To wonder if there's more to the Popes resignation than meets the eye?

[KenAdams]

The lack of notice just seems somewhat odd.

[detoxlatte]

I think the words he chose are very significant. He refers to his conscience, and to "strength of mind".

Dementia, or another age-related illness would be adequately, and arguably less embarrassingly, covered by "strength of...body".

There would also be no need for any reference to his consicence. It would not be a matter for one's conscience as a Pope, I think, to resign due to ill health. He could quite justifiably refer to this being, for example, a sensible decision in the best interests of the Church.

I think this is a considered, moral and political decision. He no longer has the mental energy to deal with everything a Pope, and/or specidically he must deal with in the 21st century.

Whether this is because of his personal history or the Church's history we will probably never know.

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

TCOB - fair enough, and I do take your point.

But you are wrong and arrogant to assume other people are ignorant and you telling us that membership was compulsory will suddenly solve the debate. We all know that. Some people still believe what he did wasn't compatible with being the leader of a Church that claims to be a moral centre. You may disagree - fine. I'm sorry but I keep my sympathy for people who were victims.

[IThinkOfHappyWhenIThinkOfYou]

The timing makes me think he might actually be gravely ill. I don't rate him as a pope, in fact I cried when he was elected, but I don't wish him dead. I just think if you were going to live until Easter then you would stay.

[babanouche]

Wouldn't it be great if they just shut up shop altogether.

[bellejar]

TCOB my 14 year old Great Aunt was desperate to join the Hitler Youth because she really liked their uniform. It was the fashionable thing to do. She was furious with her parents for refusing to let her. They wouldn't because they were Jewish. True story. Teenagers, heh?

[ThePathanKhansAmnesiac]

Well according to St Malachy, the next papa will be the last.
I never warmed to Benedict, too intellectual and conservative.
Paddy Power betting is on a Canadian cardinal, I,d like to see a black Pope.

[Astley]

LDR. The Pope never actually went to a single meeting. He was automatically enroled. Now he has stepped down I hope people will have the decency to leave him alone.

[Astley]

Oh and if you keep your sympathyfor victims. Then you should know the Holy Fathers cousin, who had Downs Syndrome, was murdered by the Nazis. So he and his family are victims too.

[Sallyingforth]

I vote Father Ted for pope. He'd make a good one.

[babyicebean]

The last Pope to resign was Gregory the 12th in 1415 all to do with a leadership crisis - I didnt think the pope was allowed to hand in his notice but according to Canon Law he can. It wasnt overly clear who he gives his notice to as there is no one higher up the chain.

[maycontaintracesofhorse]

Composhat
Plasterers radio......that is the funniest thing i have read so far this year..!

[IneedAsockamnesty]

Babyice,

Hmmm god.

[prudencesmom]

ComposHat you are brilliant!!!
I totally agree with you!!!
Please post more on MN!!!!
babanouche yes its definitely time to shut the little big shop of horrors!

[ComposHat]

aw thanks prudencesmum I will try!

[FairPhyllis]

Word in the RC hood around here is that he has had a series of strokes. He may be worried about the scenario of having severe brain damage and being unable to function at all, so has decided to spare the Church that possibility.

[EllieArroway]

Much as I detest Ratzinger and everything he stands for, the Hitler Youth thing is a red herring. He was a child & it was not optional like the Scouts. You can't choose to opt out of something that is/was compulsory (er, it wouldn't be "compulsory" if you could ) - and it's likely that either he or his family would have paid a very high price if he'd tried to.

I'd love to believe this was all to do with some new information about his active shielding of paedophile priests or something, but I doubt it. It probably is due to ill health.

How nice if the church could now elect someone whose mind is not stuck in the 13th century. Won't be holding my breath though since that is the very definition of "Catholic" to me.

[AKissIsNotAContract]

compo your posts on here are supreme. Have you seen this? I love the typo/deliberate mistake in the last line.

[seeker]

The hitler youth thing is a red herring, and should probably be ignored. The systematic covering up of child abuse, the refusal to allow the use of condoms to prevent sexually transmitted diseases in sub Saharan Africa, the outrageous views on homosexuality and the position of women in society, on the other hand......

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

I don't think anything should be 'ignored'. I think this attitude of 'ooh, how dare you even mention it, leave him alone, he's so holy' is very damaging and frankly creepy.

We are entitled to discuss what he's done in his life. That includes all sorts of things that, to be honest, are questionable. If the attitude were that he was deeply sorry and trying to make up for bad things, I would respect him, but to me, it doesn't seem that way.

I am not anti-Catholic, I think there have been genuinely holy popes who were also men I would respect very much, but I do not feel he's one of them. And I think this outrage at the idea of anyone discussing the pope's moral status is really disgusting.

[therugratref]

What seeker said...And LRD... and composhat- I think I love you.

[Astley]

So basically, you will forever condemn a man for something he couldn't control as a child.

Wow, LRD, you come across as such a lovely person

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

That's unnecessary and OTT.

If you read my posts, I am merely saying I think it should be acceptable to discuss these things without scornful remarks and a tedious insistance that the Pope is beyond criticism.

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

Although, I am fascinated to hear how your views about the unfairness of condemning people for things they can control and were born with, fits in with the Vatican's stance on homosexuality, please?

[Astley]

And lets not forget 'he who is without sin may cast the first stone',so if your life has been blameless go ahead. If not, I don't really feel I would ever need to take a criticism of being 'creepy' for defending someone who has never committed a crime, taken a human life etc. A man who has done his absolute best for something, he, and a great many people actually believe in.