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'A true calling never dies' – readers respond to the pope's resignation 'A true calling never dies' – readers respond to the pope's resignation
(7 months later)
Following the pope's surprising announcement that he would retire at the end of the month, we asked you if you thought the papacy should be for life. Is it really possible to retire from a higher calling? Do you expect Pope Benedict XVI to remain on the world stage, even after he steps down? 10 Guardian readers share their thoughts:Following the pope's surprising announcement that he would retire at the end of the month, we asked you if you thought the papacy should be for life. Is it really possible to retire from a higher calling? Do you expect Pope Benedict XVI to remain on the world stage, even after he steps down? 10 Guardian readers share their thoughts:
'He can only retire in certain respects' – Will G, Washington, DC'He can only retire in certain respects' – Will G, Washington, DC
One must remember that a pope holds three jobs simultaneously: head of state for Vatican City, the Bishop of Rome, and the Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church. As a Sovereign, it is his prerogative whether to remain or resign. As a Bishop, he is able to retire at age 75. As Supreme Pontiff, he may abdicate of his own free will. He can never retire from his priestly vocation, but can retire from active ministry."One must remember that a pope holds three jobs simultaneously: head of state for Vatican City, the Bishop of Rome, and the Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church. As a Sovereign, it is his prerogative whether to remain or resign. As a Bishop, he is able to retire at age 75. As Supreme Pontiff, he may abdicate of his own free will. He can never retire from his priestly vocation, but can retire from active ministry."
'Term limits would hinder the pope's duty' – Sims, Texas'Term limits would hinder the pope's duty' – Sims, Texas
The papacy is an office directed toward preserving the common good of the Church. As such, it requires a great deal from whomever has that office. To think that someone should try to fulfill its duties until the bitter end without qualification is simply ridiculous. Term limits, however, would badly affect the ability of the pope to make hard decisions. In this regard it is much like a position on the Supreme Court. Why would a position of world leadership be more meaningful if held until death? I believe that Benedict's decision is particularly meaningful in that it cements the differences between him and his predecessor. He never claimed to be an imitation of John Paul II, and he saw his mission as something different as well. His abdication points to his refusal to be simply a pope following John Paul's footsteps. A calling presumes that one is capable of carrying out that calling. If the pope cannot perform his duties, then he must take it as a sign that his calling has changed. Very few things in this life are absolute."The papacy is an office directed toward preserving the common good of the Church. As such, it requires a great deal from whomever has that office. To think that someone should try to fulfill its duties until the bitter end without qualification is simply ridiculous. Term limits, however, would badly affect the ability of the pope to make hard decisions. In this regard it is much like a position on the Supreme Court. Why would a position of world leadership be more meaningful if held until death? I believe that Benedict's decision is particularly meaningful in that it cements the differences between him and his predecessor. He never claimed to be an imitation of John Paul II, and he saw his mission as something different as well. His abdication points to his refusal to be simply a pope following John Paul's footsteps. A calling presumes that one is capable of carrying out that calling. If the pope cannot perform his duties, then he must take it as a sign that his calling has changed. Very few things in this life are absolute."
'A true leader knows when to hand over the reins' – Jenny, UK'A true leader knows when to hand over the reins' – Jenny, UK
Age is not a bar to leadership but declining health and vitality can diminish even the most able of people. A true leader knows when it is time to hand over the reins. Too many hold on to "power" for the wrong reasons. The Papacy is a unique calling to serve a difficult and increasingly troubled world. Just as we are called to serve so also can we be called to lay it down in the service of mankind. A courageous man!Age is not a bar to leadership but declining health and vitality can diminish even the most able of people. A true leader knows when it is time to hand over the reins. Too many hold on to "power" for the wrong reasons. The Papacy is a unique calling to serve a difficult and increasingly troubled world. Just as we are called to serve so also can we be called to lay it down in the service of mankind. A courageous man!
'He doesn't have the strength to modernise' – Toby, Hastings, UK'He doesn't have the strength to modernise' – Toby, Hastings, UK
The position of pope will continue to be meaningful to the faithful, regardless of what Benedict XVI does. At the very worst, a tiny minority may see him as having turned his back on God, but the vast majority of people will understand his position and his actions. Speaking from an agnostic perspective, I can't blame him for retiring. It must be obvious to him that there is somebody who can do a better job than he is able to.The position of pope will continue to be meaningful to the faithful, regardless of what Benedict XVI does. At the very worst, a tiny minority may see him as having turned his back on God, but the vast majority of people will understand his position and his actions. Speaking from an agnostic perspective, I can't blame him for retiring. It must be obvious to him that there is somebody who can do a better job than he is able to.
Maybe there is somebody in the pipeline who is prepared to speak up about contraception and LGBT issues, and will drag Catholicism into the 21st century. It could be that the Catholic Church has realised that it needs to modernise, and Benedict XVI realises that he has neither the strength or the inclination for such a fight.Maybe there is somebody in the pipeline who is prepared to speak up about contraception and LGBT issues, and will drag Catholicism into the 21st century. It could be that the Catholic Church has realised that it needs to modernise, and Benedict XVI realises that he has neither the strength or the inclination for such a fight.
