Newest evidence of Global Warming: First Pope to resign in 600 years.

BobMbx on February 11, 2013 at 3:46 PM

First, the asteroids…and now this!

Damn globull warming!

“It’s going to be a watershed moment for the Catholic Church. Where do they go?” asked Mike Barnicle. “Do they go right? The pope took the church even more to the right. Or do they come back toward the middle with the American church in their minds?”

The problem with Barnicle and the others is that the majority of church going Catholics, not Catholics in name only, are far more conservative and orthodox than he is willing to admit. To the degree that there are still left leaning clergy and parishoners they are Barnicle’s age and older and are dying off quickly. Even if the selection of the new Pope were somehow predicated on appeasing the American Church, which it is not, the proper choice would be a carbon copy of B16.

“It’s going to be a watershed moment for the Catholic Church. Where do they go?” asked Mike Barnicle. “Do they go right? The pope took the church even more to the right. Or do they come back toward the middle with the American church in their minds?”

It’s like listening to New Yorkers talk about the ascendant presidential prospects of their Governors, Senators, and Mayors.

Usually they’re known for how long they drag out before we see the puff of white smoke.

Ed Morrissey on February 11, 2013 at 3:44 PM

I hate smokers who take deep drags.

His resignation right in the middle of the Lenten-soon to be-Easter season.. He must really not being doing that well physically.

Static21 on February 11, 2013 at 4:27 PM

He may believe it’s more mental. Yes, Maudy Thursday to Easter Sunday is very physically demanding for an 85 year old Pontiff. However, my view of how Benedict XVI views his duty as Pope is that his physical health can be offered as a sacrifice. If not physically being up for the job was his only consideration, especially during the Lenten season, I believe he would push on. This is why I believe his view of his ill health is more mental than physical.

On an offtopic but still related note: Considering Islam’s push into Africa, wouldn’t it make sense for them to appoint an African? Imagine a pro life black Pope.

Daemonocracy on February 11, 2013 at 2:48 PM

Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana – very pro life, even more he is quite alarmed at Islam in Europe, I can just hear msm talking heads discussing that rationally. He is only 64, quite young – well before the mandatory retirement age for a priest of 72.

Cardinal Francis Arinze of Nigeria – also quite pro life — possible even more conservative (to the American medias way of looking at Cardinals) then Joseph Ratzinger was at his elevation. His big drawback is that he is 80 years old.

Popes defend doctrines — they don’t rewrite them. Truth doesn’t change with fashion.

That’s the point that many media outlets will miss in the next few weeks — not out of malice necessarily, but just from unfamiliarity and a constricted context.

That’s the same point that eludes so-called “progressives” on any faith: the fundamental truth of nearly any religion is that the religion is true. That’s not something that changes to fit a cultural shift or the recommendations of a panel of commentators.

On an offtopic but still related note: Considering Islam’s push into Africa, wouldn’t it make sense for them to appoint an African? Imagine a pro life black Pope.

Daemonocracy on February 11, 2013 at 2:48 PM

Sure, if it can be a lesbian handicapped selection too. Hope that u just forgot /

Sgt Steve on February 11, 2013 at 3:42 PM

Usually they’re known for how long they drag out before we see the puff of white smoke.

Not a lot of Catholics in the lsm i see

cmsinaz on February 11, 2013 at 3:41 PM

Don’t you know? They’re ALL Catholics (just ask them). So, they have the cover to be able to pontificate above the Pope.

I can’t wait to find out what Toure thinks!

myiq2xu on February 11, 2013 at 3:39 PM

OK, I laughed.

The issue for the College of Cardinals won’t be whether to move the Church Left or Right;

I wonder if God is right or left?

If only we had a President with that much integrity and humility to be able to admit he can’t handle the job……

Video: Morning Joe mulls the politics of pontifical resignations

Credentialed not educated, seeing the world as they want it to be, not as it is.

Why do we pay them any attention?

The news here is that there is a potential precedent set for Papal resignation due to advancing lifespans and declining health. Past resignations were political measures. Gregory XII resigned in 1415 as part of the compromise to reunite the split church under Martin V in the wake of the Western Schism. Celestine V’s resignation was considered the “Great Refusal” by Dante, of a man who pretty much told the world he wasn’t up to the task.

Today we have a Pope that took on the challenge, succeeded, but understands Celestine’s humility though without the cowardice in deferring the responsibilities to one more physically able. It’s a precedent that makes such an act not a refusal, or political compromise, but a practical decision based on the travel-heavy nature of the office since John Paul II.

If the media or any honest historian wants to understand the development of the Papacy as related to this resignation, then there is the place to look… When it comes to the Papacy, legacies and actions interact and establish themselves on a timeframe of decades, showing the overall narrative of centuries. Alas all that doesn’t necessarily advocate leftist policy as much as wishcasting for a Pope Obama does, so fat chance they’ll open their eyes and see.

As for who does come next, Benedict XVI was/is a great man and Pope. I very much admire him and sincerely hope that another in his mold is chosen.

But I’m sure the question will be raised.

That’s not a sign of disrespect or intentional demeaning of the role of the Pope

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No,of course not,Ed.
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*sigh*
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Forever assigning benign intentions and motives to the people who are out to destroy you.