I write at 2:43 p.m. local time or 8:43 p.m. in Rome (on February 28th).\u00a0 That means Pope Benedict XVI resignation went into effect 43 minutes ago.\u00a0 It was not a simple decision for him to retire, especially since there is no retirement provision for popes.\u00a0 That’s why all the headlines say he resigned.\u00a0 Our bishops are required by Canon Law to submit letters of resignation for retirement when they turn 75.\u00a0 Bishops used to serve until death but that was changed in the 1960’s.\u00a0\u00a0Pope Benedict XVI was already above that age when he was elected pope in 2005 after the death of Pope John Paul II.\u00a0 While Pope Benedict’s time as pope was less than a third of Pope John Paul II’s time, Pope Benedict was faithful in his service\u00a0to the church.\u00a0 He decided to retire because of his diminished abilities due to age.\u00a0 He did this so that our church might have a new pope with the energy to fulfill all that is required of him.\u00a0 As such, I see his resignation as a noble act and pray that his remaining years on Earth be a time of peace and prayer in God’s love.<\/p>\n
Now, for the first time in 600 years, our church is without a pope for a reason other than death.\u00a0 While an exact day has not been set for the conclave to elect a new pope to begin, we expect it to be relatively soon.\u00a0 When a pope dies, there is normally a time of grieving but since Pope Benedict XVI is not dead, there is no need for grieving in that same sense.\u00a0 There are plenty of news stories speculating on who will become the new pope.\u00a0 I do not know and I do not care to speculate.\u00a0 I simply pray that the one God is calling to be pope is the one elected and that he lead not by his own will but in accord with God’s Will.<\/p>\n
Peace,<\/p>\n
Fr.\u00a0 Jeff<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I write at 2:43 p.m. local time or 8:43 p.m. in Rome (on February 28th).\u00a0 That means Pope Benedict XVI resignation went into effect 43 minutes ago.\u00a0 It was not a simple decision for him to retire, especially since there is no retirement provision for popes.\u00a0 That’s why all the headlines say he resigned.\u00a0 Our …<\/p>\n