Giovanna Chirri, a journalist who has covered the Vatican for twenty years, got the scoop of a lifetime when she was attending a consistory of cardinals. She explains that it consisted of liturgical and other things which the people would not be interested in. [Comment: Benedict in his last talk with the priests of Rome told the story of the Council from his point of view as an insider. He told the good priests that there was the Council of the Spirit and the Council of the Journalists. Is there any clearer indication that what interests the faithful in the pews and what interests the secular press is different?]
Suddenly the pope took a piece of paper and began reading in slow, clear Latin. Even some of the cardinals had trouble following what he had to say. [Comment: the state of the cardinals' Latin is not what it should be.] The journalists were lost. They had not been given an advanced text from which to write their stories. Ms. Chirri, in a semi panic, forced herself to remember her high school [gymnasium] Latin. As she came to realize what the pope was saying to the cardinals and as shock spread across their faces, she realized she was witnessing an event that had not occurred for hundreds of years: a pope was announcing his resignation.
Beachtung [warning]: the link taking you to the original story leads you to a German language website, online Focus.
Brigid of Kildare's Feast Was February 1st
Saint Brigid was an Irish Catholic nun, abbess, who founded
several convents who is venerated as a saint. Her feast day falls on
February 1, the first day of spring in Ireland. She was born in 453 AD
in Faughart near Dundalk, Co. Louth, Ireland to Dubhtach, a pagan
chieftain and Brocca, a Christian Pict who had been baptised by St.
Patrick. Brigid was inspired from an early age by the teachings of St.
Patrick. She received the veil from St. Mel and professed vows
dedicating herse3lf to Christ.
She later founded her first convent
at Clara, Co. Offaly but her major institution would be created in Co.
Kildare. Around 470 she founded Kildare Abbey, it became one of the most
prestigious monasteries throughout Christian Europe. She died at
Kildare in 525 and was interred in a tomb before the altar of her abbey
church. However, her remains were later exhumed and moved to Downpatrick
to rest with the other two patron saints of Ireland, Patrick and
Columcille. Her shrine became an object of veneration for pilgrims
especially on what was to become her feast day, February 1.
She is
famed for her cross which legend accounts that she designed when trying
to convert a dying man to Christianity. It remains tradition in many
homes in Ireland to this day to have a Saint Brigid's Cross to homour
the saint. According to custom a new cross is made every year on
February 1 and the old one is burned to protect the house from fire.
Russell Shortt is a travel consultant with Exploring Ireland, the
leading specialists in customised, private escorted tours, escorted
coach tours and independent self drive tours of Ireland.
I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome
The complete text of the announcement of the resignation by Benedict XVI
"The Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church"
Infallibility of the Pope
One of the main stumbling blocks in the ongoing Ecumenical Dialog
between Roman Catholic church and the Orthodox Churches is the primacy
of the bishop of Rome. Difference in view on this particular issue lies
in the way each sees the figure of the Pope and how he should exercise
his authority. Although endless discussions can be held to prove each
other prospective the real difference is not as crucial as one may see
it.
Pope as successor of Peter
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Parties on
either side side agree on this one. While there may have been some
discussions in the past over the nature of Peter's leadership among the
apostles, there are plenty of Biblical and historical evidence pointing
to the fact that Peter indeed was seen as the leader of the twelve, who
gave his live in martyrdom while leading the church of Rome.
Many
Orthodox object to this title since it reflects the nature of the
pope's jurisdiction. In the Orthodox church, while bishops and
patriarchs are united in faith each exercises his own authority over
their particular churches. Never the less this is is not irreconcilable
difference, since within the Catholic church there are Eastern Catholic
Churches that enjoy the same kind of jurisdiction and although united
with the Pope of Rome, these churches are governed by their local Synod
of Bishops and in cases the decisions made by these churches are sent to
the Pope of Rome to seek his consent which is slightly different from
asking permissions. "First Among Equals" is possible solution to
reconcile this difference.
The
doctrine of the papal infallibility was defined by the First Vatican
Council in 1870. While view of the Orthodox Church concerning the Pope's
infallibility may differ, it should be said that all orthodox church
are in agreement that the Holy Spirit will prevent the Church from
falling into error. Many Orthodox theologians agree that first seven
ecumenical councils. From this point of view theres room for common
ground between both views. While doctrine of Pope's infallibility
remains in force in the Roman Catholic church, it is exercised on rare
occasions and only in concern of major moral or theological teaching of
the Church.