Pope Benedict XVI blesses faithful at the end of his visit at the Roman seminary, in Rome Sunday, Feb. 8, 2013. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Update: Pope Benedict to resign his post
David Bale
Monday, February 11, 2013
11:43 AM
Prayers are being said in East Anglian churches for the pope who has announced he is to
resign his office after declaring he was too old to carry on as head of the Catholic Church.
Pope Benedict XVI will quit on February 28, the Vatican said today, adding the announcement was a surprise.
A statement from Father Mark Hackeson, spokesman for the Diocese of East Anglia, said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Holy Father at this time. His statement makes clear that his decision comes after long consideration and prayer, and illustrates his complete commitment to the church and her mission.”
A Vatican statement said the pope was unable to continue in office due to his age and diminishing strength, he is 85, and the papacy will remain vacant until a successor is elected.
He is the first pontiff to resign in nearly 600 years. The decision sets the stage for a conclave to elect a new pope before the end of March.
The pope announced his decision in Latin during a meeting of Vatican cardinals this morning.
“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 told the cardinals. “I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only by words and deeds but no less with prayer and suffering.
“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 govern the bark of St. Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary - strengths which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognise my incapacity to adequately the ministry entrusted to me.”
See tomorrow’s paper for more on this story.
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18 comments
If you are chosen by God, who do you hand in your notice to?? Just a thought.
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Andy T
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
[Post removed by Moderator]
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Frank Fryup
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
What no comments?
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Frank Fryup
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Oh for goodness sake, get your quotes right: "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 ship 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 recognise my incapacity to adequately fulfil the ministry entrusted to me." The bark of St Peter!!
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Frank Fryup
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
why invite comments only to publish none?
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Mr Cameron Isaliar
Monday, February 11, 2013
he looked pretty fail
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nrg
Monday, February 11, 2013
Well done the pope.. He accepts that he cannot do his job.. It comes to us all... You cannot keep pushing him around on wheels like a carnival attraction..... Time to move on and pick a new pope.. Nobody keeps going forever..
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Lionel
Monday, February 11, 2013
Hang on where did it go?
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Frank Fryup
Monday, February 11, 2013
Apparently this is the 3rd most commented story...
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Frank Fryup
Monday, February 11, 2013
Habemus Brian Dowling?
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Mr Cameron Isaliar
Monday, February 11, 2013
Any coincidence in the Pope resigning today, and asteroid 2012 DA14 having a very close encounter (24,000km) on Friday?
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Stuart
Monday, February 11, 2013
Who could possibly replace him? Maybe someone in tune with the "modern" world, like Brian Dowling.
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Mr Cameron Isaliar
Monday, February 11, 2013
shame
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nrg
Monday, February 11, 2013
D'oh!
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nrg
Monday, February 11, 2013
gosh I've been zapped by archant gods
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nrg
Monday, February 11, 2013
more plumes of holy smoke to go up the chimney then???..tis leave a nasty carbon papal footprint then....can we have a lady one now please or a gay version.
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nrg
Monday, February 11, 2013
Well done the pope.. He accepts that he cannot do his job.. It comes to us all... You cannot keep pushing him around on wheels like a carnival attraction..... Time to move on and pick a new pope.. Nobody keeps going forever..
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Lionel
Monday, February 11, 2013
Is he from Norwich? I'm not sure I understand the relevance to EN24.
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martin
Monday, February 11, 2013