All within the will of God, and most definitely above the pay grade of the Anointed One, Blessings and Peace be upon him, everything is above his pay grade and skill set.

I read earlier today that JP II was criticized for hanging on, but he showed us the humility of suffering. Benedict shows of a different sort of humility.

And this a surprise no one, that not all will demonstrate humility:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2013/02/pope-benedict-cardinal-mahony.html

Cardinal Mahony plans to vote.

Should Benedict have stuck it out? John Paul II did.

Which was also a good decision. However, Pope Benedict is now a year older than John Paul II the skier was when he died. I am frankly surprised that he survived such a heavy burden this long.

The Pius XII Defamation Society has been hard at work ever since he was elected, and now the volume has been turned up all day. Who knew that Piers Morgan claimed to be Catholic?

Timothy Cardinal Dolan for Pope!

Oh no…if he’s going to be an American-go Cardinal Burke!

While this is all certainly unprecedented, I think it makes some sense. I would guess that Pope Benedict knows he has alzheimers or some other mentally degenerative disease that might leave him mentally incapable of ruling as Pope yet might also leave him alive for any number of years. Stepping down now will allow the transfer of power to happen peacefully and with some modicum of order. It would also disallow a sort of palace intrigue shadow regime from getting to run the Church in his name, like what supposedly happened at the end of Pope Leo XIII’s reign.

Liberals will be saying all sorts of completely asinine things over the next couple months about who the new “liberal” pope will be that they’ve been awaiting like a Micronesian Cargo Cult since the days of “Good Pope John (Frum)”.

I am sad, but he has been in such pain for the last year, a man obviously in need of joint replacements. His brain seems fine, I hope that he is not slipping into dementia but is instead exhausted and needs to rest, to have what he wanted all along, his piano, his books, his brother, his cats, his beer and his orange Fanta.

God bless his fluffy white head!

I see it your way, Chris. He doesn’t want, as dominic1955 says, a “shadow regime” running things without his supervision when a more vigorous man in the papacy could actually be in charge.

Yes, he always wanted to retire home to Germany with his brother, and his sister would keep the house for all of them, and he’d have a couple of cats, and do some writing… it didn’t turn out like that, though.

He also wanted to be in your profession, Christopher, but John Paul II wouldn’t let him retire: “In 1997, when he turned 70, Ratzinger asked Pope John Paul II for permission to leave the Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith and to become an archivist in the Vatican Secret Archives and a librarian in the Vatican Library, but the pope refused such permission.”

God bless and keep him!

Remember that BXVI was quite involved in the last several years of JPII and saw the degree to which various subordinates had the opportunity to act with less than optimal supervision. He also has had to deal recently with some disappointing behaviors on the part of those subordinates who cooperated in the Vatileaks episode. Fr. George David Byers has said several times recently that there is something of signal importance currently on Benedict’s desk. Add those three things up and it makes sense that his holiness now steps aside, whether after publicly addressing that particular dossier, leaving suggestions for his successor regarding it or leaving that issue at his successor’s absolute discretion.

Cats at last! (I read some time ago that he can not have cats at the Vatican for some reason.) Loved the anecdotes about how someone in I think Australia loaned some cats to the residence he occupied while visiting there, and how he would talk to the strays around in Rome. And now he can have cats. I think all of us who also love cats are rejoicing on this count. They are indeed so charming and beautiful. No one deserves the comfort more!

Bl John Paul II suffered, and that suffering was a powerful witness to a culture that valued pleasure above all else.

His decline was also during a time that was a little bit safer and more secure than how things are today. Who would have thought in 2005 that the world banking system would blow up, Iran would nearly have the bomb, North Korea would have ICBM’s, that marriage would be redefined, angry atheists arguing for the incarceration of Christians, or that previously stable governments would start antagonizing and harassing the Catholic Church, etc? In 2004/5 the Iraqi war was dragging on, that was it. Today Afghanistan drags on, only news because of who is in office. Who wouldn’t rather live back then?

