Basilisa Marie Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 Just curious, what do we refer to him as once he has resigned? Does he become Cardinal again? Do we refer to him as Cardinal Ratzinger? It just occurred to me that I'll have no idea what to call him. I'm guessing many people are as clueless as I am about this since the last pope to resign did so in the 13th century... We don't know yet. There isn't any official protocol for this. We have to wait for the Vatican to tell us. My guess is that it'll still be "his holiness." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FutureSister2009 Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 I don't seem to see the use in at least attempting to explain it. My atheist suitemate was just complaining on Facebook about how her precious Mickey Mouse bag ripped while she was walking to class. She will never get it. And I don't try to explain anything Catholic to her. I wouldn't even know how to tell her I'm going on a retreat with Sisters this weekend, let alone the fact that I'm planning to enter soon God-Willing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franciscanheart Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 It would be helpful if someone could give a synopsis of this from a church history standpoint (as opposed to what the press is putting out there) and give some concise responses we could use. I imagine 'Are they allowed to do that?' and 'Has this ever happened before' would be two big questions. Yes, it is allowed. The whole thing came about in 1294 and Papa B will be one of only a few to exercise the right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papist Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 I don't have to understand why he is resigning. That is between him and the One who chose him. I trust the Holy Spirit will protect the Church. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissScripture Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 We don't know yet. There isn't any official protocol for this. We have to wait for the Vatican to tell us. My guess is that it'll still be "his holiness." From what I was told Canon 185 says that he may retain the title of Pontiff Emeritus. He will retain Benedict XVI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VeniJesuAmorMi Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 Just curious, what do we refer to him as once he has resigned? Does he become Cardinal again? Do we refer to him as Cardinal Ratzinger? It just occurred to me that I'll have no idea what to call him. I'm guessing many people are as clueless as I am about this since the last pope to resign did so in the 13th century... Father Mitch Pacwa on a special EWTN live this morning about the resignation answered this question and said that he will still be referred to as His Holiness. (I think this answers the question?) :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fr. Antony Maria OSB Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 (edited) The thing is, though, that this isn't just any other position: this is the papacy. While there are cardinals who do not have the ability to vote because of age, they are still responsible for the governance of the Church during a sede vacante. While there are bishops emeritus, they still have their ecclesiastical faculties to confect the sacraments. A pope emeritus would not have any of the papal faculties (I don't know if that's the right word), since there can only be one pope. On NBC this morning, Cardinal Dolan said that Pope Benedict's ring would be broken after his resignation takes effect. Pope Benedict will no longer have papal authority, so will he still be called Pope? I honestly don't know, but I would doubt it. Perhaps it will be something like the resignation of an abbot of a monastery? He has the ability to retain the title if he wishes, or he can return to his place in choir according to seniority. In this case, though, what his 'place in seniority would be,' I have no idea. I think someone asked earlier if Pope Benedict would have any say in the conclave. Fr. Federico Lombardi, director of the Holy See Press Office said in a statement, "Benedict XVI will have no role in next March's conclave, nor in the running of the Church during the time between popes, the time of Sede Vacante. The Apostolic Constitution gives no role in this transition to a pope who resigns." Full statement can be found here: http://visnews-en.blogspot.com/2013/02/director-of-holy-see-press-office-on.html edited because I posted before I was done, haha. Edited February 11, 2013 by NazFarmer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franciscanheart Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 From what I was told Canon 185 says that he may retain the title of Pontiff Emeritus. He will retain Benedict XVI.For the record:Can. 185 The title 'emeritus' may be conferred on one who loses office by reason of age, or of resignation which has been accepted.Thanks for that, MS! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HisChildForever Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 Alright, how do we explain it to Catholics? Because my dad keeps saying how "ridiculous" this is that "the Pope is quitting." Yes, overly dramatic. Please pray because my dad is really on his last straw. He hasn't attended Mass consecutively in months because of something that happened at his old parish. His frustration and anger at others (believe me, the emotions were extremely justified) first kept him from his parish and now he's pretty much stagnant. Yes I've invited him to mine and he's come a couple times, but he more or less told me a week ago that he just doesn't "feel anything" anymore. And now he's considering sitting in on some nondenominational speaker he found in the paper. Although he says he isn't going to "switch" it's concerning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apotheoun Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 Alright, how do we explain it to Catholics? Because my dad keeps saying how "ridiculous" this is that "the Pope is quitting." Yes, overly dramatic. Please pray because my dad is really on his last straw. He hasn't attended Mass consecutively in months because of something that happened at his old parish. His frustration and anger at others (believe me, the emotions were extremely justified) first kept him from his parish and now he's pretty much stagnant. Yes I've invited him to mine and he's come a couple times, but he more or less told me a week ago that he just doesn't "feel anything" anymore. And now he's considering sitting in on some nondenominational speaker he found in the paper. Although he says he isn't going to "switch" it's concerning. I'll be praying for your dad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r2Dtoo Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 Explaining The Resignation And Re-election To Non-catholics it would be awfully strange if out of all this Ratzinger winds up being re-elected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apotheoun Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 it would be awfully strange if out of all this Ratzinger winds up being re-elected. That would be a rather interesting outcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouisvilleFan Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 Alright, how do we explain it to Catholics? Because my dad keeps saying how "ridiculous" this is that "the Pope is quitting." Yes, overly dramatic. Please pray because my dad is really on his last straw. He hasn't attended Mass consecutively in months because of something that happened at his old parish. His frustration and anger at others (believe me, the emotions were extremely justified) first kept him from his parish and now he's pretty much stagnant. Yes I've invited him to mine and he's come a couple times, but he more or less told me a week ago that he just doesn't "feel anything" anymore. And now he's considering sitting in on some nondenominational speaker he found in the paper. Although he says he isn't going to "switch" it's concerning. Just pray. He doesn't care about the Pope. It's just something else to complain about :) Maybe the speaker will be good for him... at least he's interested in someone preach the Gospel, Catholic or not. If he's open to it, perhaps invite him to a Lenten Penance or Adoration instead of Mass... he's been to a million Masses and right now him attending is merely a heartless obligation. There's always hope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franciscanheart Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 btw, it occurs to me that we'll probably be explaining this to a lot of Catholics, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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