymore. Years ago they would send them "away" if they misbehaved.......up to Vermont. We had our share.

Sad for those who were raised in the Catholic faith.