Besides that, with Bl JP II’s suffering in recent memory, a repeat would not mean as much. But giving up power, to retreat to a monastery, how absolutely anti-post modern. Goes against the “narrative” that it is all about power. Power to work oneself to physical collapse then go to a monastery for one’s remaining years?

I am with you Dominic. Cdl Burke. But as we both know this is way beyond our pay grades.

Will Kate take the hint?

Best comment today, quoted by Dr. Seitz, at T19: “The Pope is setting a really high bar for giving up something for Lent.”

Do wish we had a Like button. I’d press it a lot for Katherine’s last comment. Good for Dr. Seitz!

Pope Benedict has been a port in the storm for the orthodox of all denominations. He is the proof set you pull out to check the accuracy of the working gauge blocks.

, Piers Morgan and, perhaps, Big Bird.According to some Info Babe named Erin Burnett on ABC, this is a great opportunity for the Roman Church to move into the modern world. Of course, it will require a new Pope who will allow swarms of priestesses, bless homosexual “marriage” and admit that abortion is a woman’s right to choose.

I can see several papal candidates who might fit this job description – Charlie Sheen, Nancy Pelosi

Obama? Thought about it, but the hours on the job would kill him and he would have to work on Christmas and Easter and not get paid for fasting during Ramadan.

On a serious note – Benedict XVI’s greatest work, in my opinion, was freeing the Traditional Mass and publicly stating that it had never been suppressed.

The Washington Compost Heap seems none too pleased with Pope Benedict’s tenure in this editorial:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/benedict-xvi-leaves-the-papacy-much-as-he-found-it/2013/02/11/628719be-7477-11e2-aa12-e6cf1d31106b_story.html

I was received into the Church last Easter (leaving from Anglicanism), so this is the first time I’ve gone through something like this as a Catholic. I am frankly amazed how much this hit me emotionally. I don’t think I realized how much I love this man until today. I’ve been reading his work over the past few years, and continue to be astounded at his intellect and culture. He knows so much, and he realizes the stakes of the modern world, especially the West, better than probably anyone. But you couldn’t tell me until today how much this would affect me emotionally.

God bless him. Everything he does is for the Church.

I used that line at dinner tonight and got a big laugh, Katherine.

Matthew,

I understand. I cried when JP II died. Then again when we got B16. And I’m not one to cry.

But you couldn’t tell me until today how much this would affect me emotionally.

Since he came to visit my university nearly thirty years ago, and since he was the teacher of an acquaintance, Father Fessio, I feel as though today my last European professor retired … and I just realized that I had not been taking any notes.

What feels the worst, though, is the calumny and ignorance marking the occasion. I guess that I have to accept that it must bother him a lot less than it bothers me.

The New York Times is predicting that the next pope will be another Catholic. I think they’re going way out on a limb – that would make like 266 in a row, what are the odds?

Mark,

Probably a smart bet to go even money on that.
I would surely hate to see Kate ascend.

No one other than the Pope himself can make this kind of a decision; it is he alone that understands both the demands of the office and his own abilities. I applaud Benedict for having the courage to say that he is unable to continue shouldering the burden of Peter’s Keys; his recognition that the office is more important than the man filling it shows the kind of humility and charity that all clergy should aspire towards.

If you want a laugh, read Obama’s official “reaction” to the announcement:

http://abcnews.go.com/International/pope-benedict-xvi-resigns-president-obama-italian-prime/story?id=18465356

His usage of “I” is remarkable.

My vote is for Cardinal Antonio Cañizares.

Couldn’t I just buy a friend one of the pope’s books and print an article from KJS? I’d really hate to put any money into her pocket or anything she espouses. It would be the same as buying one of Spong’s books.

“Timothy Cardinal Dolan for Pope!”

“Oh no… if he’s going to be an American-go Cardinal Burke!”

