Pope Benedict Resigns

FredHayek wrote: Poor Ratzinger, it was very hard to follow the charismatic Pope John Paul II. But maybe one more reason that the man is retiring, was seeing firsthand how JPII's last years went with the Parkinson's and dementia.

Just an anecdote, but it was very interesting. Last April I was at the Vatican (historical interest in the complex, not religious) and I noticed in the gift shop, every pope picture for sale was of John Paul II. There was only one picture of Benedict and that was a picture of him with... get ready for it... John Paul II.

I couldn't find any info regarding "holy" pictures of living popes and whether or not there is some restriction on living popes icons (although I doubt it), but it was interesting none the less.

Even if you go to the Vatican gift shop web site, the top banner has Benedict AND John Paul gracing the banner (I made a pun).

http://www.vaticangift.com/?gclid=CNPXk ... MgodR2IAVQ

Just an interesting observation.

Catholics are supposed to give up something for Lent but I don't think that includes your job.

Has Nate Silver reported on the odds on the papal election?

FredHayek wrote: Catholics are supposed to give up something for Lent but I don't think that includes your job.

No, but here's a few things Catholics have given up:

"Some people say" that when you have a leader that has presided over this much decline, then it's probably a good time to get out before it gets any worse.

* Decline in baptisms
* Decline in weddings
* Decline in Mass attendance / participation
* Decline in membership
* Decline in priesthood / sisterhood
* Decline in ordinations
* Decline in seminarians
* Decline in churches
* Decline in enrollment in Catholic schools
* Decline in the solvency, confidence & respect for the Vatican Bank

* Only 10% accept teachings on contraception
* Only 35% accept teachings on divorce; (65% maintain that one can be divorced and still be a "good Catholic")
* Only 47% accept teachings on abortion
* Only 30% accept teachings on Eucharist; (70% still see it as merely "symbolic")

And I've seen many articles suggesting that the resignation is somewhat suspicious, given its proximity to a new HBO documentary, "Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God," which recently aired on HBO.

Gee, if any other "CEO" of a company had managed to screw up a company that much, they would have been out on their keisters in less than 8 years...

A Catholic friend of mine believes he is being forced out.

And to expand on LJ's points, the Church is facing many challenges right now and it would do well to hire someone with the energy and ability to work on these.

Benedict did get the reputation as a man who didn't like handling the day to day operations of the church, more a scholar than a manager.

chickaree wrote: A Catholic friend of mine believes he is being forced out.

That thought had not occurred to me. Interesting. The Catholic church has been declining, but is that an indication of poor leadersip, or just people changing and losing respect for traditional values?

Conan wrote:

chickaree wrote: A Catholic friend of mine believes he is being forced out.

That thought had not occurred to me. Interesting. The Catholic church has been declining, but is that an indication of poor leadersip, or just people changing and losing respect for traditional values?

If traditional values includes not reporting pedophile priests or removing them from contact with children, then the answer would be yes.

I thought that if the church didn't like the pope, they just put poison in his food or something sneaky like that. The really are catching up with the times.

frogger wrote: I am not Catholic either but do understand the significance of the Pope to the Catholic faith.
I find it distasteful to see some make jokes.
There is no respect for anyone or anything in this country anymore.
Folks scream to be treated with respect as they make fun or or disrespect others and their beliefs systems.
You might not agree with it but for goodness sake, man up and make an attempt at respectful conversation.
Geeeeeez

Respect must be earned and the Pope does carry a very long and violent history on his shoulders, so some that disagree with him or don't like that history, make fun.

It is pretty simple, he is the leader of their religion and those that really follow want him to also be the leader of their govt as devout Catholics that I know want a monarchy with him on top.

This is really not relevant to those outside of the Church, unless they get their monarchy.

Respect can come and go and allowing this enables us to find the good people and help those that are not.