Pope Benedict XVI
Yesterday, Pope Benedict XVI announced his retirement. He did so in front of an audience that had gathered for an important, if routine, meeting concerning three canonizations.
Those present, including many senior cardinals were stunned into silence. Nobody expected it; but nobody ever does.
Those present, including many senior cardinals were stunned into silence. Nobody expected it; but nobody ever does.
In the 24 hours since, commentators have been scurrying to the history books to stress how unexpected and unusual the retirement. That has been good news for Pope Gregory XII, who stood down in 1415 - previously ignored by all but die-hard obsessives about medieval church schisms - but who suddenly finds his name front page news alongside his apostolic successor almost exactly 600 years since he disappeared off into peaceful seclusion in Ancona.
The question on everyone's lips is what is the precedent this sets for future popes. But as those who look not at Old but at New Rome, the imperial city of Constantinople, the question would be rather different. Heads of what became known as the Orthodox church often retired, and the seasoned viewer knows that they never really chose to spend their old age in 'monastic perfection' (as one optimistic Byzantine chronicler puts it) - and as Pope Benedict himself is not set to do. It was a case of jump or be pushed.
The question on everyone's lips is what is the precedent this sets for future popes. But as those who look not at Old but at New Rome, the imperial city of Constantinople, the question would be rather different. Heads of what became known as the Orthodox church often retired, and the seasoned viewer knows that they never really chose to spend their old age in 'monastic perfection' (as one optimistic Byzantine chronicler puts it) - and as Pope Benedict himself is not set to do. It was a case of jump or be pushed.
Pope Gregory XII
There are - and always have been - passionate struggles behind ecclesiastical thrones, and not surprisingly so: interpreting God's will is a serious business and an enormous amount hangs on getting it right. When millions follow you, the stakes and the pressure are almost impossibly high. When there is noise amongst your senior hierarchy, however, it is not just exhaustion and old age that bite, but a crisis of confidence.
In the Pope's case, there can be no question that physical frailty has played a part in magnifying concerns that must already have been overwhelming. But the real question is what was the issue (or issues?) that ground Pope Benedict down and where he was able to admit, in an act of profound humility, that he was not able to provide clarity of leadership?
Was he, as a highly intelligent scholar, simply unable to decide between two competing views; or was there hostility to his conclusions from some of those cardinals who sat in silence as the Pope announced his news. Perhaps the comment that his decision was one that had 'great importance for the life of the church' is to be understood best as a pointer at those who had not stood alongside him when he most needed their support.
As was always the case in Constantinople, the choice of successor will reveal what was really going on behind the scenes;
In the Pope's case, there can be no question that physical frailty has played a part in magnifying concerns that must already have been overwhelming. But the real question is what was the issue (or issues?) that ground Pope Benedict down and where he was able to admit, in an act of profound humility, that he was not able to provide clarity of leadership?
Was he, as a highly intelligent scholar, simply unable to decide between two competing views; or was there hostility to his conclusions from some of those cardinals who sat in silence as the Pope announced his news. Perhaps the comment that his decision was one that had 'great importance for the life of the church' is to be understood best as a pointer at those who had not stood alongside him when he most needed their support.
As was always the case in Constantinople, the choice of successor will reveal what was really going on behind the scenes;
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