Both of whom, by the way, have connections to St. Louis (Dolan grew up in Ballwin and Burke was STL Archbishop from 2003 to 2008)

I follow a(n orthodox) Catholic lay movement called Communion and Liberation. Our leader had this to say:

PRESS RELEASE

Following Benedict XVI’s announcement of his renunciation of the Petrine ministry, Fr. Julián Carrón, President of the Fraternity of Communion and Liberation, issued this statement:

“With this gesture, as imposing as it is unexpected, the Pope witnesses to us such a fullness in the relationship with Christ that he surprises us with an unprecedented act of freedom that puts the good of the Church before all else. Thus he shows everyone that he is completely entrusted to the mysterious design of an Other.

Who would not want a freedom like this?

The Pope’s gesture is a powerful reminder to renounce every human security, trusting exclusively in the strength of the Holy Spirit. It’s as if Benedict XVI said to us, in St. Paul’s words, ‘I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus’ (Phil 1:6).
Through the Pope’s announcement, the Lord asks us to pierce through all appearances, going back through all of the human enthusiasm with which we greeted Benedict XVI’s election and with which we have followed him in these eight years, grateful for every word of his.

We, too, desire to live the same experience of identification with Christ that dictated this historic act for the life of the Church and of the world to the Pope; and so, it is with freedom and full of wonder that we receive this extreme gesture of paternity, carried out for love of his children, entrusting his person to Our Lady so that he may continue to be our father, giving his life for the work of an Other, that is, for the edification of God’s Church.

With all of our brothers and sisters, together with Benedict XVI, we ask the Spirit of Christ to assist the Church in the choice of a father who can guide her in a historic moment that is so delicate and decisive.”

CL Press Office

Milan, February 11, 2013

More of that crazy, irresponsible press speculation, Mark?

Fuinseoig, I caught the Fox News broadcast at six last night. They had, unlike some other networks, actual Catholics commenting on this, a bishop and then a panel of lay Catholics. One of them was a man from the EWTN network. I remarked to my husband that the man had a perfectly lovely Irish accent. My husband replied that his friend Keiran (from Waterford) says the Irish don’t have an accent; everyone else does. So I have to modify that to “lovely Irish diction.”

… and steps aside because the ministry is far more important than he is.

Spot on, CJ.

May God bless and keep him in whatever he does. I think it is a mark of supreme humility and grace for a man to recognize when he is not up to the task. Jesus requires our all, but he does not demand that we totally ruin our lives in his service.

Katherine, beware of us Waterford people – as you can see, we get everywhere!

Even the Sassenagh (at least the ones with good ears) admit that the Irish speak English more beautifully than any other people.

Ah, friend Kieran is still in Waterford. And yes, Ed, the speech I heard was lyrical. As I said, lovely.

Timothy Cardinal Dolan for Pope!

Heaven forbid Tim “This isn’t about contraception” Dolan gets it.

But it’s not going to be an American. Not by a long shot. Maybe a non-Westerner. If so, I’d pull for Cardinal Ranjith.

I saw on the ABC crawler this morning that there’s an official statement about there not being any specific illness of His Holiness that brought this on…but, somewhere (sorry, can’t remember the reference) I’ve heard that three months ago he had his pacemaker replaced. That explains the earlier time for Midnight Mass at Christmas. The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew, has issued a statement:

http://www.goarch.org/news/epbartholomew-benedict-02112013

I hope the Pope finally gets to have a cat. He has been much maligned by the post-modern world…a fate he didn’t deserve. I’m sorry to see him go, but if he needs a rest, so be it.

As an Orthodox I admire the man. Listen to his Nativity sermon. Could be read in any Orthodox parish in the world. Scholarly, literate, in a world of lip-synching fake personalities he’s a rare bird. He has more marbles at 85 than any 50 Anglican prelates and 90% of their clergy combined. Compare the above with Rowan Williams trying to order a soft boiled egg. If only his successor won’t continue the idea of being Bishop of Earth. Many years to this man!

