Reacting To Pope's Abdication

Cardinal Francis Arinze

I have no doubt that many of you, like me, were completely shocked by the news of Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation.  (Some say it should be called an abdication and not a resignation because the Pope has no one to whom he resigns.  I don’t think it’s that important.  Resignation or abdication, he will cease to be the Bishop of Rome on 28 February 2013 at 20h00.) 

I decided, within about an hour or so of hearing the news of the Pope’s abdication, to stop watching or listening to any more news about the Pope’s abdication.  This was not because of some silly emotional decision to block out a ‘sad’ event.  No, by no means was that it. It was in fact a very wise decision, as far as I am concerned, to block out the complete and utter rubbish that was almost instantaneously being broadcast by most of the secular media and, sadly, even by some Catholic media.

It really is astounding to see just how many experts surface at times like these.  Anyone who knows our Church and our Faith would immediately realise what complete and utter rubbish many of these self appointed ‘experts’ are speaking.  Yet, unashamedly, driven by pride and their eagerness to be put on a pedestal and be glorified as an expert, they happily spew forth their trash to whoever will listen. 

Of course what is even more astounding is how many people, who should know better, fall prey to the drivel coming from these self appointed ‘experts’.  They seem incapable of thinking for themselves.  It is as if during all their years of being Catholic they have learned absolutely nothing about our Faith.  They seem to have forgotten that the Church is not a man made institution.  There is so much more to the Church than what we can see with our natural eyes, but sadly it seems that we so easily forget this truth and we despair.  We forget the supernatural element of the Church.

Despite avoiding news related to the Pope’s abdication, I am obviously not oblivious to when I should pay attention to something that is being broadcast.  It is not an ostrich head in the sand mentality that I have adopted.  I shared with you earlier today Cardinal Napier’s comments on the Pope's abdication, as well as the statements by Archbishop Brislin and the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference.

Now I would like to share with you this video footage of an interview with Cardinal Arinze about the Pope’s abdication.  He was actually present when the Pope made his announcement.  Cardinal Arinze conveys with such gentleness and certainty the truth that our faith is not in the Pope.  Our faith is in our Lord Jesus Christ.  Jesus, who is the same yesterday, today and forever.  

Cardinal Arinze, like Cardinal Napier did earlier today, expresses, based on their personal relationship with the Pope and not wild conjecture as the 'experts' do, certainty that the Pope is a great and wise man who does not act irrationally.  The Pope knows exactly what he is doing.  The Pope always acts wisely and out of complete love for God and for the Church.  We can therefore be certain, says both Cardinal Napier and Arinze, that the Pope has done what he knows is the very best for the Church. 

Enjoy the video and God bless.