Just listening to the surprising news that Benedict XVI is to resign at the end of this month.
Although commentators will be very quick to say that there is precedent (though 600 years old) for this and it's always been an option in Canon Law, this is a very progressive step. As they statement says "both strength in body and mind is necessary" for the job. Nobody wants to see the long deterioration before death we saw with John Paul II and Paul VI.
This is a good thing, and it's very much a case 'of only Nixon could go to China'
My prayers are with him for a peaceful retirement.
The Pope's statement to the Cardinals in Consistory:-
I have convoked you to this Consistory, not only for the three canonisations,
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 recognise 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
The shortlist for the Nebula Awards 2012 has been announced. The Nebulas are one of the oldest and best-respected awards in the Science Fiction world, and the roll-call of past winners is that of the greatest in the genre.
