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Soon, we will have a new pope.
From CNN:The work to elect a successor to retired Pope Benedict XVI begins in earnest Tuesday, when the cardinals charged with the task gather in Vatican City for the papal conclave.
Just a few hours after moving into Santa Marta, their residence at the Vatican for the duration of the process, the cardinals will start the day with a morning Mass at St. Peter's Basilica.
The service -- open to the public -- will be the last public event featuring the 115 cardinals who will choose the new spiritual leader of the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics.
Cardinals taking part in the process will then walk to the Sistine Chapel, chanting prayers as they go, to begin the secret election called the conclave.
After that, the only clue the world will have of what is happening inside will be periodic puffs of smoke from a copper chimney installed over the weekend in the Sistine Chapel.
Black smoke, no pope. White smoke, success.
Cardinal Dolan invites us to join him in a novena to Saint Joseph.In my blog post this past Wednesday, I invited you to join me in a novena of prayer to Saint Joseph, asking him and his virgin-wife to look after the whole Church and get us an inspired successor to Saint Peter. I thought I should probably provide you with the wording of the novena prayer to Saint Joseph, and I renew my invitation to you to offer it beginning March 11, and concluding on the Feast of Saint Joseph, March 19. (Where the prayer indicates that you should mention your request, please feel free to phrase it in your own words!)
Novena prayer to Saint Joseph
Saint Joseph, you are the faithful protector and intercessor of all who love and venerate you. I have special confidence in you. You are powerful with God and will never abandon your faithful servants. I humbly invoke you and commend myself, with all who are dear to me, to your intercession. By the love you have for Jesus and Mary, do not abandon me during life, and assist me at the hour of my death.
Glorious Saint Joseph, spouse of the immaculate Virgin, Foster-father of Jesus Christ, obtain for me a pure, humble, and charitable mind, and perfect resignation to the Divine Will. Be my guide, my father, and my model through life that I may merit to die as you did in the arms of Jesus and Mary.
Loving Saint Joseph, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, I raise my heart to you to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly the grace of a happy death, and the special grace I now implore: (Mention your request). Guardian of the Word Incarnate, I am confident that your prayers on my behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God.
I awoke to breaking news. What had happened to Pope Benedict?
He decided to resign???
I feared he suffered some catastrophic health crisis that would prompt him to make such a dramatic move, one not done in nearly 600 YEARS.
No, it wasn't that.
Why would the Pope, who just starting tweeting to the faithful two months ago, suddenly step aside?
Read: "The unexpected announcement that rang out in the Concistory Hall"
From John Moody, FOX News:He never had a chance.
From the moment he appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s on April 19, 2005, to greet the faithful, Benedict XVI faced an insurmountable problem: He was not John Paul II.
Benedict’s decision to resign the papacy is being blamed on his age – nearly 86 – and his health – never robust. He might just as well have been diagnosed with a broken papal heart.
Because his nearly eight years on the Throne of the Fisherman never really produced the results he hoped for. He did not unite the conservative and progressive wings of the Catholic Church. He did not re-establish its place in Europe, the work of a previous Pope Benedict and the reason he took that name. Nor did he expand its foothold in Asia, cement its dominance in Latin America, or make serious inroads in Africa. And he did not bring to fruition the ecumenical understanding with other major faiths that he hoped would bloom during his reign.
...Benedict’s meek initial outings were public relations meltdowns. His smile, though genuine, looked somehow sinister, as if he were about to bite his audience. Determined to restore the Church’s luster in Europe, where it is often treated like a dotty old aunt, Benedict gave a lecture in Regensburg, Germany, in 2006 that appeared to denigrate Islam. The non-Catholic world howled; the Vatican cringed and apologized.
On his first visit to the U.S. as pope, Benedict offered contrite apologies for the Church’s ham-handed treatment of the U.S. church’s sex scandal involving its priests. Even the pope’s humble mien did not satisfy some, who pronounced him cold and unfeeling toward the plight of victims of clergy abuse. He joined the Twitterati, but his first attempt was a sterile: “I am pleased to get in touch with you through Twitter. I bless all of you from my heart.” At least he stayed under 140 characters.