'God could use a younger leader' – Dede, California, USA'God could use a younger leader' – Dede, California, USA
When I heard the pope was resigning, my first thought was "I'm happy for him!" Even when he first became the pope, it struck me that this was a very demanding position for a man in his late 70s. I do not think the papacy should be a position for life, and I do not think that world leadership positions are more meaningful if held until death. In the case of the Catholic church, which has certain issues to address and changes to be made, a younger leader with more energy and a (perhaps) broader perspective would serve the church well. I believe that God can call and use a younger person to lead the Catholic church – perhaps those seeking God's will for the next leader of the church should be open to the calling of a younger pope.When I heard the pope was resigning, my first thought was "I'm happy for him!" Even when he first became the pope, it struck me that this was a very demanding position for a man in his late 70s. I do not think the papacy should be a position for life, and I do not think that world leadership positions are more meaningful if held until death. In the case of the Catholic church, which has certain issues to address and changes to be made, a younger leader with more energy and a (perhaps) broader perspective would serve the church well. I believe that God can call and use a younger person to lead the Catholic church – perhaps those seeking God's will for the next leader of the church should be open to the calling of a younger pope.
'The impact of his decision remains to be seen' – Doreen, USA'The impact of his decision remains to be seen' – Doreen, USA
"The pope's resignation clearly demonstrates that he believes vocation is one thing, leadership another. He remains a priest (vocation) but not the pope (leadership). We will need to wait awhile to see what the impact of his decision is. But the pope does truly seem to be a man of deep faith, so a prayerfully made decision on his part can only yield good. But what that good is remains to be seen ... ""The pope's resignation clearly demonstrates that he believes vocation is one thing, leadership another. He remains a priest (vocation) but not the pope (leadership). We will need to wait awhile to see what the impact of his decision is. But the pope does truly seem to be a man of deep faith, so a prayerfully made decision on his part can only yield good. But what that good is remains to be seen ... "
'A true calling never dies' – Sunshine, Philadelphia, USA'A true calling never dies' – Sunshine, Philadelphia, USA
It is possible to retire from a "calling" that was generated by man, and not God. It's the difference between having a job and having a career. One gives you something to do but you give the other a reason to exist. It's the difference between happiness and joy; good feelings and passion. A true calling never dies. It will forever ring in the mind and heart of the person, even when they choose to ignore it because of fear.It is possible to retire from a "calling" that was generated by man, and not God. It's the difference between having a job and having a career. One gives you something to do but you give the other a reason to exist. It's the difference between happiness and joy; good feelings and passion. A true calling never dies. It will forever ring in the mind and heart of the person, even when they choose to ignore it because of fear.
'Positions for life are meaningless' – Stuart, Czech Republic'Positions for life are meaningless' – Stuart, Czech Republic
I think the fact that he's stepping down means it is a position to be occupied by the best possible person. Positions for life are meaningless – if someone could get such a position and then make a lot of mistakes and still keep his position, that isn't right. Even the Queen of the Netherlands retired a position which is for all intents and purposes is given by god.I think the fact that he's stepping down means it is a position to be occupied by the best possible person. Positions for life are meaningless – if someone could get such a position and then make a lot of mistakes and still keep his position, that isn't right. Even the Queen of the Netherlands retired a position which is for all intents and purposes is given by god.
'You can't retire from a calling' – Julian Baker, Sheffield, UK'You can't retire from a calling' – Julian Baker, Sheffield, UK
Unless a position is primarily ceremonial, it doesn't make sense for people to hold such a position for life. We don't expect people to drive a car until they die (because they'll probably kill lots of others with them). I don't think you can retire from a calling, but you might be right to scale back your commitments because of your physical inability to do things. The wider issue is leaving the decision in the hands of the individual as to whether to step down or not (or more to the point – when to step down).Unless a position is primarily ceremonial, it doesn't make sense for people to hold such a position for life. We don't expect people to drive a car until they die (because they'll probably kill lots of others with them). I don't think you can retire from a calling, but you might be right to scale back your commitments because of your physical inability to do things. The wider issue is leaving the decision in the hands of the individual as to whether to step down or not (or more to the point – when to step down).
'A new leader can tackle the challenges' – Krishan, Sri Lanka'A new leader can tackle the challenges' – Krishan, Sri Lanka
I think that a new face that could handle the steering of the church, considering the challenges that it faces. It would not be of any use if the Pope holds the position knowing that he could not manage the challenge, i think he could resign if he thinks he is not as able as he used to be.I think that a new face that could handle the steering of the church, considering the challenges that it faces. It would not be of any use if the Pope holds the position knowing that he could not manage the challenge, i think he could resign if he thinks he is not as able as he used to be.
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