Notes of
Concern…
…Jackson Blair
Well Done
Many hold that The Pope of the Catholic Church is the Vicar
of Christ on Earth. He is the descendant of Peter, the apostle.
Christ’s ministry continued until his horrible death on the
cross.
Popes throughout history have felt that if they were named
Vicar of Christ on Earth they should serve until they died, no matter how
difficult that might be.
Pope Benedict XVI has determined that he should resign as
Pope. His resignation is reported to be due to diminishing mental and physical
capacity.
Some will say that he has betrayed the basic tenets of faith
and the duties of his papacy. That, like Christ, he should serve until God takes
him home no matter how difficult that service might be.
There is an example in the secular world of one who seems to
have determined to stay the course, Queen Elizabeth II, and recently served her
Jubilee Year to much acclaim. She has served England now for 61 years. Here is
what she said years ago when she ascended the throne of England:
Some will say Pope Benedict has made a rational decision
that best serves the needs of his church. He has shown that one can “serve” in
many different ways and that as his stamina wanes he passes “leadership” to
another while continuing his “service” in a “life of prayer” away from the
public eye.
Others will find ways to suggest conspiracy theories about
his abdication of the seat of St. Peter.
None of us are qualified to judge.
All of us are qualified to have an opinion.
Everyone one of us walking our own path through the ageing
process should have empathy.
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger who was one day to become Pope
Benedict XVI served the church faithfully. He was an intellect. He played
important roles in the Vatican prior to his elevation as Pope. He had strong
beliefs and was considered both conservative and a man committed to basic
Catholic beliefs.
Whether it is appropriate for a Pope to resign prior to his
death will be a matter for conjecture.
This Pope felt he could not meet the demands of his position
and that his church deserved better.
It is difficult for me to have any feelings other than
gratitude for his service and sympathy for the situation in which he finds
himself.
Well done thou good and faithful servant!
