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“IF IT SHOULD happen that the Roman Pontiff resigns his office, it is required for validity that he makes the resignation freely and that it be duly manifested, but not that it be accepted by anyone.”
That is the important passage of the Code of Canon Law (Canon 332, No. 2) which allowed for today’s papal resignation. As the Pope is the supreme authority in the Church, there is nobody to accept the decision or, indeed, to block it.
In his statement today, Pope Benedict made it clear he was “well aware of the seriousness” of the act, taking care of the “freely” requirement to ensure the validity of the move.
It seems the “duly manifested” extract from the law was interpreted by the pontifex as carrying it out in front of a number of cardinals at the Vatican to ensure against secrecy or ambiguity. Again thought, he is highest legislator so he can really interpret the law as he sees fit.
Although there is precedent, it is highly unusual for a pope not to remain in office until his death. The last time the pontifex resigned was almost 600 years ago in 1415.
So, the surprise and almost-immediate resignation of Pope Benedict XVI today has raised many questions.
Why do Popes abdicate?
In the long history of the Catholic church, six successors of St. Peter have stepped down from the top job.
Before his death, there were rumours and media speculation about the possibility of Pope John Paul II retiring because of old age and ill health but it never transpired.
He once told a doctor that there is no place in the Catholic Church for an emeritus pope. For what would an ex-pope do?
Therefore, Pope Benedict’s abdication marks the first for health reasons.
Historically, resigning the papal position has caused problems because a living pope could reclaim the title. It often led to scraps for power, challenges to authority and even imprisonment.
Pope St Pontian was the first to abdicate. He was elected in July 230 but during the persecution of Christians was exiled to Sardinia, condemned to work in the salt mines. As it was presume he would not survive, he resigned on 28 September 235.
After Pope Boniface VIII was elected, he imprisoned his predecessor Pope St Celestine V to ensure he would retain his seat. Celestine retired because he wanted to return to the monastery where he lived a hermit life. It is said that during his time as leader of the church, he was susceptible to interfering cardinals and nobility. His election came after two years of political fighting between cardinals, during which time the See remained empty.
His resignation set the most important precedent for Benedict XVI as he issued a solemn decree declaring it permissible for a Pope to resign.
The most recent resignation was Gregory XII in 1415. He was elected as the legitimate pope after a turbulent period in the Church’s history. At the time there were two anti-popes, supported by France and a renegade Council of Pisa. Finally, an agreement was reached for all three to resign or be deposed and a new head chosen.
Can a Pope be removed from his post?
It seems unlikely given what we’ve said already about his infallibility and supreme power, but the answer is yes.
A number of popes have been deposed. However, this mostly in the early days of the Church.
Both St Silverius in 536 and Pope St Martin I in 656 were forcibly deposed, exiled and martyred.
One of the most scandalous popes, Benedict IX agreed to resign (after holding the papacy on two previous, separate occasions) in May 1045 on receipt of money and a woman to marry. However, that deal soon fell apart, leading to the reclamation of the post from Pope Gregory VI. Eventually, both were deposed and Clement II chosen as the legitimate successor.
Pope Benedict XVI has said he will retire to a life dedicated to prayer now and “devotedly serve the Holy Church of God”, seemingly assuaging any fears that he could challenge his successor who will be chosen by the Sacred College of Cardinals next month.
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Mandela humbles us all with his dignity and courage. What a man.
Well said! RIP Nelson Mandela
I can no longer stand Obama and his predictable mush.
RIP Nelson Mandela
both charismatic
both presidents
both black
but only one of them murdered people with drones
The other used car bombs. RIP Nelson Mandela.
I don’t know, I think of Obama as more Hispanic
I’m taking Obamas comments with a pinch of salt. Speaking with two tongues it seems. Obama gave a 3.1bn military grant to Israel in 2013, aiding an apartheid regime in Israel & the oppression of Palestinian people, a people Mandela particularly thought highly off for their resistance & dedication.
idiot. what “apartheid”?
Nelson didn’t take sides in the conflict.
Firstly, Mandela was a strong supporter of Palestinian freedom. A famous quote from Nelson himself – “We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians.”
Secondly, your ignorance of the Palestinian & Arab blight in Israel & Palestine is shocking. Have a read of this article. You could learn a thing or two.
http://m.aljazeera.com/story/20121027145235386715
well the Arabs may have some issues but describing them as a “blight in Israel & Palestine” is going a bit far. It could be taken as a bit racist, and it IS their traditional homeland, at least part of it.
