Two years ago, history was made and we were all there to bear witness. The last time this event took place for health reasons was in 1294 when Celestine V resigned. In fact, the great poet, Dante Allegheri was so angry that he sent him to Hell in "The Inferno". In the 720 years since, no pope has taken the name Celestine.
In 1415, Pope Gregory XII resigned in order to resolve a Great Schism which was damaging the Church. At that point, three papacies existed which almost destroyed the political structure of the Church and divided the loyalties of the people.
This time, there was no clandestine or political reason for Benedict to resign. Instead, while not specifically discussed, perhaps he felt his predecessor, St John Paul, stayed on longer than he should have, especially since he suffered from Parkinson's Disease and other ailments at the end. In turn, this forced the Curia, in its own corrupt way, to run the Church without regard to the wishes or the control of the Pope.
While I was not a fan of Benedict, I believe this action by him probably saved the Church from yet another debilitating stagnation and breakdown, which could have destroyed the very foundation of the Church. For example, the Vatican Bank was out of control, much like it was in the 70s when Paul VI was in failing health and the Church was still reeling from the clergy scandals which began to come to light in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
From this abdication, the Church was able recover under the auspices of Francis, who in two years has jump-started the Church, to leap finally into the 20th Century, to make needed giant steps, which was the goal of St John XXIII and his Ecumenical Council.
Because Benedict left, and has lived in obscurity without interfering with Francis, the current Pope has been able to open the windows and let in the fresh, sweet air John prayed for.
Since Francis, who is from Argentina, was not influenced by the politics of Europe or the European Church, he has been able to welcome back divorced and gay Catholics, has turned a blind eye on birth control, has inspired people to at least consider a return to a more modern ideal Church which is trying to understand a 21st Century world.
Francis is a young 78 years old man, having celebrated this birthday in December. But, his ideas are even younger as he envisions continued earth-shattering changes in the Church, to finally drag it into the 21st Century, albeit kicking and screaming like a spoiled child which has always worked at its own pace.
If you recall, I wrote a commentary in March, 2013 called Art, Life & the Papacy where I said the 21st Century Church needed a healer. Well, we have one in Francis, all because his predecessor recognized change was needed and he was not the one to lead the way.
For that, in years to come, Benedict XVI will be revered by the Church for abdicating at a critical time and allowing his successor to run in overdrive without interference. In my opinion, this was the act of a saint who sacrificed his ego for the greater good and the love of his Church. Not too many would be as willing.
Thank you, Benedict, AKA Josef Ratzinger. You chose your name well, as one "who says good things". Your Church is grateful for your sacrifice, your vision and your faith. Your action has proven to be the greatest ideal of all.
Your resignation truly made an impact. Amen. And THANK YOU!
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