Pope Benedict to Resign - Page 2

coilynapp · 02-11-2013, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sKorpio1190

So why did they choose him then...?

This is my question.

naturaldoll · 02-11-2013, 05:50 PM

its the catholic church, they dont give a flying frack what their followers actually want. he wouldnt have been able to stop the election if he had gotten on his knees and cried/begged. the cardinals felt "moved by god" to vote for him.

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yossarian · 02-11-2013, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sKorpio1190

So why did they choose him then...?

As I recall, there were several worthy candidates. The three that were considered most likely were from Colombia, Nigeria, and China, respectively. Each was seen as strategically attractive, since they would expand the Catholic Church's appeal to non-European peoples, and were regarded as relatively liberal in the same vein as John Paul II.

Joseph Ratzinger, OTOH, was regarded as a dark horse, preferred by the traditionalists within the Church that wanted desperately to stem the bleeding (i.e., stop the loss of parishioners) in Western Europe, which was becoming increasingly secular. The reasoning was that people would feel more favorably toward the faith if "one of their own" was the Pope. The same faction also wanted a return to a strict interpretation of Church doctrine, especially on social issues (abortion; homosexuality) and interfaith relations.

And that's how you get Benedict XVI.

legends · 02-11-2013, 06:27 PM

He was JPII's right hand man (if anyone thought JP was so great before, that should tell you all right there) and him becoming pope after JP's death was pretty much a done deal long before it happened. He didn't want to be pope, my ass.

mrspoppers · 02-11-2013, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by legends

Hmmm, I smell a soon-to-break scandal. I can't think of any other reason for this.

Considering how "so what?" the Vatican has been over the sex abuse scandals, whatever's coming must be HUGE.

The first thing I thought of was scandal. The second was Alzheimer's or some other form of dementia. I'm leaning toward dementia.

murrrcat · 02-11-2013, 07:48 PM

maybe he wanted to shake shh up. Stir the pot, get everyone saying his name, he a rebel, maybe it was a plan to get money so he can die on an island in paradise. Got everyone talking about him, maybe he's waiting on prices for interviews so he can use that money to peace out.

Or not.

mad scientist · 02-11-2013, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrspoppers

Quote:

Originally Posted by legends

Hmmm, I smell a soon-to-break scandal. I can't think of any other reason for this.

Considering how "so what?" the Vatican has been over the sex abuse scandals, whatever's coming must be HUGE.

The first thing I thought of was scandal. The second was Alzheimer's or some other form of dementia. I'm leaning toward dementia.

Wasn't JPII quite far gone dementia-wise by the time he passed? That does not appear to be a reason for leaving this job.

mrspoppers · 02-11-2013, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mad scientist

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrspoppers

Quote:

Originally Posted by legends

Hmmm, I smell a soon-to-break scandal. I can't think of any other reason for this.

Considering how "so what?" the Vatican has been over the sex abuse scandals, whatever's coming must be HUGE.

The first thing I thought of was scandal. The second was Alzheimer's or some other form of dementia. I'm leaning toward dementia.

Wasn't JPII quite far gone dementia-wise by the time he passed? That does not appear to be a reason for leaving this job.

I'm not sure. I know he had parkinson's.

They've been saying since I posted earlier that it really might be the HBO documentary that pushed him into retirement. That's just speculation though.

sKorpio1190 · 02-12-2013, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yossarian

Quote:

Originally Posted by sKorpio1190

So why did they choose him then...?

As I recall, there were several worthy candidates. The three that were considered most likely were from Colombia, Nigeria, and China, respectively. Each was seen as strategically attractive, since they would expand the Catholic Church's appeal to non-European peoples, and were regarded as relatively liberal in the same vein as John Paul II.

Joseph Ratzinger, OTOH, was regarded as a dark horse, preferred by the traditionalists within the Church that wanted desperately to stem the bleeding (i.e., stop the loss of parishioners) in Western Europe, which was becoming increasingly secular. The reasoning was that people would feel more favorably toward the faith if "one of their own" was the Pope. The same faction also wanted a return to a strict interpretation of Church doctrine, especially on social issues (abortion; homosexuality) and interfaith relations.

And that's how you get Benedict XVI.

Lol well we see how that turned out! Ha!

spiderlashes5000 · 02-12-2013, 08:01 AM

Who the heck wants to work when they're 85 yrs old??

frau · 02-12-2013, 08:20 AM

maybe we'll finally get a pope of color.

spiderlashes5000 · 02-12-2013, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frau

maybe we'll finally get a pope of color.

