Pope Benedict to Resign at End of Month

[Zaac]

Pope Benedict XVI in shock resignation

Pope Benedict XVI is to resign at the end of this month after nearly eight years as the head of the Catholic Church, saying he is too old to continue at the age of 85.

The unexpected development surprised governments, Vatican-watchers and even the 85-year-old's closest aides.

The Vatican says it expects a new Pope to be elected before the end of March, ahead of Easter.

Papal resignations are not unknown, but this is the first in the modern era.

The BBC's Alan Johnston in Rome says the news has come "out of the blue", and that there was no speculation whatsoever about the move in recent days.

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Start Quote

At this age my brother wants more rest”

Georg Ratzinger
Pope's brother
Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti is quoted as saying he was "greatly shaken by this unexpected news".

A Vatican spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi, said that even the Pope's closest aides did not know what he was planning to do and were left "incredulous". He added that the decision showed "great courage" and "determination".

The brother of the German-born Pope said the pontiff had been advised by his doctor not to take any more transatlantic trips and had been considering stepping down for months.

Talking from his home in Regensburg in Germany, Georg Ratzinger said his brother was having increasing difficulty walking and that his resignation was part of a "natural process".

He added: "His age is weighing on him. At this age my brother wants more rest."

Pope to resign

 

[preachinjesus]

He has been a good Pope. We've been fortunate to have two good leaders in the Papal Office over the past 34 years.

 

[Old Union Brother]

He has been a good Pope. We've been fortunate to have two good leaders in the Papal Office over the past 34 years.

Convince me that there is such a thing as a good Pope? How can we classify the leader of a pagan religion that is undeniably anti-Baptist good?

 

[salzer mtn]

When i heard this on the news this morning it made me wonder, by giving up his position will this cause Benedict to loose his front seat in hell ?

 

[thjplgvp]

According to Dante's Inferno he gets the last spot. LOL

 

[thjplgvp]

Finally, we see the hellish mockery of papal succession. Upon his arrival in Inferno, Nicholas pushed previous simoniac popes further into the hole ("Beneath my head are dragged all who have gone before . . ." [70] and will himself be forced deeper into the hole by the arrival of Boniface ("I too shall be plunged down when that great cheat / . . . comes here in his turn" [73-74]). Boniface, in like manner, will be driven lower by Clement V.

http://legacy.owensboro.kctcs.edu/crunyon/e261c/00-Intro&Syl/simoniacs.htm

 

[preachinjesus]

Though I'm probably a minority around here, I have no problem accepting that practicing Roman Catholics can be saved. As I've encountered their theology and immersed myself in what they actually believe as opposed to the charicatures that are presented by too many Protestants I find they have a basis for faith and belief.

Though we do disagree about many things, I still find brothers and sisters in Christ within the Catholic Church at the same ratio that I find brotheres and sisters in Christ in Protestant and evangelical churches.

Generally the only people who croon about individuals like Pope Benedict XVI enjoying a seat in hell are those who haven't read this theological statements. His description of faith in Christ relies on a biblical picture for its framing. I think Pope Benedict has been a good pontif and enjoys, as best I can tell, a relationship with Jesus Christ. One simply cannot read his works and not see a faith that sounds a lot like that which is reflected across many centuries and generations.

 

[Zaac]

Petrus Romanus, the rumored last Pope who will be "in office" when the Anti-Christ is revealed and Rome is destroyed is next.

Rumors are already circulating that the next Pope will be

Cardinal Peter Turkson. As Pope Benedict XVI said on Monday that he would resign on Feb. 28, citing poor health, speculation is already mounting about his potential replacement. And Cardinal Peter Turkson, the current president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, is rumored to be a potential option.

 

[Scarlett O.]

When i heard this on the news this morning it made me wonder, by giving up his position will this cause Benedict to loose his front seat in hell ?

I'm with preachinjesus. While I don't recognize the authority of a pope - in any manner - I'm not going to judge the spiritual status of anyone who claims to be a Christian unless I see otherwise in their life.

