THE CONCHO PADRE POSTLook upon your family, Lord,
that, through the chastening effects of bodily discipline,
our minds may be radiant in your presence
with the strength of our yearning for you.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.
The Roman Missal
Gospel MT 6:7-15
Jesus said to his disciples:
“In praying, do not babble like the pagans,
who think that they will be heard because of their many words.
Do not be like them.
Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
“This is how you are to pray:
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
“If you forgive men their transgressions,
your heavenly Father will forgive you.
But if you do not forgive men,
neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”
The Roman Missal
New York’s Cardinal Timothy Dolan has abruptly dismissed speculation that he could be the first American elected as Roman Pontiff.
Speaking to reporters after he celebrated Sunday Mass at St. Patrick’s cathedral, Cardinal Dolan laughed off the reports that some people have named him as a possible Pope. “I’d say those are only from people smoking marijuana,” he said.
The Concho Padre
Bishop Thomas John Paprocki [STL, JD, JCD] of Springfield in Illinois has sent around the following canonical analysis on what to call Pope Benedict when he leaves office on February 28th.
Since Pope Benedict’s surprise announcement last week, there has been much discussion about what to call a Pope who steps down from office. The confusion is understandable since a Pope has not left office alive for almost 600 years. It might even be said that a Pope has never stepped down quite under these circumstances in the 2,000 year history of the Church.
What seems to have been overlooked so far in these discussions is that the word “Pope” does not appear in the Code of Canon Law. Canon 331 defines the office held by the Pope: “The bishop of the Roman Church, in whom continues the office given by the Lord uniquely to Peter, first of the Apostles, and to be transmitted to his successors, is the head of the college of bishops, the Vicar of Christ, and the Pastor of the universal Church on earth. By virtue of his office he possesses supreme, full, immediate and universal ordinary power in the Church, which he is always able to exercise freely.”
From this canon, we can draw several titles for the office held by a Pope: Bishop of Rome, Successor of St. Peter, Head of the College of Bishops, Vicar of Christ, and Pastor of the Universal Church. Other canons give us the title most commonly used for the Petrine office throughout the Code: “Roman Pontiff” (e.g., canons 330, 332, 333, 334, 337, 338, 341, 342, 343, 346, 347, 348, 349, 350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, 358, 361, 362, and 363). The title “Supreme Pontiff” is also used frequently in the Code (e.g., canons 340, 355, 360). The Code even eschews the popular and colloquial term “Papal Legate” when referring to the ecclesial diplomats who act as representatives of the Holy See, calling them officially “Legates of the Roman Pontiff” and “pontifical legates” (see canons 362-367).
Accordingly, Benedict did not use the word “Pope” anywhere in his spoken announcement or letter of resignation, in which he said that he would step down from “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 . . .” As such, he used the titles for the office listed in canon 331 and 340. He signed that letter “BENEDICTUS PP. XVI,” which simply means that he is the sixteenth Pope by the name “Benedict.” That is a historical fact that will never change.
How then are we to understand the word “Pope?” It is an honorific, even a term of endearment (“Papa” in Italian). It is not the title of an ecclesiastical office. We make this distinction all the time. We still call a priest by the honorific “Father” even after he has resigned from the office of Pastor. Having lived in Italy for three and a half years when I was studying canon law, and having a sense of the culture, I have a feeling the Italians will continue to call Pope Benedict Papa Benedetto even after he leaves office as the Bishop of Rome. So I don’t think people will have a hard time wrapping their minds around having a Pope who is no longer the Roman Pontiff, Bishop of Rome, etc. Certainly, in direct address, one would never address him as anything but, “Your Holiness.”
Of course, it would be best to know what Pope Benedict himself wants to be called after February 28 and I hope he will tell us. We can get some idea of that from the name under which his books about Jesus of Nazareth have been published: “Joseph Ratzinger – Pope Benedict XVI.” In his forward to the first volume, he made it clear that “this book is in no way an exercise of the magisterium, but solely an expression of my personal search ‘for the face of the Lord’ (Cf. Ps 27:8).” So, writing in his personal capacity and not as Supreme Pontiff, he called himself, “Joseph Ratzinger – Pope Benedict XVI.”
Some have suggested that he should return to being “Cardinal Ratzinger.” That does not seem correct. If he had resigned before reaching the age of 80, after which a Cardinal may no longer vote in a papal conclave, I do not think he would have, should have or could have donned a red cassock and entered the conclave in the Sistine Chapel to vote for his successor.
Instead, at 8:00 PM Rome time on February 28, 2013, Pope Benedict XVI will have a new identity to which we will have to become accustomed: His Holiness, Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI, former Roman/Supreme Pontiff, Bishop Emeritus of Rome.
There has also been some discussion about whether Pope Benedict “renounced,” “resigned” or “abdicated” the office of Roman Pontiff. The official English translation of the Code of Canon Law translates “renuntiatio” in canon 332, §2 as “resignation.” (“If it happens that the Roman Pontiff resigns his office, it is required for validity that the resignation is made freely and properly manifested, but not that it be accepted by anyone.” In Latin: “Si contingat ut Romanus Pontifex muneri suo renuntiet, ad validitatem requiritur ut renuntiatio libere fiat et rite manifestetur, non vero ut a quopiam acceptetur.”)
