The Pope Got It Wrong
In a long, thoughtful, and--this is the writer's perpetual habit--gorgeously written piece, Jody Bottum argues over at the Weekly Standard that Benedict XVI has just made a terrible mistake.
An excerpt:
After this, how will any of his successors feel able to do what John Paul II did, failing physically in the full view of the public—preaching one last homily with his death? Benedict speaks of the unique pressures of “today’s world,” which he insists require a younger man’s strength of mind and body. But today’s world is unique only because we say it is. Human life remains as it was, our aging and our deaths what they always were.
In other words, the modern world doesn’t really need to see in the pope a model of competent administration, nice as that would be. It does need, however, a public reminder that we are not incapacitated as human beings when we age and prepare to die. We are not to be tucked away or compelled by moral pressure to remove our lives and deaths from public view. The older vision of life is the more complete one, and in today’s world, perhaps uniquely, we are in special need of remembering that.
The doctrine of papal infallibility, be it noted, holds that the Holy Spirit prevents a pope from error only when he pronounces, very formally, and in compliance with a long series of strict conditions, on matters of faith and morals, and not--very emphatically not--that no pope will ever make a mistake. Even the most devout Catholic (and Jody is plenty devout) thus remains entirely at liberty to consider Benedict's decision last week, and...wonder.
As, I confess, do I.
- Comment (61)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (24)
Comments:
Jun '10
Re: The Pope Got It Wrong
KC Mulville:
The pope is, ultimately, a bishop.
Indeed, and other bishops are required to submit their resignations at 75, though the Pope may delay accepting it and allow them to serve longer if he wishes. Cardinals are no longer eligible to vote in conclaves after their 80th birthday.
I think it would make sense for future Popes to establish a standard retirement age, be it 75, 80, or whatever, where Popes voluntarily resign. They may stay on longer if they wish, but except in very unusual circumstances they should not resign before reaching that age.
I think this would solve two problems.
May '11
Re: The Pope Got It Wrong
It sounds like you are saying that once we realize that we can dispense with the Holy Father, we can get back to Christ and ignore the sideshow?...
The Church is the body of Christ, and the Holy Father is the vicar of Christ on earth. As the successor of Peter, we Christians should look to him to feed and lead us in battling the forces of Hell.
With Christian charity, this is where we must respectfully disagree. The priesthood exists because division of labor is a fact of life (as St. Paul makes clear in I Corinthians 12), not because ontological change is conferred at ordination. We need no mediator to stand before the Lord. Every day, tens of million of Christians pray to Christ calling Him "our only Mediator and Advocate" (Book of Common Prayer). And that He is.
This is not new ground. Thoughtful and curious Roman Catholics and Protestants how sought to understand each other, and the 'Priesthood of all believers' remains a key disagreement. I hope and pray for the selection of a faithful pope, but we do not need to "look to him to feed and lead us in battling the forces of Hell."
May '10
Re: The Pope Got It Wrong
Joseph Stanko
I think it would make sense for future Popes to establish a standard retirement age, be it 75, 80, or whatever, where Popes voluntarily resign. ...
I don't like this idea. The Pope is not simply a bishop. His office is entirely unique. There is no one above it but God.
To your #1: I don't find the surprise element at all negative. I know for many it is increasing the impression that the Pope himself is "in charge" of this decision. He did it in his own way, at the time he deemed right.
To #2: I really don't think popes are susceptible to pressure of that kind—at least not more than they are susceptible to other evils, like assassination, or treachery.
Sep '12
Re: The Pope Got It Wrong
Katievs – thanks for the link to Cardinal Arinze. “This event can become for us a strengthening and purification in our faith”. This is the call of Lent.
Peter – last night at mass here in Jakarta, our celebrant, Father Joseph, a Vatican diplomat from Spain, cautioned us to disregard the 100’s and 1000’s of commentaries we would hear and read on the Pope’s decision to renounce his office. Father reminded us that Lent is not only a personal journey but a communal one as well. We are the Body of Christ and must act as such. Father’s simple message was “pray and trust”. Cardinal Arinze said the same in an incredibly joyful way.
KC - I really enjoyed your comment #12
Be not afraid.
Jun '12
Re: The Pope Got It Wrong
The Pope, one of the most respectable and holiest man in the world, even to non-Catholics, prayed about this decision to God for a very long time. He arrived at a decision and we have to keep insisting his decision is wrong. What is the message? We don't have faith the Pope can communicate with God? That the Pope is not acting like a Pope? Did God permit the wrong Pope in the first place? Honestly, it is rather confusing.
