Pope Benedict XVI to Resign: Fredericksburg Catholics React
Catholic Church head is first Pope to step down in 600 years. What's your reaction and where does the church go from here?
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Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday he will step down from his position Feb. 28, citing failing strength of “mind and body."
He will be the first pontiff to resign since 1415, the Washington Post reports.
"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," the Pope said in a statement.
"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."
Pope Benedict, formerly Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now 85, was selected in April 2005 after the death of the very popular and charismatic Pope John Paul II. Pope Benedict was 78 at the time -- the oldest person in more than 200 years chosen to head the church.
Benedict's tenure has been distracted by clerical abuse scandals and Vatican internal struggles.
Fredericksburg Parishes
St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
How will the change affect Catholics around the world and in your parish? Tell us in the comments below.
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St. Jude Catholic Church
10725 Courthouse Rd, Fredericksburg, VA -
St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
1009 Stafford Ave, Fredericksburg, VA
Susan Larson
11:26 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
From Debbie on Facebook: "If he doesn't feel he is capable of doing the job anymore, then he is doing the right thing!"
1Ronald
6:15 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
Well, certainly Mr. Ratzinger has taught us how a name change can bring positive PR and prevent anyone from becoming too familiar with the man as a person. And they got a lot of mileage out of Mr. Arnold's surname. But no one noticed.
Scott V
4:54 pm on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
What great humility and faith that the sucessor of St. Peter has humbled himself for the betterment of his flock. The inner struggle for him to realize that another is better than he at this time of the Church's history. During this declared "Year of Faith", what a great example that God is in charge.
To the world, it's unsettling to imagine a man with global influence and practical power, moving to a small room, in a house of prayer, where he'll offer Mass and probably practice the piano. But Benedict XVI has never been interested in power or influence. He has been interested in friendship with Jesus Christ — his own, and mine, and yours.