In nearly eight years, Benedict issued three encyclicals – direct messages to the faithful that often reveal a pope’s enthusiasms and interests. Benedict’s first – entitled “God is Love” -- is a caressing, simply worded, logic-based reassurance that our Lord loves us. Yet even his writing about love suffers in comparison with John Paul’s towering, intellectual yet intimate canon of work.
None of which lessens Benedict’s place in the line of Vicars of Christ. His decision to resign was a brave one, based on personal humility, in keeping with his message to the faithful that the things of Earth are transient, but the promise of heaven lasting and infinite. For that he should be remembered.
I think that's a rather unfair assessment. Moody makes Pope Benedict sound like a failure, let alone being lost in Pope John Paul II's shadow.
Catholics had spent years watching Pope John Paul II's health decline. He was no less loved and respected.
Yes, Pope Benedict was an old man when he began his papacy. No rational person could have expected him to have the vigor of the young John Paul.
For a much more accurate assessment of Pope Benedict's legacy, here's the statement from Cardinal Timothy Dolan on Pope Benedict's resignation on Febraury 28:The Holy Father brought the tender heart of a pastor, the incisive mind of a scholar and the confidence of a soul united with His God in all he did. His resignation is but another sign of his great care for the Church. We are sad that he will be resigning but grateful for his eight years of selfless leadership as successor of St. Peter.
Though 78 when he elected pope in 2005, he set out to meet his people – and they were of all faiths – all over the world. He visited the religiously threatened – Jews, Muslims and Christians in the war-torn Middle East, the desperately poor in Africa, and the world’s youth gathered to meet him in Australia, Germany, and Spain.
He delighted our beloved United States of America when he visited Washington and New York in 2008. As a favored statesman he greeted notables at the White House. As a spiritual leader he led the Catholic community in prayer at Nationals Park, Yankee Stadium and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. As a pastor feeling pain in a stirring, private meeting at the Vatican nunciature in Washington, he brought a listening heart to victims of sexual abuse by clerics.
Pope Benedict often cited the significance of eternal truths and he warned of a dictatorship of relativism. Some values, such as human life, stand out above all others, he taught again and again. It is a message for eternity.
He unified Catholics and reached out to schismatic groups in hopes of drawing them back to the church. More unites us than divides us, he said by word and deed. That message is for eternity.
He spoke for the world’s poor when he visited them and wrote of equality among nations in his peace messages and encyclicals. He pleaded for a more equitable share of world resources and for a respect for God’s creation in nature.
Those who met him, heard him speak and read his clear, profound writings found themselves moved and changed. In all he said and did he urged people everywhere to know and have a personal encounter with Jesus Christ.
The occasion of his resignation stands as an important moment in our lives as citizens of the world. Our experience impels us to thank God for the gift of Pope Benedict. Our hope impels us to pray that the College of Cardinals under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit choose a worthy successor to meet the challenges present in today’s world.
I am stunned that Pope Benedict would make this announcement now, given that he hasn't suffered a dramatic, sudden decline in health.
We are just two days away from the beginning of Lent and the holiest of days.
I don't know why he would leave at this time. Why not wait until after Easter?
There's an uncertainty that is disquieting.
Hey, Catholics, we're giving up the Pope for Lent!
This makes me sad and uncomfortable. It's all just so odd.
I don't want him to step aside. However, I trust it is the right decision. I believe Pope Benedict's resignation is a selfless, brave act. He obviously feels he lacks the stamina to do what's best for the flock. I suppose what he wants and needs to do doesn't match what he's physically able to do.
I wonder what his role will be after the next pope is elected. That's uncharted territory. I'm sure this humble man won't seek the spotlight or in any way undercut the new pope's authority.
This is really weird.