Edited on February 17, 2013 at 12:55amJan '11
Re: The Pope Got It Wrong
katievs
I don't like this idea. The Pope is not simply a bishop. His office is entirely unique. There is no one above it but God.
I agree that the office, in the totality of things, is entirely unique.
But I still think that the key to understanding Benedict's decision to retire, in contrast to John Paul II's decision, has to be considered in light of the sacrament of orders.
You could look at JP2's decision as selfish; did he just hang on, letting the duties of the office come to a standstill? (Why? Just because he's the ultimate celebrity?) But when you consider the sacrament of orders, it changes things. JP2 was commanded to perform a mission, and it was because he was trying to perform that mission that his persistence becomes particularly noble.
On the other hand, Benedict's stated reason for resigning is also based on the mission. He doesn't think he's got the strength to do what the mission requires.
Is there one right answer, or can we accept both? Or is it two sides of the same coin? I accept both.
Jun '10
Re: The Pope Got It Wrong
katievs:
...
If the office were canonically an office "till death", Jody's point would make sense. As it is, it doesn't. At least not to me. The Pope isn't going to cease being a highly valuedpersonjust because he's no longer Pope. He's only going to cease exercising an extremely demanding office, which he himself is confident would be better exercised by someone else.
The next Pope may very well choose differently. He may follow the precedent set by John Paul, if he judges that better for the Church. Why should he feel bound by Benedict's example, any more than Benedict has felt bound by John Paul's?
And since the grace to exercise the office well and rightly is a charism of the office itself, why would anyone standing outside imagine he's in a better position to judge than the man who holds it—especially when that man is a man of such deep wisdom and manifest holiness?
I simply cannot improve on this -- you say everything that needs to be said. Let me only add my emphasis to it.
Jun '10
Re: The Pope Got It Wrong
katievs
To #2: I really don't think popes are susceptible to pressure of that kind—at least not more than they are susceptible to other evils, like assassination, or treachery. · 1 hour ago
I tend to agree, that's why I said "feared" pressure. I for one don't see why a Pope would or should care about a bunch of editorial writers clamoring for his resignation, but other people (i.e. Peter) seem worried about it. And I don't like to see Peter so worried...
So you don't like my pros, but what are the cons? What is the down side to popes retiring at a set age? Why shouldn't they get to retire after a long life of service to the Church?
Oct '12
Re: The Pope Got It Wrong
Kierkegaard7
With Christian charity, this is where we must respectfully disagree. The priesthood exists because division of labor is a fact of life (as St. Paul makes clear in I Corinthians 12), not because ontological change is conferred at ordination. We need no mediator to stand before the Lord...
I think you miss the real point of your disagreement with Catholics. When Mama Toad writes "The Church is the Body of Christ..." she is not offering her personal take on Christianity but the Church's authoritative self-understanding to which she has submitted. Offering your personal take on the priesthood as an alternative misses the point, unless you are claiming a rival authority to the Church (which would certainly be ironic given your namesake's insistence that he wrote without authority). Your real difference with Catholics is not that you disagree on this or that doctrine, but that you take for yourself the authority to define a personal version of Christianity, and a Catholic doesn't.
Re: The Pope Got It Wrong
This makes sense to me, too. We might easily enough suppose that the pope's physicians have told him that as a result of modern medical technology he can expect to live another five to ten years--even though he already has a pacemaker, has grown unsteady on his feet, is often fatigued, and on and on. Five to ten years in which he would prove entirely capable of prayer and studies, but entirely incapable of ruling a worldwide church.
Re: The Pope Got It Wrong
I hereby invoke my privileges as a founder of this happy site, John, to invite you to write that essay, and at whatever length you like.
Peter Thiel, among others, is funding "life-extension research," if I have the term of art right, and since Peter is a friend--I've known him since he was a poor student, which is a long time ago now--I've given the matter some thought. But never for a moment have I been able to get past the idea that having a lot of people wandering around who are well into their one hundreds would be just plain creepy.
If you could de-creep the idea, John, I'm sure the Ricochetti would all join me in feeling grateful.
May '10
Re: The Pope Got It Wrong
Only on Ricochet will you find a discussion between Kierkegaard and one of his pseudonyms.