Wow, Michal. The Ecumenical Patriarch is an “All-Holiness,” while the Pope is merely “His Holiness?”

I sense … competition.

“Katherine, beware of us Waterford people – as you can see, we get everywhere!” I concur! Although, in my case, the road is some 4 centuries long!

I do so hope that he can have a few years of peaceful retirement in which to enjoy those cats.

These two sentences from an essay at American Spectator Online by George Neumayr stick with me; I think Mr. Neumayr has come as close as anyone else to capturing B16′s impact: “He represented the unity of reason and faith at a moment when the world was fast losing both. Between the West’s culture of abortion and the East’s culture of jihad, he stood as the civilizational center for life.”

It seems he will be retiring to a monastery.

Just read the news about his pacemaker; obviously his physical health has not been good. But a life of prayer and contemplation is not a soft option spiritually, either! May God send us a good and holy successor when he does leave us at the end of the month.

The really two amusing things going on right now are: (1.) The blowhards in the government-controlled media in this country are acting as though they know something about the Roman Church, or any other Christian Church for that matter, and, (2.) they assume that the 90% or so of Roman Catholics in the world who are not Americans really care what they think.

Cardinal Provolone to Cardinal Ogabo of Nigeria: “Diane Sawyer and Soledad O’Brien say we need a Pope who will bless homo weddings, give an OK on abortions and ordain women priests. Guess we gotta go with that.”

The other amusing thing is that the liberals think that abortion, homo sex and women priests are “issues” in the sense that the use of drones is an “issue” in American politics. But they are not. There is no debate on these things. They were settled centuries ago by the Roman Church and the Orthodox Church.

“Hey, guys, the Catechism says that abortion is evil, homo sex is intrinsically disordered and women priest are impossible, but what the hey? It’s the 21st century, not the 11th.”

My prediction? The next Pope will be a Roman Catholic. Sorry, government-run media.

“My prediction? The next Pope will be a Roman Catholic.”

Many years ago, when John Paul II was elected, a radio news announcer excitedly proclaimed him the “first non-Catholic Pope” in more than 400 years (he meant to say “first non-ITALIAN Pope”).

Episcopagans begin speculating how the coming new pope will drive thousands and thousands of practicing Roman Catholics to the Episcopagan sect in 3…2….1…

Well, Anne B., no less a web page than:

http://www.ewtn.com/jp2/papal3/titles.htm

lists His Holiness The Pope as the first title. Just trying to say the correct thing. Given the lovely statement issued by Bartholomew, I don’t think competition is in the air…

And the crazies are out of the starting gates already: apparently, it’s a sure thing that the next pope will be Cardinal Peter Turkson.

Why? Because of the prophecy of St. Malachy about Petrus Romanus being the last pope!

Still however the blowhard jackals emerge in the MSM who proclaim loudly and wildly that “Benedict has been a total failure and a divider”. There evidence: He failed to lead the Church to become and activist in the Modernist world of aggressive feminism and their demands for priestesses, to raise contraception and abortion to the rank of Sacraments of the Church, to acknowledge gaysex and same sex marriage and the entire plethora of sexual aberrations and dysfunction, as the highest form of Christian expression of “diversity and inclusiveness”. The worst calumny of all is that he was the principal an enabler of the abuse of children. We are even being entertained in the daily media by four year old columns attacking Benedict written by that dead atheist, Christopher Hitchins, he of the St. Teresa of Calcutta being the most evil woman and exploiter of the Poor that has ever existed (May God have mercy on his soul). Why we even have a pompous expatriate Australian lawyer who has become an ersatz Englishman with an affected pommy accent more pukka than your typical Upper class Englishman, who is suggesting that as soon as Benedict ceases to be Head of State, he could be sued for enabling the child abuse. I wonder what they will get out of him apart from his library of theological books, mostly in Latin, and his ball point pens!!! But then a holy man has always been an affront to the decadent materialists.

