Pope Benedict XVI to resign

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_VATICAN_POPE_TEXT?SITE=AP&SEC…

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

http://www.wnd.com/2013/02/a-godly-man-in-an-ungodly-age/

I grew up Catholic and became a born again Christian in my mid 20’s, so I have friends and relatives on both sides of the argument. If there is such as thing as a Catholic Fundamentalist, my mother is it. She claims “the chair of St. Peter is empty” because of Vatican II and changes in the Mass. For starters, in my denom there are a number of senior pastors, or whatever they call themselves these days, who “don’t have it” any more and should resign. Holding onto the political power of the pastorate, eldership or deaconate until you pry it from their cold, dead hands is not servant leadership. Benedict is setting a good example here. You know, maybe he could serve the RCC better by taking his name back, serving as a key advisor when asked, write one last paper (sorry, “God is Love” was almost unreadable), and praying until his health gives out.

[jimfrank] You know, maybe he could serve the RCC better by taking his name back, serving as a key advisor when asked, write one last paper (sorry, “God is Love” was almost unreadable), and praying until his health gives out.

“Huh? What good does a pagan praying to a false god do for anyone?”

Interesting assertion.

Reminds me of a guy who was reading Tim LaHaye’s Left Behind novel (the first one of the series), and this guy had no trouble accepting LaHaye’s description of the Rapture and the world’s reaction to it - but - when LaHaye, via the novel, stated that the Pope had been Raptured, that was just too much for him.

Put the book down and never read another word of it.

[Easton]

Reminds me of a guy who was reading Tim LaHaye’s Left Behind novel (the first one of the series), and this guy had no trouble accepting LaHaye’s description of the Rapture and the world’s reaction to it - but - when LaHaye, via the novel, stated that the Pope had been Raptured, that was just too much for him.

Put the book down and never read another word of it.

Merriam-Webster definition:

1. heathen; especially : a follower of a polytheistic religion (as in ancient Rome)
2. one who has little or no religion and who delights in sensual pleasures and material goods : an irreligious or hedonistic person

By this definition, the Pope would not qualify.

“A lot of Catholics were confused, because while many remained, some had disappeared — including the new pope, who had been installed just a few months before the vanishings. He had stirred up controversy in the church with a new doctrine that seemed to coincide more with the ‘heresy’ of Martin Luther than with the historic orthodoxy they were used to.” ~ Left Behind: Tribulation Force (that’s the second book - sorry), p. 53

The way LaHaye (or Jenkins) words this it sounds as though the Pope was “raptured” - but - not because he was The Pope. It was due to the fact that this fictional Pope embraced Martin Luther’s teachings…

So - the Pope was raptured in spite of being Catholic - not because he was Catholic.

That’s pretty slick.

[Jim]

Merriam-Webster definition:

1. heathen; especially : a follower of a polytheistic religion (as in ancient Rome)
2. one who has little or no religion and who delights in sensual pleasures and material goods : an irreligious or hedonistic person

By this definition, the Pope would not qualify.

noun
1. an unconverted individual of a people that do not acknowledge the God of the Bible; a person who is neither a Jew, Christian, nor Muslim; pagan.
2. an irreligious, uncultured, or uncivilized person.

Ok, it’s a stretch, but I think the point is clear.