Re: The Pope Got It Wrong
"The doctrine of papal infallibility, be it noted, holds that the Holy Spirit prevents a pope from error only when he pronounces, very formally, and in compliance with a long series of strict conditions, on matters of faith and morals…"
Whose conditions? Man's? And if the Holy Spirit chooses to operate outside of those strict conditions? I'm not Catholic, being almost genetically wedded to Protestant rebelliousness, but it strikes me as at least plausible that; A) the Holy Spirit showed us, through John Paul II, the ministerial and redemptive grace through suffering in the cause of Christ (wherein we take up our cross and follow Him), and, B) that same Holy Spirit is teaching us, through Benedict, the strength of faith and humility of character required to put aside high office, accept the limitations of our physical temple and follow Him, praying as we are taught in the gospel of Luke, "…not my will, but Thine, be done." It doesn't seem to me, at least, that these lessons are contradictory, and I give prayerful and happy thanks for the faith and example of these good and holy men.
May '10
Re: The Pope Got It Wrong
Joseph Stanko
So you don't like my pros, but what are the cons? What is the down side to popes retiring at a set age? Why shouldn't they get to retire after a long life of service to the Church?
I don't see human beings putting terms on the Vicar of Christ.
It seems to me that when a man is elected pope, he belongs to God and to the Church in a highly unique fashion. It's not a job, but a sacred post, and a trust.
The pope (plainly) may determine that he ought to resign. But the sole criterion should be what he prayerfully judges to be best for the Church.
May '10
Re: The Pope Got It Wrong
Dave Carter:"The doctrine of papal infallibility, be it noted, holds that the Holy Spirit prevents a pope from error only when he pronounces, very formally, and in compliance with a long series of strict conditions, on matters of faith and morals…"
Whose conditions? Man's? And if the Holy Spirit chooses to operate outside of those strict conditions?
Those are the conditions by which the faithful can have confidence that the teaching comes from God, and not from men merely. It's a minimalizing principle. It comes straight out of Acts 15:28, where we find first proto-Vatican Council: "In order not to burden you unnecessarily..."
But the conditions that limit the pope certainly don't limit the Holy Spirit, who is constantly at work redeeming the world and purifying hearts in and outside the Church.
And I think you're exactly right to recognize the same Spirit manifesting Himself in different ways through these two great men of faith.
May He similarly guide the next Pope!
Edited on February 17, 2013 at 3:46amRe: The Pope Got It Wrong
katievs
Dave Carter:"The doctrine of papal infallibility, be it noted, holds that the Holy Spirit prevents a pope from error only when he pronounces, very formally, and in compliance with a long series of strict conditions, on matters of faith and morals…"
Whose conditions? Man's? And if the Holy Spirit chooses to operate outside of those strict conditions?
Those are the conditions by which the faithful can have confidence that the teaching comes from God, and not from men merely. It's a minimalizing principle. It comes straight out of Acts 15:28, where we find first proto-Vatican Council: "In order not to burden you unnecessarily..."
But the conditions that limit the pope certainly don't limit the Holy Spirit, who is constantly at work redeeming the world and purifying hearts in and outside the Church. ...
Thank you for explaining that, Katievs. I very much appreciate it.
May '10
Re: The Pope Got It Wrong
Robert Moynihan of Inside the Vatican has just emailed his list with the news that we will likely learn today (Sunday) the date for the beginning of the Conclave. Many are predicting it will be Sunday, March 10th, Laetare Sunday. (It means "rejoicing Sunday"—because we are halfway through Lent to Easter.) Here is the collect for that day's Mass.
Does it not seem divinely arranged?
Let not your heart be troubled, dear Peter.
Edited on February 17, 2013 at 3:58amAug '11
Re: The Pope Got It Wrong
Benedict saw what happened when JP2 checked out of the decision-making, and we all know now what he thought of it. Frankly, I don't need a pope to teach me how to die. I know plenty of others who have done that already. I need a pope that will run the church well, and the last five years of JP2 were a lesson in how not to do that. Benedict learned it well.
Jun '12
Re: The Pope Got It Wrong
It is somewhat disquieting simply due to its almost unprecedented nature. But as others have said, BXVI is simply a phenomenal man of God. I have utter faith in his prudence and discernment in this matter.
Dec '12
Re: The Pope Got It Wrong
Joseph Stanko
I don't think managing a complex and unruly bureaucracy was ever Benedict's strong suit even in his prime.
Well, that's debatable I would say. In 1981, he became Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and did a very good job with a most difficult assignment.