No crazier than some of the wishful thinking on the NY Times editorial page, according to what I read. They’re hoping someone who will approve of communion for the remarried but not annulled, or approval of condoms. That’s not too much to ask, they seem to think.

Elaine S

IMHO, the part about John Paul II being the “first non-Catholic Pope” is incorrect. Paul VI was the first non-Catholic Pope – Karol Woltja was the seoond.

And Pius XII was the last…so far.

It may be a little to much Catholic insider baseball, but funny to us of a certain age:

http://redcardigan.blogspot.com/2013/02/a-parody-with-many-apologies.html?m=1

I pray for Pope Benedict, that his days may be peaceful and nourishing for his body and soul.

The word that is being tossed around most in regards to a new Pope is “progressive.” Well I happen to believe that Christianity has been pretty darn progressive from the start. One would have to be totally ignorant of the history of the Western world not to see that the Church has had her hand in every incident of true progress that has happened.

This progress goes all the way back to the beginning when the Church said no to such things as babies being left to die on hillsides because it was their father’s wish. She dared to preach the humanity of all mankind and not just those who held the same family name, skin color, political loyalties, or other group identity. She showed us how the natural world reflected the Truths revealed to us by God. All of this was true progress. Those who toss the word progressive about are truly talking about the Church going backward and becoming barbaric to reflect the indifference, greed, lust and selfishness of this age. That is not new at all. It is just the same old, same old she has always fought against.

There appears to be no truth to the rumor that if Canadian Cardinal Mark Ouellet becomes Pope that Catholic Churches worldwide will switch to Tim Horton’s and all masses will end in a collective eh.

Why would a church that appears to be growing in the Third World confronted by Islamic violence and forging ahead want to steer into the rocks to satisfy the siren song of the 1%?

Mother Church has lots of issue to contend with and seems to be showing a willingness to tear down the Blue Wall and treat not reassign offenders.

We need a strong Pope, not just for RCs but as a beacon away from the Schori’s, Hiltz’s and Rowans of our beloved church. No Cardinal Peggy on the horizon please.

FW Ken — loved the link!

That’s funny to me, FW Ken, and not just because I recognise myself in part: after he was elected, I was all “Oh, boy! Crackdown’s a-coming!” Then it was “Any day now, wait and see” and then finally it was “Oh, okay, all right; I accept that notexcommunicating three-quarters of the Western Church and declaring the Americans in schism is a good thing, not a bad. Hmph!”

FW Ken –
While I am not Roman Catholic, I am of that certain age! I even understood most of the digs. Does that mean I am about to swim the Tiber???

Paula Loughliin –
Dogs gotta howl at the moon, dreamers have to dream, and liberals still have to play the same old tired games and pretend that things are not “progressive” enough for them.

Fuinseoig -
Take heart! There is such a thing as “incrementalism.” God has been doing it with humans ever since the Apple. A bit at a time, a bit at a time.

FW Ken, I do know Anglican chant, and [many] modern church songs make me rant. I must be part of the problem. That was funny!

liberals still have to play the same old tired games and pretend that things are not “progressive” enough for them.

THey also pretend that THIS time they’ll get the RIGHT Pope.

Lightning strikes Vatican

A lightning bolt centered on the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica would make for an interesting photo any day of the year – but when taken just hours after the Pope announced his resignation as leader of the Catholic church, it is even more likely to spark conversation.

Steve L., it’s a warning to the Cardinals, and especially Mahony & Co., to consult God before voting.

Just hope the next Pope is an Islamo-repugnant realist…and not an Islamophile, deluded by wishful thinking. As one Pope helped expose the USSR and communism to public scrutiny, may the next Pope use whatever power and credibility he (a given) possesses to expose the hypocrisy of the UN, UK, US liberals in regard to the atrocities built into the core of Islam. And may he rip, recant and renounce the despicable, political BK-ing CCC#841 right out of the Catechism.

