The Pope Is Quittin'

[cinepro]

While the term "release" is usually used as a synonym for death when referring to President Kimball in the book, one footnote does note:

44. Edward L. Kimball Journal, January 23, 1982. In one temple meeting President Hinckley asked Spencer whether he had anything he wanted to say. "I'd like to be released," was his poignant answer.

Lengthen Your Stride, Working Draft, Chapter 38 Page 8

[Kenngo1969]

Pretty good. Just this part:

Counselors. That brings up another distinction: The pope functions alone, in solitary majesty, as a kind of monarch. Presidents of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, however, function within a system of councils. The Quorum of the First Presidency includes not only the president himself, but at least two counselors. And they all work in conjunction with the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. And each and every one of these men, in both quorums, is sustained by the membership of the Church — and, we believe, by the Lord — as a “prophet, seer, and revelator.”

The pope does not act alone. From Lumen Gentium:

22. Just as in the Gospel, the Lord so disposing, St. Peter and the other apostles constitute one apostolic college, so in a similar way the Roman Pontiff, the successor of Peter, and the bishops, the successors of the apostles, are joined together. Indeed, the very ancient practice whereby bishops duly established in all parts of the world were in communion with one another and with the Bishop of Rome in a bond of unity, charity and peace, and also the councils assembled together, in which more profound issues were settled in common, the opinion of the many having been prudently considered, both of these factors are already an indication of the collegiate character and aspect of the episcopal order; and the ecumenical councils held in the course of centuries are also manifest proof of that same character. And it is intimated also in the practice, introduced in ancient times, of summoning several bishops to take part in the elevation of the newly elected to the ministry of the high priesthood. Hence, one is constituted a member of the episcopal body in virtue of sacramental consecration and hierarchical communion with the head and members of the body.

But the college or body of bishops has no authority unless it is understood together with the Roman Pontiff, the successor of Peter as its head. The pope's power of primacy over all, both pastors and faithful, remains whole and intact. In virtue of his office, that is as Vicar of Christ and pastor of the whole Church, the Roman Pontiff has full, supreme and universal power over the Church. And he is always free to exercise this power. The order of bishops, which succeeds to the college of apostles and gives this apostolic body continued existence, is also the subject of supreme and full power over the universal Church, provided we understand this body together with its head the Roman Pontiff and never without this head. This power can be exercised only with the consent of the Roman Pontiff. For our Lord placed Simon alone as the rock and the bearer of the keys of the Church, and made him shepherd of the whole flock; it is evident, however, that the power of binding and loosing, which was given to Peter, was granted also to the college of apostles, joined with their head. This college, insofar as it is composed of many, expresses the variety and universality of the People of God, but insofar as it is assembled under one head, it expresses the unity of the flock of Christ. In it, the bishops, faithfully recognizing the primacy and pre-eminence of their head, exercise their own authority for the good of their own faithful, and indeed of the whole Church, the Holy Spirit supporting its organic structure and harmony with moderation. The supreme power in the universal Church, which this college enjoys, is exercised in a solemn way in an ecumenical council. A council is never ecumenical unless it is confirmed or at least accepted as such by the successor of Peter; and it is prerogative of the Roman Pontiff to convoke these councils, to preside over them and to confirm them. This same collegiate power can be exercised together with the pope by the bishops living in all parts of the world, provided that the head of the college calls them to collegiate action, or at least approves of or freely accepts the united action of the scattered bishops, so that it is thereby made a collegiate act.

And this part:

Which brings up the last matter that I want to mention here: As the then-third-ranking cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church once told me and two or three others while we were in his office in Vatican City, “no pope has ever received a revelation.” But we believe that the leaders of our church both have and do. If there is ever a change — and I don’t know that there ever will be, nor that there ever should be — it will have to come by revelation.

