POPE BENEDICT XVI RESIGNS

Benedict XVI: Soon to be ex-Pontiff. (Guardian.co.uk)

At a time when the Catholic Church is divided over various controversies such as corruption in the Vatican, sex abuse by priests, and their waning influence in the modern world, another shocker from the Vatican took us by surprise today—Pope Benedict XVI will resign on February 28 this year.

"The Pope announced that he will leave his ministry at 8:00 pm (1900 GMT) on February 28," said Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesperson who announced the news.

The Pope cited health reasons for stepping down. In an official message, he said, "After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry.” He added that he has recognized his "incapacity to adequately fulfill" the ministry entrusted to him.

Benedict XVI, now 85 years old, is one of the oldest Pontiffs to be elected. He was 78 when he ascended to the Papacy in 2005 following the death of Pope John Paul II.

Below is the full text of Benedict XVI's resignation letter:

Dear Brothers,

I have convoked you to this Consistory, not only for the three canonizations, but also to communicate to you a decision of great importance for the life of the Church. After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry. I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering. However, in today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me. For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is.

Dear Brothers, I thank you most sincerely for all the love and work with which you have supported me in my ministry and I ask pardon for all my defects. And now, let us entrust the Holy Church to the care of Our Supreme Pastor, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and implore his holy Mother Mary, so that she may assist the Cardinal Fathers with her maternal solicitude, in electing a new Supreme Pontiff. With regard to myself, I wish to also devotedly serve the Holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer.

From the Vatican, 10 February 2013

BENEDICTUS PP XVI

An Act of Humility

The Pope’s resignation is a sign of his humility and concern over his ability to fulfill his duties. With the Catholic Church facing a variety of challenges and scandals, the Pontiff must have realized that the Church needed a stronger and more able leader to guide them in dark times.

In part, his resignation is also an admission of the Church’s waning influence in these modern times; hence his stepping aside and his call for a successor who can be in touch with the modern society and help re-establish the Church’s integrity and influence.

A pope can resign?

The news of the Pope’s resignation came as a shocker as it is not common knowledge that Pontiffs can resign. The Vatican’s Code of Canon Law, however, allows a Pope to resign as per Rule 332.2 which states that:

"If it happens that the Roman Pontiff resigns his office, it is required for validity that the resignation is made freely and properly manifested but not that it is accepted by anyone."

What makes Pope Benedict’s resignation even more of a shocker is the fact that no pope has resigned since the Middle Ages. History has recorded at least four to six popes to have resigned, most notably Pope Gregory XII, who resigned in 1415 to end the Western Schism. His resignation ended the gridlock between three popes (including Gregory XII) vying for papal recognition. Other popes known to have resigned are Pontian in the year 235, Silverius in 537, and Celestine V in 1294. However, Benedict XVI will be the first to resign over health reasons.

Tagle: The Next Pontiff?

Conclave in 2013

The Vatican announced that a conclave will be convened in March to begin the selection for a new pope. Notable contenders for the position have been circulating from some time now, including Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarsicio Bertone, Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson (President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace), Archbishop of Milan Cardinal Angelo Scola, and even our very own Archbishop of Manila Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle.

Many progressive Catholics are looking forward to the election of a more liberal pope contrary to the traditionalist stance of Pope Benedict XVI. Meanwhile, conservative Catholics are calling for the election of a pope that will revive traditional Catholic teachings and restore the Church’s glory in these modern times. Whatever our expectations and the outcomes will be, we are all fortunate to be witnessing another conclave in our generation. TSS

STATE OF GRACE

Photo from SkyscraperCity

I'm walking fast through the traffic lights

busy streets and busy lives

and all we know, is touch and go

Touch and go. This could well be the theme for 2012. I've touched base with different faces and places in different lengths and circumstances. All of them changed my life in some grand or minute way. If I mattered to them is a whole different story, which doesn't matter anymore.

Because in the end, tears have been cried, hearts have been hurt, scars have dried and faded. Soon a fresh start, a clean slate is miraculously served in front of you and there’s no way you can refuse it. After all, nothing good ever escapes.

So here I am feasting on a heaping plate of changes, feeling full and happy with how I started the year. Despite the state of singularity I am in, I am in a state of grace with all the gifts God rained down even before the year began. This is what happens when you don’t bring an umbrella in the midst of an abundance of rain from the Divine.

WHAT'S ON MY PLATE ANYWAY?

1. NEW JOURNAL

As if I can’t get enough of blogging, I purchased a new leather-bound diary to jot down my most private of thoughts as well as my daily routines. When life seems like a crazy spiral, it pays to have routines.

2. NEW FITNESS ROUTINE

After being diagnosed as hypertensive and having hypertrophy back in October, I decided to start jogging in the mornings at a nearby cemetery. On some days, I would walk the big dogs of my friend Jonathan Samar and jog around my former school, Woodridge College. We normally end the routine with stretching and crunches in the school gym. On Saturdays, Jonathan and I, together with other friends Nolette Garcia and Ernie Sumayod, would play badminton (and I’m getting good at it!).

3. REAWAKENED SPIRITUALITY

Thanks to my good friend (and president/chairperson emeritus of my fans’ club) Bella Bardollas, I met a wonderful community of Catholic Christians who changed the way I looked at Catholicism. The Feast @ Bonifacio Global City, led by its builder Bro. George Gabriel, has worship services every Saturday from starting 4 p.m. at the Topshelf of Fully Booked in Bonifacio High Street.

4. SORTED FINANCES

Since I ain’t spending my money anymore on laptop bags that get thrown out of a moving vehicle or trips that don’t even get recalled or valued, I decided to make the most out of it. I adopted a new budget policy and devoted myself in itemizing and reducing my expenses. I also joined a “paluwagan” with my badminton friends, the proceeds of which I plan to save in a bank account. I am now thinking on investing the money I will save in property or stocks.

5. IMPROVED FASHION SENSE

Hey, I’m single and ready to mingle. What better way to attract the next (and perhaps, last) great love of my life than by sporting some new, fashionable attire and hairstyle? And with some great advice from my lady friends at work, I got a lot of pointers in personality development that could perhaps reel in the type of lady I really want to be with at this stage (and coming stages) of my life.

All these are works in progress. Just as Maynilad caused a lot of painstakingly slow traffic for quite some time in the streets of Bacoor or Las Piñas City, the changes I am experiencing right now are an exercise in discipline, determination, endurance, and loyalty. I’m sure someone out there can’t wait for me to give up soon; but no: This is a state of grace. This is the worthwhile fight.

And so while I ain’t perfect, I’m in this fight with all I got. There’s no certainty even obscurity in it—just the invisible hand of change which we can look always look forward to with cautious optimism. As long I am in a state of grace, nourished by the constantly stocked warehouse of God, I live, I’ll grow, and I'll forever be grateful for each day of my life. TSS

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"Be not afraid of going slowly, be afraid only of standing still." - Chinese proverb