Accordingly, I believe “resign” is a more accurate translation in this context than “renounce” and certainly not “abdicate” (a term used by royalty when a monarch steps down from the throne). It does seem odd that someone could resign without submitting that resignation to anyone, so the canon specifically addresses that question by saying that for validity it is required that the resignation must be “made freely and properly manifested, but not that it be accepted by anyone.”
Although “renounce” has been used even in the Holy See’s translation of his announcement and letter of resignation, I think that “renounce” is a literal but not necessarily accurate translation of “renuntio” in this context. Since the Pope wrote and spoke in Latin, it is a question of translation. Parallel passages in canon law regarding bishops and pastors stepping down from office use the word “renuntiatio,” but we never speak of a bishop sending in his letter of “renunciation” when he turns 75 or a pastor “renouncing” his office. So my interpretation as a canon lawyer is that “resignation” is the proper translation of “renuntiatio” in this context.
These observations are my humble canonical opinions and interpretations, so I willingly defer to more learned experts in these matters. Of course, this could all become moot if the Holy Father tells us clearly his wishes. In any event, I pray for Pope Benedict XVI during this time of transition and for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the election of his successor.
Thanks to Bishop Paprocki for his observations!
The Concho Padre
Vatican City, February 18, 2013 (Zenit.org).
Father Federico Lombardi, SJ
Here is a translation of this week’s editorial from the director of the Vatican press office, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi.
Pope Benedict’s decision to renounce the papacy has shocked the world. For most people, inside and outside of the Church and the Vatican, it was an unexpected and remarkable event. We are all deeply touched, and are still trying to understand the import and significance of the Pope’s action.
But, to be honest, it’s a decision that is more surprising to those who do not know him than to those who know him well and have followed him closely. He spoke clearly of this possibility at unexpected times, in the book-length interview “Light of the World”; he had a way of always speaking discreetly and prudently about the future duties of his pontificate; he made perfectly clear that he considered the papacy a mission that he had received, rather than a power that he possessed. It was not false humility when he described himself, at the beginning of his papacy, as “a humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord.” He was always careful to conserve his physical strength, in order to better fulfill the immense task that had been entrusted to him so unexpectedly, when he was already quite advanced in age.
His act is one of admirable human and Christian wisdom, on the part of a man who has lived in the sight of God, in the faith of the freedom of spirit; one who knows his responsibilities and his abilities; and one who, with his resignation, sees new prospects for renewed service and new hope. It is a great act of governance of the Church. It is a decision made not, as some think, because Pope Benedict felt he was no longer able to guide the Roman Curia, but because the major problems facing the Church and the world today, which he fully appreciates, require great strength and a length of office that is proportionate to pastoral initiatives of great breadth and no small length of time.
Benedict is not abandoning us in times of difficulty. He is inviting the Church to entrust herself with confidence to the Holy Spirit and to a new Successor of Peter. In these days, he says, he has felt, almost physically, the intensity of prayer and of love that accompanies him. We, in turn, feel the unique intensity of his prayer and of his affection for his Successor and for us. We can expect this spiritual relationship to become even deeper and stronger than before — an intense communion in absolute freedom
From Vatican Press Office and Zenit.org
Ask Catholics to sign online pledge to pray and to tweet prayer commitment to the pope
NEW HAVEN, Conn., Feb. 15, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ — The Knights of Columbus — the world’s largest Catholic fraternal group — is asking its members and all Catholics to pray daily for the pope and the church in anticipation of Pope Benedict XVI’s retirement and the election of a new pope.
The Knights’ campaign comes at a time when Pope Benedict XVI has publicly asked for prayers for himself, his successor and the church. During the papal audience on Wednesday of this week, the Holy Father said: “Continue to pray for me, for the church, and for the future pope.” He also thanked all those who have kept him in their prayers.
The Knights are asking people to record their pledge to pray at http://www.PrayerfortheChurch.com.
The names of those who have made the pledge online will be brought to the Installation Mass for the new pope. In addition, physical prayer cards are available from the Knights of Columbus for use by parishes, schools or local Knights of Columbus councils. Cards can be ordered by calling (203) 752-4483 or by emailing communications@kofc.org
The Knights are also encouraging people to send their prayerful support to Pope Benedict XVI directly by tweeting “I am praying for you” and the hashtag #prayerforthechurch to the pope’s twitter account @pontifex.
The prayer, written by Knights of Columbus Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore, reads:
“O Lord Jesus Christ, Supreme Pastor of Your Church,
we thank you for the ministry of Pope Benedict XVI
and the selfless care with which he has led us
as Successor of Peter, and Your Vicar on earth.
“Good Shepherd, who founded Your Church
on the rock of Peter’s faith
and have never left Your flock untended,
look with love upon us now,
and sustain Your Church in faith, hope, and charity.
“Grant, Lord Jesus, in Your boundless love for us,
a new Pope for Your Church
who will please You by his holiness
and lead us faithfully to You,
who are the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Amen.”
