Melbourne Archbishop Believes Pope Hinted at Resignation Last Month
NEWS.com.au
A MELBOURNE priest claims the extra strain placed on Pope Benedict from dealing with widespread sexual abuse within the Catholic Church may have been a factor in his resignation. Father Max Vodola said the elderly Pope's shock exit from the role may be because he is too physically and emotionally weak to deal with the decades-old problem. It comes as Archbishop of Melbourne Denis Hart leads Victorian tributes to the Pope, who he believes hinted at resigning during a meeting last month. "He said 'I'm too old I want to step back from the job because the role is so demanding'," Archbishop Hart said. "He won’t just vanish off the scene but will spend his life praying for the church and asking God to be with us in all that we do." Meanwhile, Father Vodola said “trying to correct the errors that went as far back as 50 years would be an immense shame and embarrassment, and would require the right protocols in place to deal with it.” “This may have been one contributing factor in his resignation if he doesn’t have the energy to deal with this on a level … it would be very difficult.”
Father Vodola, a church historian who leads St Brendan's Catholic Church in Flemington, said people felt the Vatican had been slow to address paedophilia in the church. “There may be some that welcome the news of the Pope resigning because they hope the new one will deal with this issue more speedily.” Father Vodola said the Pope had made a deliberate effort to engage with the issue of paedophilia in the church and discuss it publicly. “On numerous occasions, Pope Benedict has spoken about the church’s shame and horror and he has apologised to victims of clerical sexual abuse more than others,” he said. “I can understand the hurt that victims' groups must feel and that they sense their expectations have not been met. “But for some victims' groups they feel like an apology is not enough and they would like to see a particular course of action.” “This hasn’t happened for 700 years, we are used to Popes staying in the role until they die." While he said that he could not speculate who the new Pope will be, Father Vodola said that the Pope must have felt he did not have the physical and mental capabilities and energy to fulfil the role. Archbishop Hart said Pope Benedict's health was deteriorating and he appeared "thinner and more frail". The Pope had made a "momentous and courageous decision" that has not been made for 600 years, he said. "We wish him well and I have written to him... thanking for his goodness and his teaching." He said the new Pope would need to be able to encourage and guide people. "I’m sure the cardinals will choose the best person they can... to teach, guide and encourage people," he said. Archbishop Hart said that the next Pope had to be a man of faith, prayer and clarity of vision. When asked who the ideal candidate might be, the Archbishop waved off speculation that Australia's George Pell might be in the running. "I'm inclined to leave it up to the cardinals," he said. "It's not like a political election, I don't want to speculate." “He is unable to fulfil the heavy demands of office, and in full freedom, he will resign on February 28,” Archbishop Hart said. “Millions of Catholics are grateful for his holiness and teaching, and are encouraged by his gentle and loving service.” Archbishop Hart said after being elected in 2005, Pope Benedict dedicated himself to a lifetime of service as an “eminent theologian and teacher”. “As he retires to a life of prayer for the Church, we remember with gratitude and prayer his faithfulness to the call given him as Vicar of Christ and chief pastor of the universal church,” he said.
|
.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.