Steve L, Nature responding with lightning, earthquake following spiritual sin, apostasy/heresy/syncretism/idolatry of God’s people are not infrequent…from Biblical times.

- The fire that came to burn the wet sacrifice and the cloud that brought rain when Elijay prayed.
- The earthquake that split the veil into the Holy of Holies when Jesus was crucified and declared His work and the earthly sacrificial priesthood finished.
- The earthquake that damaged the National Cathedral after the ‘gay’ marriage decision.
- The freak unexpected tornado that took the cross and steeple off the Presbyterian church the day of the PCUSA vote to accept ‘gay’ clergy.

There have been numerous others.

But as for the lightning at St. Peter’s, it is more likely a warning to the not so few apostates and unrepentant political manipulators amongst the Cardinals and other clerics, than God’s displeasure with BXVI’s resignation. After all, Benedict will be present in an advisory capacity and on the premises for as long as God sees fit.

IMNSHO, the greatest calls any Pope (or pastor) must make in the days to come are:

- Calling God’s Church, both shepherd and laity, to repentance.
- Calling Islam to repentance and reform.
- Calling unregenerate/unsaved to repentance.

Just hope the next Pope is an Islamo-repugnant realist…and not an Islamophile, deluded by wishful thinking.

‘Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached.’ —Manuel II Palaeologus, as quoted by Benedict XVI in the famous Regensburg lecture.

Who’s an Islamophile?

But as for the lightning at St. Peter’s, it is more likely a warning to the not so few apostates and unrepentant political manipulators amongst the Cardinals and other clerics, than God’s displeasure with BXVI’s resignation.

Or it could be, you know, an accumulated electrical charge in the atmosphere, discharging itself into the tallest available structure. My guess would be that since it was built, St. Peter’s has been struck by lightning scores of times, not because of Divine wrath, but because of other areas of Divine activity. Electromagnetism is God’s law, too.

I rather imagine they have a lightning rod on top of the cupola for the purpose of protecting from the probably not infrequent lightning strikes.

Pretty good for this to go 60+ comments before Whitestone came in with her anti-Catholic nonsense about the catechism being pro-Islam. She won’t like the next Pope, either, no matter who it is.

I wonder what the new Holy Father will call the old Holy Father? If they are both in the same room, what does one do when referring to them? It’s like two “Mr Presidents” I guess.

Also, what does the HF Emeritus wear? White is so hard to keep clean….does he stop wearing the red shoes? Does he go back to a cardinal’s clothing? This has been a very spiffily-dressed Pope, I’ll miss his resurrection of parts of Papal clothing not see in centuries.

Fuinseiog, I followed your link to the little report about the monastery – it doesn’t sound like a “monastery,” it sounds like a retreat center and I get the impression that nobody lives there full-time. Surely he’s not going to be rattling around that big place all by himself?

Wherever he ends up, I hope he gets to keep the red shoes. And a cat or two.

Anyone know just why no cats in the Vatican? Other, perhaps, than a reluctance to have the place end up looking like the ruins of the Roman Forum?

If they are both in the same room, what does one do when referring to them?

One is the Holy Grandfather. Duh!

Well, on a humorous note, I understand that the pope’s resignation was read in Latinto a group of cardinals and many of them didn’t understand what he’d said. Hmmmm, maybe they shouldn’t have been staring out the window when those declension thingies were being taught.

Does he go back to Joseph or does he stay Benedict? That’s an even better question. Fr. Z has asked the same questions and is gathering answers here:

http://wdtprs.com/blog/2013/02/quaeritur-what-will-benedict-xvi-be-called-after-his-abdication/

Abp. Dolan’s got a leftist bent?

http://www.aim.org/aim-column/popes-possible-successor-promotes-marxist-for-sainthood/

Actually, Katherine, I liked BXVI. Read his encyclicals and one book.

