Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Catholic News

Home

Home
Catholic
Religion News
Lay Catholics voice gratitude for ‘inspired’ Pope

Lay Catholics voice gratitude for ‘inspired’ Pope

Last updated on: February 12, 2013 at 1:02 am by CNA Daily News

Lay Catholics voice gratitude for ‘inspired’ Pope 2013-02-12T01:02:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Washington D.C., Feb 11, 2013 / 06:02 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Prominent lay Catholics reacted with surprise and sorrow to Pope Benedict XVI's announcement that he will resign the papacy, but they praised his Christian life and service to the Catholic Church.

Supreme Knight Carl Anderson of the Knights of Columbus underscored Catholics' thoughts and prayers are with Pope Benedict in his remaining days in office.

“We wish him all the best in his retirement,” Anderson said. “In addition, we pray for all those cardinals who will take part in the conclave, and for his successor, that God may inspire them as they carry out the mission with which they are entrusted.”

On Feb. 11, Pope Benedict announced that he would resign from his duties on Feb. 28, citing “advanced age” and deteriorating strength. The consistory of cardinals he had convoked will serve as a papal conclave.

Anderson said the Pope “worked so hard in leading the Church” and has always been “such a good friend” to the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal charitable order with over 1.8 million members worldwide.

John Garvey, President of The Catholic University of America, said the Washington, D.C. university is “surprised and saddened.” He called the Pope “a faithful, charitable and inspired leader of the Church” and “a lover of Jesus Christ.”

“He has been a public figure of considerable importance, reminding the world of the inviolable dignity of the human person, and the call of the Gospel to charity.”

Garvey said the Pope helped deepen Catholics' understanding of Catholic education and the role of the Catholic educator. He said the university will particularly treasure his April 17, 2008 visit to the campus.

“We will continue to reflect with gratitude on his papacy which has been a gift to The Catholic University of America, to the church, and to the world,” Garvey added.

Maureen Ferguson, a senior policy advisor with the D.C.-based group The Catholic Association, reflected that the Pope is stepping down “out of love for the Church and her needs.”

“Pope Benedict XVI will be remembered as a profound theologian who encouraged a love for the person of Jesus Christ, and as a reformer who confronted scandal head on and has left the Church with the strongest child protection policies of any institution in the United States,” she said.

Ashley McGuire, a senior fellow with The Catholic Association, voiced gratitude for Pope Benedict’s leadership and his “profound commitment to Christ and the Church.” She said the resignation is “an act of great humility.”

“Benedict XVI will be remembered as a profound theologian who strengthened Christianity worldwide especially in the West, and as a great reformer who appointed faithful and courageous shepherds who will continue his legacy.”

Charles Coulombe, a Catholic historian and writer from Los Angeles, told CNA he was “very unhappy” about the resignation.

“I think he’s been the best Pope in my lifetime. And I think that there’s a great loss to us all on levels,” he said Feb. 11. “On the other hand, looking at what he faces, I can understand why he did it.”

He noted the stresses of overseeing ordinary life of the Church, as in the “very strenuous” upcoming Holy Week celebrations. On the political front, there are looming clashes with the U.S., French and Irish governments over religious freedom, the redefinition of marriage and abortion. The Holy See also continues to seek peace amid turmoil in the Middle East.

Coulombe said news of the resignation for him felt like “a kick in the head.”

“But as the hours have gone by, and I let myself think about it, I have to believe he knows what he’s doing.” He said Pope Benedict had “a very ambitious program for the Church,” especially in working towards Church unity.

The historian reflected on how the pontiff “faced a great deal of opposition within the ranks” on some initiatives, like the apostolic letter “Summorum Pontificum” that allowed wider celebration of the Latin-language Tridentine Mass.

“He opened the door for a lot of really, really good things. And I suspect he’s hoping his successor will have the vigor and the strength to push them through,” Coulombe said.

Previous Post

February 12, 2013

Orthodox bishop lauds Pope for building good relations

Next Post

February 12, 2013 Late-term abortions criticized after death of New York woman

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

I stood on a wooden platform and read the Law from daybreak till noon, and the people wept. Who am I?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Moses Joshua Ezra Nehemiah