Godspeed….IL Papa

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am not a real fan of the way Rome does things.  I have appropriate respect for Pope Benedict and always have.  I have tried to like him and there have been moments when I have found I do (Big of me, eh?) but mostly I am just frustrated.  Frustrated by the lack of listening that goes on. Frustrated by the lack of respect given to over half of the population of our church and frustrated that the view the world gets of our faith is so narrow.   Today though, I wanted to hug him as he gave over the position he never really wanted anyway (from what I understand).  His decision has allowed us to really review what the role of Rome should be.  I know that good and loyal Catholics out there are going to only remember the good things he did, and there really are many. But it is important to remember the whole story, beginning to end.  His watch continues, though I don’t think in the way the media wants to portray it…I think there will be wide berth given to the new pope.  I genuinely think he is tired and he is done, he is after all, an old man.I wish him well and I am hopeful that we can find someone who can bridge the ever-widening gap between the Church and the church.   I want to thank him for opening the door to discussing what we mean when we look to the seat of St. Peter.  There is no person on earth, in my mind, who can be God on earth. If the person they select can convey that to the people they lead, we will be heading in right direction.  In the meantime, God Bless Pope Benedict…ooh…what do we call him now?  Well, God bless him and keep him as he continues to be a good and faithful servant. Here is an excellent article from another brilliant German man, Hans Kung.http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/28/opinion/a-vatican-spring.html?smid=fb-share