Monday, February 11, 2013
Pope Benedict XVI will resign the Papacy at the end of the month.
News of the Pope’s resignation shocked the Vatican insiders and Catholics around the world. Citing advanced age, he issued this statement:
“After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry.”
He went on:
“However, in today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to steer the boat of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me.”
Is it possible that Benedict himself lost faith?
Pope Benedict XVI, who was a member of Hitler’s Youth, replaced Pope John Paul II in 2005 at the time of his death and led the Catholic Church during the on-going priest child sex abuse scandal that rocked the Vatican to its foundation.
Profoundly homophobic, Pope Benedict XVI, never missed an opportunity to issue an offensive edict attacking gay rights and same-sex marriage.
The Roman Catholic Church now finds itself at a crossroads. It can remain mired in the 8th century or it can embrace the 21st century and recognize women priests and the growing belief that gay couples have the right to marry.
From the Left 
I am not Catholic so I don’t understand many things about Catholicism. One of them is, why are Popes usually expected to die in office? When a person reaches advanced age, carrying out specific duties becomes impossible. Why not cap the age at say 75 or 80 and then retire?
The Hell with you schvine hunts….. Here I am trying to bring back 16th century values, and all I get are complaints! So, I’m quitting and going back to my death star…. Good-bye!!!!
Pope Rat is a bigot and a hater. His New Years edicts are legendary in their vitriol attacking gay people.
This is an opportunity for the Roman Catholic Church to join the rest of the world in 2013 or continue to see its membership shrink as their brand of faith becomes increasingly irrelevant to the modern world.
It is believed Neanderthals became extinct due to climate change and their inability to change. If the Vatican doesn’t change and adapt to the modern world, they too will become extinct. Pope Rat is like something from ancient times. He’s a joke and completely out of touch with his flock. Good riddance.
Can the Vatican find a Bishop who wasn’t involved in the global priest sex abuse scandal?
Does a retiring Pope get AARP?
Here’s what Pope Benny the Bigot said about Islam at a speech at Regensburg University in 2006:
“Show me exactly what is new about what Mohammed had to say. You will find his words only contain evil and inhuman ideas, like his order to spread the faith he preached by the sword.”
Pope Benny the Bigot was forced to apologize.
http://www.euronews.com/2010/04/19/pope-benedict-s-tenure-marked-by-controversy/
Good riddance to bad trash.
Pope John Paul II endured many health issues but he muddled on until he death.
While I didn’t agree with much Pope John Paul II said, you could tell he was a kind soul just by how he embraced children and members of his world-wide flock.
When Pope Benedict, by contrast, came across as mean and cold. Uncomfortable with people as if he had secrets he was hiding. When the world learned he had tried to bury pedophile priests by relocating them, the facade was fractured.
Like the Wizard of Oz.
I see Nazi is trending on twitter? At first thought, strange. Oh wait, Pope Rat and the Vatican are trending too. That must explain it.
Don’t let the door hit you in the ass, Benny.
Pope Again Denounces Gay Marriage As Threat To Mankind (from Jonathan Turley)
http://jonathanturley.org/2012/12/21/pope-again-denounces-gay-marriage/
The Pope has again launched into what is becoming a disturbing mantra: gay marriage is threatening the future of mankind. Now that the Mayan apocalypse has passed, it appears the Pope is ready with a substituted menace of loving gay couples marrying. Pope Benedict XVI insisted that gender theories supporting homosexuality are false and that the world must confront “the question of what it means to be a man, and what it is necessary to do to be true men.”
Like any organization, it seems to me the question is, did Benedict XVI leave the Catholic Church in better or worse condition than when he found it.
The answer is clear. His efforts to yank the church back to a more conservative time, was by any measure, a total failure.
The Catholic Church is not going to change its core beliefs just because Benny is leaving. To think the church will suddenly embrace the modern world is simply unrealistic. I expect more of the status quo.
I expect huge celebrations to break out around the world…..
More of the same. That’s my prediction. More of the same.
Pope Benedict XVI wasn’t born in the wrong decade or century.
He was born in the wrong millennium. I am certain he would like to see a return of self-flagellation for the wayward. Go Benny, just go and leave us alone. Douchebag.
Yes, Vivzz…. and a ‘senior discount’ when he goes to the movies…….
1.2 billion Catholics on earth. But how many listen or even recognize the teachings of the Pope in the modern age? In Europe and North America, I bet it’s fewer than 10%.
All of which begs the question? Who is the Roman Catholic Church in the modern age? Does it matter and should it matter?
Whoever the College of Cardinals elect can’t possibly be as bad as Benny.
Soon the Cardinals will be blowing smoke out their…. chimney.
For as long as I have been alive it’s always been an old white guy as pope.
Can they at least have a person of color for a change?
This “religion” is so out of touch– kind of stunning they are still around.
gees, I always thought Pope Benedict was poached eggs on a muffin with Holy Dayz sauce…..golly…..I didna know he was a real time person. sheesh
I thought this post was about the Pope retiring, not you. Hope all is well and you’ll be posting soon!
JustaJeepGuy – What made you think I’m retiring? I still have 35 years to go.
It’s just an unusually posting break for you. Plus I had a lot of long-time favorite blog unexpectedly quit. Glad you’ll be around for a while!