You are not the first person to say something like that, salzer mtn. There are quite a few Christians on the BB that believe that all Catholics are hell-bound and many Protestant who don't believe like they do.

That's for another thread, I guess.

 

[Crabtownboy]

When i heard this on the news this morning it made me wonder, by giving up his position will this cause Benedict to loose his front seat in hell ?

"Do not judge others, and you will not be judged.

Matthew 7:1

Yours was a very uncalled for, hateful reply. No I am not Catholic nor do I recognize the pope as having any spiritual authority.

To paraphrase:

Let him without sin cast the first accusation.

 

[Zaac]

Though I'm probably a minority around here, I have no problem accepting that practicing Roman Catholics can be saved. As I've encountered their theology and immersed myself in what they actually believe as opposed to the charicatures that are presented by too many Protestants I find they have a basis for faith and belief.

Though we do disagree about many things, I still find brothers and sisters in Christ within the Catholic Church at the same ratio that I find brotheres and sisters in Christ in Protestant and evangelical churches.

Generally the only people who croon about individuals like Pope Benedict XVI enjoying a seat in hell are those who haven't read this theological statements. His description of faith in Christ relies on a biblical picture for its framing. I think Pope Benedict has been a good pontif and enjoys, as best I can tell, a relationship with Jesus Christ. One simply cannot read his works and not see a faith that sounds a lot like that which is reflected across many centuries and generations.

I never like when folks are "happy" seemingly about folks going to hell. Folks on here expressed glee about the Newtown , CT killer "receiving justice and possibly getting what he deserved" too.

For sure there are Catholics who have trusted in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and the only way to the Father.

But folks on here need to start calling a spade a spade. Time is short and it's too short to let folks continue to believe that they can preach a works-centric theology and be on the way to spend eternity with Christ. It's unBiblical.

 

[preachinjesus]

Saying Catholics only believe in a "works based salvation" misses the point of their soteriology completely. Though I don't agree with their soteriology, we must not mischaracterize it so badly.

 

[Zaac]

Saying Catholics only believe in a "works based salvation" misses the point of their soteriology completely. Though I don't agree with their soteriology, we must not mischaracterize it so badly.

I didn't say that they only believe in a works based salvation.:flower:

 

[quantumfaith]

Though I'm probably a minority around here, I have no problem accepting that practicing Roman Catholics can be saved. As I've encountered their theology and immersed myself in what they actually believe as opposed to the charicatures that are presented by too many Protestants I find they have a basis for faith and belief.

Though we do disagree about many things, I still find brothers and sisters in Christ within the Catholic Church at the same ratio that I find brotheres and sisters in Christ in Protestant and evangelical churches.

Generally the only people who croon about individuals like Pope Benedict XVI enjoying a seat in hell are those who haven't read this theological statements. His description of faith in Christ relies on a biblical picture for its framing. I think Pope Benedict has been a good pontif and enjoys, as best I can tell, a relationship with Jesus Christ. One simply cannot read his works and not see a faith that sounds a lot like that which is reflected across many centuries and generations.

Agreed, the comments about "seats in hell" are totally uncalled for, uncouth and out of christian character and charity. Saddens me how easily some speak such pronouncements.

 

[quantumfaith]

I'm with preachinjesus. While I don't recognize the authority of a pope - in any manner - I'm not going to judge the spiritual status of anyone who claims to be a Christian unless I see otherwise in their life.

You are not the first person to say something like that, salzer mtn. There are quite a few Christians on the BB that believe that all Catholics are hell-bound and many Protestant who don't believe like they do.

That's for another thread, I guess.

:thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:

 

[preachinjesus]

I didn't say that they only believe in a works based salvation.:flower:

And you have read what encyclicals, which canons of Vatican II, which fathers of the Church, which congregational decretals?

 

[Gregory Perry Sr.]

A Good Pope?

