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Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
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WMC Photo
Rev. Ivan Abrahams
Rev. Ivan Abrahams, general secretary of the World Methodist Council
New of Pope Benedict XVI's resignation of the papacy effective Feb. 28 set the religious world both a-Twitter and Facebooking on the whys and wherefores of the momentous event, and global Methodists joined in the conversation.
Methodist-related comments on both major social media platforms Facebook and Twitter seemed to fall into two camps:
- Those expressing respect and even admiration for Benedict at recognizing his decreasing ability to function in the demanding pontifical office;
- Those who note that Benedict departs as the Vatican is currently embroiled in at least two scandals, the ongoing revelations of priests sexually abusing children, and allegations of money laundering through the Vatican bank.
In a post titled "Of Popes and Retirement" on her Thoughtful Pastor blog, the Rev. Christy Thomas of Krum, TX, summed up the feelings reflected in other online commentaries:
"... I will tell you I had little admiration for this man. Personally, I saw him as a power-hungry institutional churchman who knew little of a gracious and Holy God whose Son came to seek the lost and die a lonely death, and who really didn’t care that many, especially children, were severely injured by decisions he made in his high-level clerical career before he assumed that highest seat of honor and power in the RC world.
"I also didn’t particularly care to hear from his lips that I serve a 'deficient' religion. Nonetheless, that was his opinion and there is certainly a grace in being honest.
"But at this point, I say that he has done an honorable, if unprecedented, act. He is simply no longer fit for the position, and has appeared to face this situation honestly and to leave before he becomes completely unable to do the job. ... It was an act of integrity."
At the same time, other Methodist commentators noted that the pontiff's resignation was announced just as HBO released a new documentary, "Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God," detailing the Roman Catholic Church's longtime cover-up of priestly sexual abuse of children. Highlighted in the documentary is Pope Benedict XVI previous work, when he was known as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, as head of the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faithful.
Treading a more cordial ecumenical path, the World Methodist Council based in Lake Junaluska, NC, issued a release noting its own longtime interactions with the Vatican as the symbolic "head of communion" for the world's 70 million Methodist and Wesleyan adherents:
For the first time in six centuries, a pope has resigned. Citing advanced age and frailty and after examining his conscience before God, Pope Benedict XVI said in a statement, “I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise” of his position as head of the world’s one billion Roman Catholics.
“In today’s world,” the pope said, “subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of St. 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.”
“For this reason,” he continued, “and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom, I declare that I renounce the ministry of bishop of Rome, successor of St. Peter.”
Upon learning of the news of Pope Benedict’s resignation, General Secretary Ivan Abrahams recalled time spent in the company of the Pope at various ecumenical and interfaith conferences attended by both him and the prior General Secretary, the Rev. Dr. George Freeman. Most recently the Vice President of the World Methodist Council, Bishop Sarah Davis, was a guest of the 13th Ordinary Synod of Bishops of the Roman Catholic Church.
“It takes courage, particularly for those of us in religious vocations, to realize that while your spirit may be willing to carry out a task, your body is unable,” noted Abrahams.
The council's statement ended with a promise of prayers for Roman Catholics during the leadership transition, particularly the College of Cardinals that will elect Benedict's successor in office.
While links between Roman Catholics and Methodists may not always be visible at local levels, the two communions have been in high-level dialogue on theology and mission for nearly half a century. In particular, the Roman Catholic Church, the World Methodist Council joined the Lutheran World Federation in signing a historic document in 2009 affirming their common belief in the doctrine of "justification by faith," meaning that belief in Jesus Christ is sufficient for salvation.
As to who will succeed Pope Benedict, Business Insider posts an article on oddsmakers predictions for the next pontiff. The top three contenders according to BI: French Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet, Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana and Cardinal Leonardo Sandi of Argentina.
Meanwhile, Religion News Service offers a list of 12 cardinals and one archbishop who have what the Italians call "papabile," or "pope ability." RNS also gives visitors a chance to do what no rank-and-file believer can do officially -- vote for the pope in an online poll listing the 12 most popular candidates.