It does also show that a short quote out of context can mean whatever you want it to mean :)
al jazeera, hey? no axe to grind on their part, I’m sure.
Meant the blight of the Arab & Palestinian people, it’s late you know lol. Its pretty hard to take Mandelas quote out of context, very blunt & straight to the point.
Read the article. Regardless of the source, it’s factual based, as one would say, you can’t twist facts.
I assumed you meant plight!
but, we all want the freedom of the Palestinian people, it’s just that that doesn’t mean one specific thing, like, say, the destruction of Israel to create one state, which only some people want. It’s hard to argue Mandela wanted that. Tutu might have leaned in that direction but Nelson didn’t, as far as I’m aware anyway.
Well said Tim Stephen Hendy
“The term Apartheid refers to the segregation of groups on the basis of ethnicity or race, and the denial of basic civil rights to the segregated group. There is no such segregation in Israel. Arabs are granted full civil rights under Israeli law, which forbids discrimination on the basis of race, creed, or sex. Arabs take part fully in Israeli society and government. Arab citizens of Israel vote in national elections, have representatives in the Israeli Parliament, sit on the Israeli courts and on the Israeli Supreme Court benches, and serve as tenured professors teaching in Israeli colleges and universities. The Arab citizens of Israel have more rights, and enjoy more freedom, education, and economic opportunity than the Arabs of any Arab state.” I copied and pasted that from another site but it is still true
That’s crap. You’ve clearly never seen Jew only buses or Jew only roads in Israel. You’ve never seen videos of how palestinian women and children are treated at military checkpoints. Did you know palestinian children are held captive by the IDF for days at a time and their parents denied access to them. Or how about having to walk to school through raw sewage.
Its not crap it’s the truth, there are no Jew only buses or Jew only roads in Israel you plonker, I don’t know were you’re this drivel from probably the pallywood web sites!
It is crap. Here’s a link for my so called “drivel”. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/9906113/Israel-launches-Palestinian-only-buses-amid-accusations-of-racial-segregation.html the telegraph non pallywood enough for you.
Now go crawl back under you’re rock you plonker
Funny how you accused me of talking drivel from pallywood sites. Yet your link is from a paper that has section devoted entirely to “anti israel bias”. Here’s another one for you. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4353235,00.html
You clearly can’t articulate an argument without name calling. So touch on pal I’m done with you.
Ok pal good luck
@ Ryan Mc Crory
if mandela was such a hero.. such a gentle soul
then how and why was he friends with Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness?
Nelson Mandela. 26 years imprisoned. Never once re-offended. Say what you like about the prison system, it seems to work!
Thoughtless fool…..
RIP Mandella
We’re all made of stars. And today, hopefully, a star that has been extinguished will lighten the lives of so many others to come. Rest in peace, Madiba.
I went to Robinn island and stood outside his cell
And I remembered that when he was freed that officers the kept him in his cell were commissioned to look after him president
In the morning he was a freedom fighter that day he left his cell as president of SA
rus in vrede
It’s an historic day for a man who gave so much of his life to his people
Rest in peace
Invictus
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
RIP Mandela
we’ve had seperate and special news bulletins
by the state broadcaster
to tell us what michelle obama and her daughters had for lunch in dublin
but very little questioning of the fact
that she was having lunch with mr tax exile himself
she’s glad to be home
home.. a country she has been in less than a week
in his speech Obama said
”those who choose a path of peace i promise you
that the united states of america will support you every step of the way.
we will be the wind at your back”
is he going for the hypocrite of the century award ?
we have to call things by their right names..
and the reality is..
by any serious examination.. this man is a war criminal
Clare Daly
june 26 … 2013
May his light continue to shine. RIP
Enda Cusack
paid tribute to by war criminal Obama
his funeral attended by paedo protecting Gerry adams
rest in peace indeed !!!!
He helped bring his country from dark to light . His passing is truly this worlds lost . A great man may he RIP
If Mandela is Obama’s personal political hero, why isn’t he anything like him?
He is the complete opposite of Mandela
Obama is white ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
Nelson Mandella died???
Obama is the exact opposite of Mandela. Obama is a real terrorist unlike Mandela.
@ Yusaf Jamal
hear hear
He belongs to a hollow grave now.
These guys haven’t much in common apart from both being the first black Presidents of their respective Countries. Mandela was a brilliant statesman, full of humility, and will inspire for generations. Obama, on the other hand, is out of his depth, has a huge ego, and he has flattered to deceive.
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