However, the validation of Islam is not anti-catholic nonsense at all…it is hoping the RC will turn from its heresy.

CCC841 (claiming Islam is a path to salvation, first among the other religions)is not showing much spiritual or natural discernment, and not a lot different than KJS holding joint worship with Mohammedans, Buddhists, Native American smudge potters or whatzername in TEC claiming to be both Muslim and Christian.

Correction/clarification: However, *objecting to the catechism’s* validation of Islam is not anti-catholic nonsense at all…it is hoping the RC will turn from its heresy.

Goodness, Therese. That made my head spin. I had thought he’d go back to being Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, but the “Brother Benedict” idea sounds like it might suit him.

Okay, watched the Ash Wednesday liturgy from St. Peter’s earlier this afternoon, and Radio Vatican TV has it up on demand at this link (go into “Agenda”, then click “On Demand” and click “On Demand” again and the recording should play; don’t forget to switch the audio to English!)

What I wanted to particularly mention was at the end of Cardinal Bertone’s little speech, around 1:52 mark onwards – ordinarily, I don’t approve of applause during the liturgy, but feck it, I was tearing up myself at that point.

Around 1:59 and a bit more, we get a shot of Monsignor (or as I must get used to calling him now, Archbishop) Gänswein looking a bit tearful, but I can’t blame the man; it was a good thing I had a box of tissues by the computer because I was wiping my eyes for the last ten minutes of the service.

I’m sharing this because I’d like you all to think of it when you read the articles in the newspapers about “What Catholics really want…” and “The next Pope should be…” and “What the 21st Century Church needs is…”. That’s all. Just contrast these scenes from the last public liturgy to be presided over by Pope Benedict XVI with what the media will tell us.

Now, excuse me, I seem to have a dust speck or something in my eye needs wiping away again

“Does he go back to Joseph or does he stay Benedict? That’s an even better question.”

That issue and many other similar trivial issues about the resigning Pope Benedict is as important as the pondering old theologians used to be criticism for such as “how many angels can dance on the tip of a needle?”

It is news the Pope has resigned, but it is not as if it is something he suddenly thought of or was totally unforeseen. There are provisions and procedures for this eventuality set down in Canon Law. The speculation and purported uncertainty is in the eyes of the ignorant MSM, whose main concern really is the wishful thinking that the next Pontiff approves of women and married priest, gays and gay marriage, contraception and abortion, euthanasia,eugenics and unconditional IVF procedures. In other words they hope that the Catholic Church will commit suicide like the other so called Mainline Christian denominations have done or in the process of doing. Then there will be no one to continue “prickling” the mainly Western Progressive Modernist conscience.

Fuinseoig, I read that Benedict was very warmly received today. Of course the liberal American nuns and the (happily declining) ranks of liberal American bishops weren’t too happy with him, but my impression has been that ordinary Catholics have liked him just fine. And non-Catholics, too! — I have several of his books on my shelves.

Well, this took an ugly turn: I was planning to come home and comment on the really cool lightning picture (“Wrath of God or Natural Phenomena: we report, you decide) and banter with Katherine about Anglican vs. Gregorian Chant.

But, not, it’s Whitestone poisoning the well as usual. I don’t feel a need to – again – point out that in context of the section “The Church and non-Christians”, 841 simply doesn’t say what Whitestone says it says. Omigosh! I just said it! Oh well…

But about Dorothy Day, I take strong exception. Yes, she had an abortion and flirted with Communism prior to her baptism. Anyone who thinks that brands her as having a bad character doesn’t understand Christianity. She remained an absolute pacifist the rest of her life. I personally hold to just war doctrine, but pacifism has a long pedigree in the Church. It’s something about which reasonable people can disagree. Perhaps time has validated her resistance to the Vietnam War. Perhaps not. Again, I don’t agree with a lot of Day’s politics, but to my knowledge, support for Trade Unions is not a mortal sin.

