Catholics shocked over pope’s resignation The last time an abdication occurred was 600 years ago in 1415.

Catholics shocked over pope’s resignation

The last time an abdication occurred was 600 years ago in 1415.

Mumbai:  The news of the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI has shocked Indians with some terming it a right decision keeping in mind his health.

"Never in living memory has a Pope resigned. In fact, the tradition is that he continues in office until his death," said one of the parishioners at the St Blaise Church in Amboli, Mumbai.

Pope Benedict XVI, the head of the Catholic Church, announced his surprise resignation effective February 28, citing advanced age and ill health.

Few Church observers even knew that the Pope could resign. The last time an abdication occurred was 600 years ago in 1415.

Fr. Anthony Charanghat, spokesperson of the Mumbai archdiocese, said that Cardinal Oswald Gracias, who sits on several committees in the Vatican, met his the pope two weeks ago and did not have the faintest idea.

“Even his closest aides did not know," he said.

Cardinal Gracias expressed "surprise and sadness" on the development.

Abraham Mathai of Indian Christian Voice called it a "bold decision".

Former police commissioner Julio F Ribeiro said, "if he is ill, then I think this is the correct thing to do. How will he take care of one of the biggest organizations in the world? His move restores my faith in good governance. My respect for him has gone up."

Fr. Rocky Banz, parish priest of Gloria Church in Byculla, hoped that the vacancy would be filled before Easter.

"The papacy is not the easiest job in the world. There is a variety of problems to be addressed given that the Catholic Church is such a vast organization. Right here in India, we have 165 dioceses. I think the pope did his best to address issues," he said.

Jennifer Rodrigues, professor of history at National College, hoped that the Church would look towards Asia and Africa for future nominations to the papacy.

"In Europe, it is the Anglicans that are in a majority. Conversely, it is here that the (Catholic) numbers are and it is here that the faith is," she said.

"The churning over issues like abortion, women priests, gay marriage, and child abuse within the Church will continue. But it is touching to see a spiritual leader who holds a powerful position, not just within the Church, settle to a life of anonymity,” she added.

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was declared Pope Benedict XVI in 2005.

At 78, he was one of the oldest to be elected to office. One school of thought believes that the cumulative effect of sickness and several controversies that have plagued the Church in recent times brought this decision.

Source: Times of India