Pope Benedict XVI

In the aftermath of Pope Benedict's resignation, there has been a lot of commentary. People have tried to evaluate his accomplishments and shortcomings and the significance of his papacy. Beyond that, there has been discussion of whether he should have resigned or not.

My friend and fellow blogger MartininBroda made a post which expresses disappointment at Benedict's decision. Others have suggested that the papacy is a lifetime calling (even though Church law allows for resignations), so that a resignation is a dereliction of duty. As some have put it, one cannot stop being a father. Others have noted the contrast between this resignation and Bl. John Paul II's continuing to death even as he became increasingly debilitated by his illness. Martin quoted me a famous line from the legend about St. Peter. The legend says the as persecution was raging in Rome, Peter decided to leave the city for his own safety. As he was walking south on the Appian Way, he encountered (had a vision of) Jesus walking in the opposite direction — into the city. Peter asked him, "Quo vadis, Domine?" ("Where are you going, Lord?") and Jesus replied, "I am going to be crucified in your place." At that, Peter turned around and went back into the city, where he was martyred.

One can also discuss the resignation on the basis of whether it will prove to be a beneficial precedent or a harmful one. On that point, I'll just say that I'm not really sure. There is the danger that people with an axe to grind will put pressure on a pope to resign because they are unhappy with his decisions on one question or another. There is the possibility that a good man will feel freer to accept election if he realizes that he can resign when he becomes physically unable to carry on. By indicating that the pope must be vigorous the resignation tends to reinforce focus on the papacy alone, to the possible retirement of appreciation of the role of the bishop in his diocese. On the other hand, the fact the a pope can resign may tend to diminish the "mystique" of the papacy and clarify that he is also a bishop: the head of the college of bishops.

But to me, the central question is whether Benedict XVI is abandoning his duty. Has he run away? My opinion is that this is not a failure to live up to his obligations. When I saw the video of his announcement and read the translation of what he said, it seemed to me that he was giving a valid reason for resigning: that he was unable to perform the duties of the office adequately. He was resigning, in other words, not for his own comfort, but for the good of the Church: because he believes that at this juncture the Church needs a more vigorous man as pope. In this respect, his leaving of the papacy is the opposite of St. Peter's leaving Rome to save his life.

Similarly, it seems to me that the argument that one does not stop being a father is not valid. In the first place, bishops are fathers of their local churches, but they are required to offer their resignation when they reach age 75. Furthermore, Benedict has made it clear that his resignation is not an abandonment of the Church, since he will continue to live, in seclusion, at the Vatican, undertaking a life of prayer — which is also service to the Church.

I'd also note that this "retirement" is very different from other retirements in that Benedict will not go off and enjoy the normal life of a retiree — traveling, enjoying concerts, operas, dinner parties, and socializing in whatever ways appeal to one. He's not going to be enjoying "the good life" in the way we normally understand the phrase. It would be different if he were retiring to a family home in Bavaria, or taking an apartment in Rome.

As for the example of John Paul II, I think he gave a very valuable witness to the world of the sacredness of human life at all stages. When people advocate for assisted suicide as "death with dignity," John Paul II shows, rather, the dignity of life. But Benedict had to consider the needs of the Church. He was able to take into account not only the very public side of John Paul's endurance to the end, but also the effect it had on the workings of the Vatican. He also could take into account how his debilitation might progress differently from that of his predecessor. So I don't think the example of John Paul II invalidates the decision of Benedict XVI.

I am grateful to Benedict XVI for his life in service to the Church and the Gospel, and I respect his decision to serve them by resigning the papacy.