Thank You B16

There are many expressing their thoughts on the decision of Pope Benedict XVI to step down form the papacy. Some who have insights worth reading and contemplating, however others who don't know what they're talking about.

The latter have expressed their vile thoughts in a very disrespectful manner showing their hostility of the church itself by their criticisms of B16 upholding of the teachings of Christ's church. Those I can readily ignore.

It's others with unknowledegable opinions of what they describe as a failed Papacy due to some kind of mistake in the selection process. One such article I read today came from an unlikely source, Fox News by John Moody entitled As Vatican leader Pope Benedict never had a chance which told of a papacy doom to failure from the outset.

Mr. Moody says "Benedict XVI faced an insurmountable problem: He was not John Paul II". Mr. Moody obviously doesn't know the accomplishments of B16.

Mr. Moody a writer of a Bio on the late Great John Paul II, obviously has a soft spot for the predecessor of Pope Benedict and rightfully so.As one of the longest papacy's JPII had much time to tend to his flock and he did it very well with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. No argument there.

However, to doom the reign of Pope Benedict as "never had a chance" is ignorance of the last past 7 years of church history.

First, 7 years of B16 compared to 26 years of JPII isn't exactly a fair comparison. JPII began his Papacy at the young age of 58. He was the youngest pope to be elected in 132 years. B16 was 78 years old when he was elected and he's 85 now. JPII was 84 when he died.

While JPII was a prolific writer  with many encyclicals from his pen, one can't deny the deep intellect portrayed in the writings of B16. I just finished Jesus the Infancy Narratives this past advent. His other two books entitled Jesus are so packed with information I'm still going thru them. 

Though not as numerous, the encyclicals penned by B16 are a treasure. One of my favorites is Caritas en Veritate (charity in truth). Here's a site with his writings.

Yes I'm saddened by his decision to step down and trust in the guidance of the Holy Spirit at this time is what we need to look to. We must not overlook the contributions of Pope Benedict in these trying times. He's sense of orthodoxy has kept the church from sailing against the rocks. With the push of the secular world to have the church change it's course by tossing overboard its teachings on life at conception, marriage between one man and one woman, a return to the sacredness of the mass to name a few, without the acknowledgement of just a few of the successes of this papacy is true ignorance of of this great leader.

Benedict didn't accept the papacy with competition in mind, to out do he's predecessors, he entered it begrudgingly, realizing the need for his leadership and willing to sacrifice of himself to the need of the church. He clearly stated at the beginning of his papacy that he fully expected to retire his previous Vatican post and spend his remaining time writing and studying.

He is sacrificing once again, fully knowledgeable of the fact that this decision may not be what others may want but what, through much prayer and contemplation as he put it, for the better of the church.

Thank you Pope Benedict for your service. Well done most faithful servant..