The Pope Till Death Do Us Part, Sometimes

Last updated on: June 28, 2014 at 10:37 am by David Mills

The Pope Till Death Do Us Part, Sometimes 2014-06-28T10:37:48-04:00 David Mills

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.

Popes Should Resign More Often, declares fellow Patheos blogger Marc Barnes. Quoting Benedict’s explanation of his resignation, he argues that he

didn’t resign for personal reasons that may or not be repeated. He resigned for reasons that created a norm, an example to follow, an expectation — a universally applicable rule, even.

. . . Benedict’s resignation put things in their proper order. The Bishop of Rome is not a dead symbol, but a living reality, an apostle who actively leads, guides and admonishes the faithful. If he is too old to do this, it is not enough to hang on to the office of the papacy. Far better to lead than to be “the leader.” . . .

The Pope is a representative of Christ on Earth, but he is also a man, and that’s the beauty of the thing.

I agree with everything he says, with one qualification: It would also be a good thing, a thing in the proper order, for a pope to continue as pope till he died, even if he suffers years of declining ability. Marc’s argument implies that the pope ought to step down when he finds himself in the same situation as did Benedict.

A pope can be pope in different ways. Benedict explained that he was doing what he believed God wanted him to do, and another pope may believe God wants him to stay. His public endurance of suffering might be a needed witness, or the Church might need a break from an active and public pope, or the tendency for resignation to become expected should be denied, or the fact that the papacy is a calling and not simply a job should be made dramatically clear. Or other reasons I haven’t thought of.

The papacy & the pope

Previous Post

June 23, 2014

Readings (23 June 2014)

Next Post

June 23, 2014 Goldman Says: World Cup Over, Now!

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Abortion & life American Life Anglican Affairs Apologetics Art and artistry Beer Capitalism's downside Catholic converts Catholic issues Catholicism & public life Catholicism in general Christianity & culture Christianity & the Jews Conservatism Conservative problems Death Do unto others Dogs Ecumenical friendship Evangelicalism Evil in the world Family Friendship Heroes How we should live Islam It's a funny old world Jews Judaism Israel Judaism justice Liberalism Life issues Marriage Mary Mass Media Modern culture good & bad Modern life as it is lived Modern Religion Mormonism People Personal reflections Politicians Protestantism Race Rand & Randiansm Secularisms Sexualities Society justice equality freedom The papacy & the pope Uncategorized Worship Writing & Language

Select a Month January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does the Bible say about pride?

Select your answer to see how you score.

It goes before a fall It is harmless It is a virtue It always wins