It is not a surprise to the catholic faithful to
know that Pope Benedict is very conservative and he doesn’t want anyone of
progressive thinking to take a lead role.
The two decisions that he took yesterday make me
think a little more critically and to approve those decisions in my heart is
very difficult. After announcing his decision to quit the papacy and just
before the date of the end of his office, hurriedly he made these.
What I am referring to are the matter of
accelerating the already decided resignation of the lone cardinal from England
on March 17th to February 25th and then changing the rule of the conclave
allowing to meet immediately after the resignation of the pope. He has the
power to do that but the timing and the intention behind it is very dubious.
Just two days before Cardinal Keith O’Brien
announced that the new pope should allow priests to marry citing his reasons
and said that he would initiate a discussion on this matter among other
Cardinals when he reaches Rome on March 1st. he also said that he has not
decided on anyone as the next pope. He is the lone representative of the
mainland British Catholics. Now pope
anticipated the already decided date of his resignation based on some ‘sexual
allegation’ from March 17th to yesterday.
Then the second decision to anticipate the
conclave without any delay was announced on the same day.
My subjective conclusions are that Pope Benedict,
who remained as the strong opponent of any progressiveness and dedicated his
whole life for the rules and traditions of the church without initiating any
deliberations on the issues church faces in this century, doesn’t want any
progressive ideas being discussed among the carefully selected cardinals
according to his plan through any progressive thinking person. This cardinal
Keith O’Brien’s absence can guarantee no such moves and by the anticipation of
the conclave he makes sure that no extra days are given for further reflections.
Till his last breath he tries his best
to delay the much awaited solutions to the various issues.
My only prayer is to wait and see whether at least
this time Holy Spirit will intervene or not.
What Cardinal O’Brien said? -
"the celibacy of the clergy, whether priests
should marry – Jesus didn't say that."
"many priests have found it very difficult to
cope with celibacy," and while he had never considered marriage himself,
"I would be very happy if others had the opportunity of considering
whether or not they could or should get married."
"we know at the present time in some branches
of the church – in some branches of the Catholic church – priests can get
married, so that is obviously not of divine origin and it could get discussed
again."
"open to a pope from anywhere if I thought it
was the right man, whether it was Europe or Asia or Africa or wherever."
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