Catholic social/economic is complex. Catholics, indeed all Christians, are obligated by Jesus Himself to help the poor. The ways and means of doing that can spark many interesting discussions. It’s not secret that the allegedly “leftist” Cardinal Dolan, like most of the bishops, favors national health care, but objects to the HHS regulations. So before we start with slanders, we ought to distinguish moral principles from prudential judgments.

I forgot the important points:

If I met Benedict on the streets on March 1, I’d call him “Papa” and kiss his hand. The real question to ask is whether he’ll start hanging out down at the local parish. I doubt he can play bacchi ball anymore with those knees, but I’ll bet a few grandkids need baptizing.

And, yes, the “monastery” is, I believe, the Vatican guest house. It sounds like they are making an apartment for him.

And the lightning picture really was cool!

Will someone please answer the most important question: why are cats not allowed in the Vatican?

Because cats eat cardinals.

Carolyn P, pets in general (not just cats) are not allowed in the Vatican.

Maybe it has to do with the last time a pope had a pet – I’m sure the cleaners said afterwards “No more animals or we’re going on strike!”

Suburbanbanshee, if this were WDTPRS, you’d get the Gold Star of the Day.

Suburbanbanshee

You know that the birds are named after the clergymen, didn’t you? The color of their robes is what named the bird, not the other way around.

Us Catholics are under and behind everything…..

Under indictment and behind the 8 ball!

I’m very glad to have been quiet and un-missed!

Yours truly is anyway extremely sad about Benedict XVI stepping down the way he is. However, here’s to trusting his judgement and great humility!! His mind seems as sharp as ever, but if he has been in such pain, he really seems to understand that sometimes it’s better to “quit while the going is good.”

People who I DON’T want to see ascend the Petrine throne are:

Roger Mahony (Los Angeles) – thoroughly bad character, highly non-orthodox;
Christoph Schönborn (Wien – Vienna) – extremely suspect relative to orthodoxy;
Timothy Dolan (New York City) – not as pro-life as should be;
Thomas Collins (Toronto) – likely too moderate
Cláudio Hummes (São Paulo) – apparently too moderate if not leftist.

[In fact, it would be good if neither Mahony nor Schönborn even were to make it to the conclave...]

I could favour Antonio Cañizares, Francis Arinze (that one is perhaps too old), Tarcisio Bertone (WND has been watching this one), Raymond Burke and – perhaps – Marc Ouellet. [Ouellet's pro-life, but I'm uneasy about his being from one of the most anti-Christian regions in the world, the province of Québec in Canada - is he genuine? At least Burke, Arinze and apparently Cañizares have proven themselves as worthies.]

Either way – from a non-Catholic who yet wishes well to the Romanists in all regards – I wish somebody as close as possible to Benedict XVI, only healthier and more energetic. Somebody who’ll be equally uncompromising regarding the pro-life issue, liturgy, theology, welcoming back the ultra-conservatives (i.e., the followers of Marcel Lefèbvre) while hounding the “liberals”, keeping the pressure mercilessly against the sodomites and other LGBTQites – and also stepping up to expose Islam for what it is (and the same with crypto-Communism!!). That one issue is where he can really improve upon both John-Paul II and even Benedict XVI.

Finally, may God Bless Joseph Ratzinger – Benedict XVI – as he retires and gets secluded inside a monastery inside Vatican City – may he yet have some healthy times, finish off his books, be a good advisor to his successor and be even more fruitful yet prior to being called home by God to his already amply well-deserved rest!!!!

The election of Roger Cardinal Mahony is not as unlikely as a follow-on meteor in Russia exploding in such as way as to play “Боже, Царя храни!”

But I would still bet heavily against.

Good point, “Ed”: it’s one thing for a meteor to explode in a specific way (and for it to play “God Save the Carj {Tsar}!” would be extra-unlikely); whereas Mahony has what looks like a 1/115 chance – God Almighty FORBID…