I'll miss Pope Benedict. He's a gentle, wise, loving, holy man. He was no failure in my eyes.
As Cardinal Dolan wrote, I thank God for the gift of Pope Benedict. ________________
Read Cardinal Egan's statement on the Resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.________________
Not surprisingly, the Catholic bashing is running rampant today.
CNN Uses Resignation News to Trash Pope, Catholic Church
Celebrities Pile on Pope Benedict XVI in Resignation Wake
At his news conference on Wednesday, Obama insisted the American people gave him a mandate to pursue his agenda.
Is Obama really that delusional?
Does his failure to acknowledge that half the country voted for Mitt Romney to be the president, making the mandate claim absurd, point to his arrogance?
Whatever, Obama's second term isn't going to be smooth sailing. He needs to admit that reality.
The divisiveness he campaigned on is going to come back to bite him.
His oppression of Catholics isn't going to be accepted by Church leaders.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan realizes Catholics must fight Obama's war on the Church and religious liberty in general.
From Dr. Susan Berry, Breitbart's Big Government:Dolan asserted that the Church will not comply with the mandate that requires most employers, even those affiliated with religious organizations, to provide free contraception, sterilization, and abortifacients through health insurance plans.
“The only thing we’re certainly not prepared to do is give in,” Dolan said at a news conference. “Not violate our consciences, and not obey what we consider to be something immoral. That we’re committed on.”
Dozens of Catholic dioceses and other Catholic organizations have filed lawsuits in federal courts over the mandate, which is included in ObamaCare.
Though Cardinal Dolan admitted the bishops waited until after Election Day to see if the results of the election could change the health care requirements, he said, “now I think the bishops have taken a deep breath and said, we better get back to work and decide just what we are going to do.”
Dolan stated that though the Church is still willing to work with the administration, “I would say no door is closed except for the door to capitulation.”
I am so thankful for leaders like Cardinal Dolan.
He's not surrendering to Obama. He won't accept his assault on our fundamental freedom to exercise our religion. He won't give in.
As a Catholic, the results of the presidential election have been difficult for me to process.
Catholics chose Obama over Mitt Romney.
The fact is Mitt Romney acts like a better Catholic than most Catholics in America.
Overwhelmingly, Hispanic Catholics voted for the most radical pro-abortion president in American history.
In spite of Obama's assault on the BILL OF RIGHTS and religious liberty, targeting Catholics, Hispanic Catholics voted for Obama.
Although Romney won among white Catholics, many of them also ignored Obama's stunning extremism on abortion and his attack on one of our fundamental freedoms, choosing to vote for Obama.
Obama waged war on the Catholic Church in America and he still won the Catholic vote.
He bet on the fact that most Catholics' faith is not a priority in their lives, and he won. He was right.
I'm shaken by that.Latino Catholics: Immigration, Not Religion, Decided Vote
The Catholic Vote Went to Obama Over Romney Despite Contraception & Religious Freedom Debates
Despite HHS mandate, Catholic voters narrowly favor Obama over Romney
Most Catholics vote for Obama, but Latinos and whites divided
Reuters/Ipsos exit polling found that 51 percent of Catholics favored President Barack Obama, compared with 48 percent for Republican contender Mitt Romney. A report by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life had a similar finding, with 50 percent of Catholics for Obama and 48 percent for Romney, the same as the popular vote in the general population.
Hispanic Catholics were far more likely to favor Obama - by 76 percent to 23 percent - than white Catholics, who favored Romney by 56 percent to 43 percent, according to the Reuters poll. Black Protestants favored Obama by 97 percent to 3 percent, while white Protestants favored Romney by 69 percent compared to 29 percent for Obama.
"When you talk about Catholics, there are really two Catholic votes, the white vote and the Hispanic vote, which look starkly different," said Robert Jones, chief executive of the Public Religion Research Institute. He said exit polls found that overall, voters were focused mainly on economic issues.
