Cardinal saddened by Pope’s resignation 11/2/13
The leader of Scottish Catholics has expressed his sorrow at the resignation of Pope Benedict .
Cardinal Keith O’Brien said he was “shocked and saddened” after the Pope made a surprise announcement he is stepping aside as the head of the Roman Catholic church.
On Monday morning the 85-year-old Pope said he came to his decision because of advancing
age and failing health.
Pope Benedict XVI said he will leave office at 7pm on 28 February. The process to select his successor begins the following morning and a new Pope is to be elected by Easter.
In a public statement, the pontiff said: “After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry.
“I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering.”
He continued: “However, in today's world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to steer the boat of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognise my incapacity to adequately fulfil the ministry entrusted to me.”
Next month Cardinal Keith O’Brien will travel to Rome to participate in the conclave
- the process to elect a new Pope.
Cardinal O’Brien said: “Like many people throughout the world, I was shocked and saddened to hear of the decision by Pope Benedict XVI to resign.
“I know that his decision will have been considered most carefully and that it has come after much prayer and reflection.
“I will offer my prayers for Pope Benedict and call on the Catholic community of Scotland to join me in praying for him at this time of deterioration in his health as he recognises his incapacity to adequately fulfil the ministry entrusted to him.”
First Minister Alex Salmond wished the Pope a peaceful retirement after the pontiff unexpectedly announced his departure as the head of the Catholic church today.
"The Scottish Government holds the Holy See in the utmost respect and is aware Pope Benedict's decision will be a great shock to the Catholic community in Scotland and internationally.
"We should respect the decision of His Holiness to pass on his ministry in a selfless gesture, on health grounds, in the best interests of the church.
"Like many Scots, I remember with great fondness the resounding success of Pope Benedict's visit to Scotland in 2010 and the papal mass celebrated at Bellahouston Park. I wish him a very peaceful retirement."
On that visit to Scotland, Pope Benedict XVI concluded his homily with a blessing
in Gaelic to a 65,000-strong crowd n Glasgow.
The Gaelic language was embraced during different parts of the Mass with pilgrims from the Western Isles playing a prominent role during his visit
Barra priest Father John Paul Mackinnon, originally from Daliburgh, was one of the
Scottish clergy who shared the altar with Pope Benedict during the historic open-air
mass.
► Pope’s Gaelic choir sings to one billion audience