He has been a good Pope. We've been fortunate to have two good leaders in the Papal Office over the past 34 years.

What an oxymoron...there is NO SUCH THING as a "good pope". It is a false "office" of a false and heretical religion. Completely unscriptural. The sad reality is that this blind leader of the blind is responsible (as the leader of the afore-mentioned false "church" or religion) for leading millions of dear souls down a path of false religion that will lead them straight to hell. They are the captives of our enemy, Satan. Wake up people...there is nothing GOOD, in the Biblical sense, about this man or his so-called church. Our Lord Jesus Christ has NOTHING to do with this man and He is NOT the so-called "Vicar" of our God or our Lord. Catholicism is bondage to the enemy and is in the spirit of the anti-christ.

Bro.Greg

 

[Zaac]

And you have read what encyclicals, which canons of Vatican II, which fathers of the Church, which congregational decretals?

Which ones so you want to know about? I make it my business to keep up with what's going on in the Catholic Church since I get to minister to lots of Catholics in the US and abroad.

 

[Old Union Brother]

I'm not saying that there are no christions in the RCC but I am saying that if there is then they should get out of it

Please read the following From ENCYCLICAL LETTER by POPE PIUS XI on THE CATHOLIC PRIESTHOOD an look at what I bolded.

Mediator Between God and Man
Finally, the Priest, in another way, follows the example of Christ. Of Him it is written that He "passed the whole night in the Prayer of God" (Cf. Luke, VI, 12.) and "ever lives to make intercession for us;" (Cf. Hebr., VII, 25.) and like Him, the Priest, is public and Official Intercessor of humanity before God; he has the duty and commission of offering to God in the name of the Church, over and above Sacrifice strictly so called, the "Sacrifice of Praise," in public and Official prayer; (Cf. Ps. XLIX, 14.) for several times each day, with Psalms, Prayers and Hymns taken in great part from the inspired books, he pays to God this dutiful tribute of adoration and thus performs his necessary Office of interceding for humanity. And never did humanity, in its afflictions, stand more in need of intercession and of the Divine help which it brings. Who can tell how many chastisements Priestly Prayer wards off from sinful mankind, how many Blessings it brings down and secures? If Our Lord made such magnificent and Solemn Promises even to private Prayers, (Cf. Matth., VII, 7-11; Mark, XI, 24; Luke, XI, 9-13.) how much more Powerful must be that Prayer which is said ex officio in the name of the Church, the beloved Spouse of the Savior? The Christian, though in prosperity so often forgetful of God, yet in the depth of his heart keeps his confidence in Prayer, feels that Prayer is all powerful, and as by a Holy instinct, in every distress, in every peril whether private or public, has recourse with special trust to the Prayers of the Priest. To it the unfortuante of every sort look for comfort; to it they have recourse, seeking Divine aid in all the vicissitudes of this exile here on earth. Truly does the "Priest occupy a place mid-way between God and human nature: from Him bringing to us absolving beneficence, offering our prayers to Him and appeasing the wrathful Lord." (Stl John Chrys., Homil. V in Isaiasm [Migne, P. G., 56, 131.].)

Isn't Christ the mediator between man and God?

 

[Zaac]

What an oxymoron...there is NO SUCH THING as a "good pope". It is a false "office" of a false and heretical religion. Completely unscriptural. The sad reality is that this blind leader of the blind is responsible (as the leader of the afore-mentioned false "church" or religion) for leading millions of dear souls down a path of false religion that will lead them straight to hell. They are the captives of our enemy, Satan. Wake up people...there is nothing GOOD, in the Biblical sense, about this man or his so-called church. Our Lord Jesus Christ has NOTHING to do with this man and He is NOT the so-called "Vicar" of our God or our Lord. Catholicism is bondage to the enemy and is in the spirit of the anti-christ.

Bro.Greg

I can only say that if he preaches the same unBiblical works based salvation as do so many other Catholic Priests, then I would tend to agree with Greg.