In response to recent events, there have been many reports that the sky is falling. Many have declared they are depressed by the resignation of Pope Benedict. Others are depressed at the resignation of Cardinal O'Brien, just yesterday.
Take a deep breath. Holy Mother Church has been around for 20 centuries, more or less. The hierarchy has been in place and structurally pretty much as now for 1700 years. Pope Benedict is our 266th pope.
Life goes on. The Church will prevail, even against the gates of Hell.
It is not a tragedy that Pope Benedict has resigned. Yes, I could surely wish for another eight years of his command at the helm, but it is not for me to determine his life. What I do know, beyond any doubt, is that Benedict is not a man who makes capricious decisions. His resignation has obviously been something over which he prayed at great length, and if he has resigned, I must trust in him, and in God above, that it is the right thing at this time.
That Card. O'Brien resigned is a blessing. First, because he removes himself from the Church, and thereby limits what damage he might do. Second, because in making a public confession of his sins, he has taken the first step toward the forgiveness he most assuredly needs.
As to the College of Cardinals and the coming election, we must all pray that the cardinals are guided by the Holy Spirit, and able to conclude the election soon, and give us another excellent pope.
Thank you for this. Sadness is not from God. What we are seeing is all in the plan of God. Personally, some people on line are over-reacting. I was not surprised on the Pope's resignation. However, just to clarify, Cardinal O'Brien did not say he was guilty, is denying the charges and only apologized for any general wrongs he had done.
ReplyDeleteThere is too much false reporting on this. I am in England.
May I add that those who are continually shocked have not been paying attention to the signs of the times which have been clear since Roe v. Wade.
God bless you.
PS may I add that the American Catholic Church is going to find itself increasingly isolated if there is not decent Catholic and unbiased news. I am shocked at the bad reports coming out of the States as well as how late it is.
ReplyDeleteI suppose EWTN cannot afford people on the ground in Europe, but that is where much is happening.
I never use American sources, except for LifeSiteNews which is superb and has passed up EWTN in news.
Supertradmum, thank you for the correction. I have now also seen news reports of his denial. I shall continue to think of his resignation as a blessing, if for no other reason than that he steps down while the charges are argued, rather than ramining in place longer, making his office a target for a longer time.
ReplyDeleteAlthough there are many who view these as dark days, I fear the day is not far off when we will think of these as better times. Attacks on our faith are increasing. Until the bishops stop making themselves vulnerable--not just through sex scandal, but through misguided alliances with secular powers--we can expect things to get worse.
I agree with you. I think that most Americans are either a bit naive or into total doom and gloom mentalities instead of that of a Church Militant.
DeleteWe cannot keep doing the same old thing.