This election year saw strong advocacy on the conservative side of some issues by Catholic bishops, which caused discomfort for liberal Catholics. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops protested the Obama administration's health care mandate which requires Catholic hospitals and colleges to carry insurance that provides free contraception as a violation of religious liberty.
...The bishops' stands did not seem to have much influence on the vote, said Jones. Catholic attitudes on the healthcare mandate were unchanged in March and September polls, despite advocacy by church leaders.
"If the (Republican Party) has some reflecting to do about its inability to reach an increasingly multicultural country, Catholic leaders could benefit from similar soul searching when it comes to their own diverse flock," said John Gehring, Catholic program director at Faith in Public Life, a liberal advocacy group.
Liberal John Gehring believes the Republican Party and Catholic leaders need to bend to fit his agenda, one that does not include respect for LIFE and respect for the CONSTITUTION, religious liberty.
I completely disagree.
Catholic leaders are failing, but not because they need to "soul search" their way to mirroring the majority of voters self-identified as Catholics. The leaders are failing because they aren't communicating as they should. So much of Catholic teaching is ignored.
It seems many priests are comfortable with that, avoiding issues that are controversial.
Yes, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki, and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops did take on Obama and his abuse of Catholics' freedom. They are to be commended for that. They issued strong statements expressing their concerns and organized efforts to raise of awareness of Obama's abuse.
But that's pretty much where it stopped.
While at Mass this weekend, I was thinking about how little is said by priests to guide Church members when it comes to practicing our faith in a way that reflects Catholic teaching.
There seems to be a great effort not to offend, a lot of sitting on the fence. There's a certain cowardice that is disturbing.
I was sitting in the pew, truly troubled about the lack of backbone, the weekly sins of omission that occur at Mass during the homily.
I'm still really upset about the results of the election. I'm fearful about the future. I was hoping for change, for things to get better for my family and friends, to get back on track. Adding to my uncertainty is how I feel about my Church.
To say I'm disillusioned is an understatement.
Mitt Romney was terrific at the Alfred Smith Dinner in New York City last night.
This notion that he's stiff and incapable of laughing at a joke, let alone successfully telling one, has been completely destroyed.
Romney made fun of himself and Obama.
Listen carefully on the video. You can hear Cardinal Timothy Dolan's distinctive, infectious laugh.
Romney had a lot of funny lines. I liked this one about the press:MITT ROMNEY: Now, I'd never suggest that the press is biased. I recognize they have their job to do and I have my job to do. My job is to lay out a positive vision for the future of the country, and their job is to make sure no one else finds out about it.
I love that. His delivery was perfect.
Here's another good one about the press:MITT ROMNEY: I've already seen early reports from tonight's dinner. Headline: 'Obama embraced by Catholics, Romney dines with rich people.'
Cardinal Dolan can be heard really laughing at that.
About the Catholic Church:MITT ROMNEY: Of course, the president has put his own stamp on relations with the Church. There have been some awkward moments, like when the president pulled Pope Benedict aside to share some advice on how to deal with his critics. He said, 'Look, Holy Father, whatever the problem is, just blame it on Pope John Paul II.'
Cardinal Dolan enjoyed that one, too.
Romney ended his remarks with some very gracious words of respect and admiration for Obama. Here's complete video of Romney's remarks:
Mitt Romney and Obama shared the stage last night at the Al Smith Dinner at New York's Waldorf Astoria Hotel.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan sat between the two presidential candidates.
Both Romney and Obama made jokes at the expense of each other and themselves.
Obama told a good one about Chris Matthews. OBAMA:This is the third time that Governor Romney and I have met recently. As some of you may have noticed, I had a lot more energy in our second debate. I felt really well rested after the nice long nap I had in the first debate. Although it turns out millions of Americans focused in on the second debate who didn't focus in on the first debate, and I happen to be one of them. I particularly want to apologize to Chris Matthews. Four years ago, I gave him a thrill up his leg. This time around, I gave him a stroke.
Here's video of Obama's remarks:Watch video of Mitt Romney's remarks here.