Agreed. But also one who doesn't just stand on ceremony...but who really does the hard work of bringing forth God's kingdom on earth, spreading the good news and fostering a sense of love and charity across all nations (what I believe to be the real purpose of the Church).

09robiha · 02-12-2013, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frau

maybe we'll finally get a pope of color.

Apparently people are speculating that a Nigerian preist will be quite a prominent contestor!

thelio · 02-12-2013, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 09robiha

Quote:

Originally Posted by frau

maybe we'll finally get a pope of color.

Apparently people are speculating that a Nigerian preist will be quite a prominent contestor!

is it the same one that mentioned last time around? if so i think my grandma liked him and thought he was a good pick.

RedCatWaves · 02-12-2013, 11:40 AM

Good riddance to bad rubbish, I say. He should actually be going to prison rather than retirement though, for the 60+ years he spent being an accessory to hundreds if not thousands of child rapes. May PIMP Ratzinger rot in his own hell.

Dedachan · 02-12-2013, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedCatWaves

Good riddance to bad rubbish, I say. He should actually be going to prison rather than retirement though, for the 60+ years he spent being an accessory to hundreds if not thousands of child rapes. May PIMP Ratzinger rot in his own hell.

Amen!

moodydove · 02-12-2013, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yossarian

Quote:

Originally Posted by sKorpio1190

So why did they choose him then...?

As I recall, there were several worthy candidates. The three that were considered most likely were from Colombia, Nigeria, and China, respectively. Each was seen as strategically attractive, since they would expand the Catholic Church's appeal to non-European peoples, and were regarded as relatively liberal in the same vein as John Paul II.

Joseph Ratzinger, OTOH, was regarded as a dark horse, preferred by the traditionalists within the Church that wanted desperately to stem the bleeding (i.e., stop the loss of parishioners) in Western Europe, which was becoming increasingly secular. The reasoning was that people would feel more favorably toward the faith if "one of their own" was the Pope. The same faction also wanted a return to a strict interpretation of Church doctrine, especially on social issues (abortion; homosexuality) and interfaith relations.

And that's how you get Benedict XVI.

Ah, like the backlash that elected Nixon...

juicyfruit · 02-16-2013, 06:44 PM

He wanted to be Pope. He was supposed to be the cardinal who led the selection process when John Paul II died, but wound up as as the Pope (sort of like Cheney picking himself as Bush's VP).

I think he is resigning because he wants someone powerful to lead the church in his direction, but he no longer has the strength to do so.

OBB · 02-17-2013, 12:56 AM

what other organizations in the history of the world can get away with molestation and rape of thousands of its own children and still be able to operate with immunity?

NetG · 02-17-2013, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by multicultcurly

Quote:

Originally Posted by sKorpio1190

Considering he was a member of the hitler youth, I can't say I'm sad to see him go. It's about time.

I didn't know he was part of this, but I don't think that necessarily should be held against him. If that is the case, there are lots of white Americans who went along with segregation and unjust laws because "that is just what people did back then." my point is that some of us have done stupid things or thought them and then grew up and realized how stupid we really were. Obviously I'm not talking about adults who willingly tortured someone else because they thought they were better than that person and not having to do time for the crime.

There were people who didn't join Hitler youth despite the fact it was "mandatory." It cost some of them their lives, and some survived. They were just braver and stronger. I don't judge those who weren't for not being braver and stronger, and don't know what would have happened if I were in that situation.

This is different, though. To me, if you're talking Pope, you have to be completely beyond reproach. You're supposed to be a choice of G-d, which means you shouldn't have that shady past if G-d really wanted you to end up there.

The fact that I walked around the Jewish area of Rome and listened to some of the discussion of his anti-Semitism and the fear they all had because of him didn't lessen my impression any, either! His choices while Pope could also be seen as anti-Semitic as well.

And that's not to mention all the terrible things others have hinted at or mentioned in this thread.

Quote:

Originally Posted by juicyfruit

He wanted to be Pope. He was supposed to be the cardinal who led the selection process when John Paul II died, but wound up as as the Pope (sort of like Cheney picking himself as Bush's VP).

I think he is resigning because he wants someone powerful to lead the church in his direction, but he no longer has the strength to do so.

I hadn't heard that. If he had led the selection he wouldn't have been eligible, right?