“Until a new pope is elected, we ask Catholics worldwide to pledge to say this prayer daily for Pope Benedict, for the church, and for our future pope, and to encourage their friends and families to do the same,” said Supreme Knight Carl Anderson.
The Knights of Columbus has worked closely with the Vatican during the Pontificate of Pope Benedict. In December of 2012, at St. Peter’s Basilica, the pope addressed attendees of a conference co-sponsored by the Knights of Columbus and the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
Supreme Knight Anderson serves on several Vatican committees, and has worked both with Pope Benedict XVI and with his predecessor Blessed John Paul II. Earlier this week, Anderson released a statement noting:
“In these remaining days of his papacy, our thoughts and prayers are with Pope Benedict XVI, who has worked so hard in leading the Church, and has always been such a good friend to the Knights of Columbus. We wish him all the best in his retirement. In addition, we pray for all those cardinals who will take part in the conclave, and for his successor, that God may inspire them as they carry out the mission with which they are entrusted.”
For more information visit http://www.PrayerfortheChurch.com or follow the campaign on Twitter @KofC
The Concho Padre
An enormous crowd, estimated at 150,000, flocked to St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, February 17, for the midday Angelus and blessing by Pope Benedict XVI. The Holy Father voiced his thanks for the show of support and affection, and asked for prayers for himself and for the next Pope.
Pope Benedict will hold only one more Angelus audience, next Sunday, February 24, before his resignation takes effect on February 28. Because the Holy Father is on retreat this week and all papal audiences are cancelled, there will be only one more Wednesday audience, February 27, in this pontificate as well.
In his remarks on the day’s Gospel, which recounted the temptation of Jesus, the Pope spoke about the nature of temptation, telling the people that they should be more aware of the need to battle temptations. During this penitential season, he explained, the faithful work toward sanctification, and “the spirit of evil, naturally, opposes our sanctification and tries to turn us from God’s path.”
The devil, the Pope continued, uses subtlety in his appeals. He pointed toward the temptation of Christ, noting that “Jesus had to unmask and reject the false images of the Messiah proposed to him by the tempter.” Temptations, he said, invariably disguise themselves as forms of good. The devil “doesn’t push us directly toward evil, but toward a false good.”
The Concho Padre
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, February 18, 2013 (Zenit.org)
Archbishop Orani João Tempesta of Rio de Janeiro is welcoming the prayer with which the retired Benedict XVI will sustain July’s World Youth Day, even as his Successor makes the trip to Rio.
The archbishop of the host city affirmed that preparations for the July 23-28 event will not be affected by the Pope’s resignation, given that it was always understood that if Benedict XVI were not to take part in the Day, his Successor would go in his stead.
World Youth Day will be one of the first major events for the new pontiff, just as the Youth Day of Cologne in 2005 was one of Benedict XVI’s first events, some four months after his election to the See of Peter.
The only possible changes that would be made in the new pontiff’s agenda in Rio would be the places he will visit, Archbishop Tempesta suggested.
On Feb. 27, the day before Benedict XVI’s resignation becomes effective, Archbishop Tempesta said he will arrive in Rome to thank the Holy Father for his work as Christ’s vicar and for having chosen Rio de Janeiro as the venue for the forthcoming WYD. The archbishop expressed his gratitude to Benedict XVI for having guided the Church with faith and rationality in difficult times.
In regard to comparisons between Benedict XVI and Blessed John Paul II, the archbishop of Rio said that it is not up to us to judge or compare, but to perceive and value the obedience and response that each one has given to serve the Catholic Church, and the endeavor of evangelization throughout the world.
In regard to the possibility of his being the first host of the new pope, Cardinal Tempesta said that the introduction of the pontiff to the world during the WYD will be a beautiful sign of new times for Catholic youth, joyful for all, and with Benedict XVI’s prayers.
Asked if a new pontiff will imply even greater numbers for the WYD, the archbishop said the greatest concern of the organizers of this youth mega-meeting is to be able to receive all those who will attend in the best way possible.
From Zenit.org
Jesus said to his disciples:
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory,
and all the angels with him,
he will sit upon his glorious throne,
and all the nations will be assembled before him.
And he will separate them one from another,
as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
Then the king will say to those on his right,
‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father.
Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me food,
I was thirsty and you gave me drink,
a stranger and you welcomed me,
naked and you clothed me,
ill and you cared for me,
in prison and you visited me.’
Then the righteous will answer him and say,
‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you,
or thirsty and give you drink?
When did we see you a stranger and welcome you,
or naked and clothe you?
When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’
And the king will say to them in reply,
‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did
for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’
Then he will say to those on his left,
‘Depart from me, you accursed,
into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels.
For I was hungry and you gave me no food,
I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,
a stranger and you gave me no welcome,
naked and you gave me no clothing,
ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’
Then they will answer and say,
‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty
or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison,
and not minister to your needs?’
He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you,
what you did not do for one of these least ones,
you did not do for me.’
And these will go off to eternal punishment,
but the righteous to eternal life.”
The Roman Missal
Convert us,
O God our Savior,
and instruct our minds by heavenly teaching,
that we may benefit from the works of Lent.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.
The Roman Missal
THE CONCHO PADRE POST 