Community Corner

Pope's Resignation is Act of 'Courage and Humility,' Bishop Says

Allentown Bishop John Barres says Pope Benedict XVI has 'Inspired the world'

"Pope Benedict XVI's decision to resign on February 28 is "an act of great courage and humility," Allentown Diocese Bishop John Barres said in a statement issued Monday.

What's your reaction to the Pope's announcement? What has been the impact of his papacy? Tell us in the comments section below.

Barres noted that the Pope's decision to step down due to failing health came on -- not coincidentally -- the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, and World Day of the Sick.

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"His contemplative serenity and radiant joy as the Vicar of Christ has inspired the entire world," said Barres, who leads 270,000 Catholics across the Allentown Diocese including about 67,000 in Lehigh County and 76,000 in Northampton County.

Barres recalled fondly a fleeting encounter with Cardinal Ratzinger in Rome before Ratzinger became Pope:

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"I have a wonderful memory of going to the North American College in Rome during my graduate student priest days. As I walked down the Janiculum Hill one night, I came upon then-Cardinal Ratzinger who was walking up the hill on the other side of the street.  He gave me this radiant smile after his long day and waved.  It touched me deeply"

In December 2011, at the Pennsylvania Bishops Ad Limina visit, Barres had "a wonderful and animated discussion with Pope Benedict and I had the opportunity to thank him personally for his recent catechesis on prayer in which he teaches the universal Church the importance of sacrificing deeply to pray deeply."

At the Lehigh Valley's Catholic University -- DeSales in Center Valley -- Father Thomas Dailey said the Pope's decision is "not your usual retirement."

"The last pope to resign was in 1245, when Pope Celestine V decreed, after just five months in office, that it is permissible for a pope to resign and did so, said Dailey, Director of the Salesian Center for Ethics at DeSales University

A more recent "retirement" occurred in 1415, but under duress, explained Father Dailey.  

Father Daily feels Pope Benedict will leave behind a legacy of deep intellectualism and return to Catholic doctrine.

"This is a man with a great mind. He combined that great working mind with his faith." 

Included in his legacy with be the "Year of Faith", an initiative of Pope Benedict's described as "a new evangelization" of the Catholic Church by Father Dailey. "Traditional missions bring the message of Christ to those who haven't heard of him yet. This mission is to renew the message to all Christians, of all denominations."

The Pope's announcement on the Feast Day of our Lady of Lourdes -- Lourdes is a shrine of healing in France -- may be designed to draw "attention not just to his physical health but his intellectual health and his stamina."

"I think that by making this declaration today, he's calling the world's attention that the lack of vigorous health is part of the human experience." 

When asked about whether Pope Benedict "modernized the church," Father Dailey said:

"It depends on what you mean. He has a website, he's on Twitter, so in that way yes. Otherwise, quite frankly, no. No pope takes his direction from the way the world works."


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