In a move that sent shockwaves around the world, Pope Benedict XVI announced his retirement from the papacy on Tuesday.
In a move that sent shockwaves around the world, Pope Benedict XVI announced his retirement from the papacy on Tuesday.
Brother Peter Wilson from St Patrick’s Cathedral in Grahamstown said he was shocked at the pontiff’s resignation, yet believed it illustrated his great character in stepping down from a position which he was unable to serve physically.
Peter highlighted the Pope’s numerous endeavours of reconciliation, most notably his visit to Auschwitz just after his election in 2005, as well as the many inspiring encyclicals he wrote.
He leaves behind “a great legacy”, Peter said. Cardinal Wilfred Napier of the Durban Diocese (and the most senior Catholic prelate in South Africa) admitted he was also shocked at the resignation and especially the timing of the pope’s decision to do so.
Yet he called the move “brave and courageous”, believing that Pope Benedict had done the right thing.
The 85-year old pontiff cited bad health and old age as reasons for his decision.
He will officially step down as the leader of the Roman Catholic Church on Thursday, 28 February. The Vatican announced that a new Pope will be elected before Easter.
A 117-strong nominating conclave of cardinals, of which Cardinal Napier is the only South African, will meet in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican next month to elect a new head of the 1.2 billion Catholics worldwide.
Possible candidates have already been mentioned and include African cardinals Peter Turkson from Ghana and Francis Arinze from Nigeria.
Born Josef Ratzinger, the German cardinal was elected Pope at the age of 78 – one of the oldest elected popes in history – and after almost eight years in office he becomes the first pontiff to resign in 600 years.
The decision surprised even his closest aides – the Vatican's official spokesman admitted to not knowing about his imminent resignation, but mentioned that the decision showed “great courage and determination”.
The reaction from many of the faithful was of genuine shock, disappointment and astonishment, especially as his decision came on the eve of Ash Wednesday, the day which marks the beginning of Lent, an important period in the Catholic Church prior to Easter.
Critics of the Vatican speculate the move was partly linked to increasing external pressures faced by the church, especially the sexual abuse scandals of children involving Catholic priests.
The Pope was also often criticised for being too conservative and taking hardline positions against homosexuality, women priests and contraception.
Pope Benedict has also been a strong advocate of continued abstinence by the clergy.