A small but important clarification. Catholics view revelation in a different way. There is Revelation of the kind of that is doctrinal, most central is the Revelation of Jesus Christ. This type of Revelation is eternally binding and cannot change. So no, no pope would ever receive revelation that changed doctrine. There is revelation of the kind that comes from the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Pope Benedict XVI said, in his resignation address that he had prayed for guidance. All Catholics believe in the guiding revelation of the Holy Spirit. In the office of the Pope, this guidance includes the gift of the Spirit in discerning God's will for all Church matters, great and small.

Which brings me to one difference I don't see in that excellent blog post. How we perceive callings from God. Discernment of the individual is not only normal, it is expected, as all can seek the guidance from God to know His will in serving Him. The college of Cardinals will meet to elect a new Pope, which is a process of prayer, worship and discernment. When a Pope is elected, the man who is elected also discerns for himself, one that seeks to know the will of God in accepting the Cardinal's decision. He accepts freely the Papal office, and all that it entails, spiritually, physically and mentally. Cardinal Ratzinger was a man of God before his election, and accepted the will of God at the age of 78, even though he has said, he would have much preferred a quiet retirement of prayer and writing.

He also hinted a few months ago that he was always discerning what he knew his physical and mental limitations were, because of age, against the tradition of the Church to serve as Pope until death. His discernment led to his resignation, which is a shock because it just hasn't been done for so long, but also not a surprise. It is sad in a way, but we understand, as he has shown himself to be a man of compassion and duty. His resignation demonstrates both of these attributes.

A Bishop is installed to the office of pope, not ordained. Pope Benedict XVI is an ordained Bishop, which is a lifetime commitment. He is still a Bishop, albeit retired.

Edited for typos.

Fair enough.

I wonder how the whole, "Retired-but-since-succeeded" Pope and "Successor-to-the-now-retired (but still living) Pope" dynamic will play out. What if the first says something that is at odds with what the second has said/believes? While Pope Benedict will probably defer to his successor, but he's not just going to go away or disappear from public life entirely. I anticipate him still speaking (and especially still writing) on occasion. Any thoughts?

[saemo]

Fair enough.

I wonder how the whole, "Retired-but-since-succeeded" Pope and "Successor-to-the-now-retired (but still living) Pope" dynamic will play out. What if the first says something that is at odds with what the second has said/believes? While Pope Benedict will probably defer to his successor, but he's not just going to go away or disappear from public life entirely. I anticipate him still speaking (and especially still writing) on occasions. Any thoughts?

No he isn't going away but the office of pope will no longer be one that he fills. He will be living in a monastery at the Vatican, in a life of prayer. He said today he will be hidden from the world. I for one would love to see more of his writings, but it doesn't sound like that is in his plans.

[Storm Rider]

Pope Benedict XVI is a learned man who understands the need for his successor to function without any influence from a previous pope i.e. a living, retired pope. After serving a life that focused on serving humanity, he will be able to focus solely on his first love, God. This will be a new experience for all living Catholics, but I am confident that this is the type of individual who will not attempt to play puppet master from the shadows as some have indicated he would. He seeks a life of prayer; that is the beginning and end of the story.

[Stargazer]

IMO, there is a difference between turning off a switch of a life support machine and throwing the switch of an electric chair though both result in the death of the individual.

Not in the end effect.

In truth we all have a date with the Reaper. Thank goodness.

[thesometimesaint]

We all will embrace death at some point, but that doesn't mean we have to run to meet her.

[Kenngo1969]

We all will embrace death at some point, but that doesn't mean we have to run to meet her.

Quite so.

[Kenngo1969]

No he isn't going away but the office of pope will no longer be one that he fills. He will be living in a monastery at the Vatican, in a life of prayer. He said today he will be hidden from the world. I for one would love to see more of his writings, but it doesn't sound like that is in his plans.

It's hard enough, sometimes, to deal with the public declarations of the LDS Brethren which seem to be at odds. Sometimes, the favorite pastime of the more "learned" among us is "dueling authorities": "So-and-so of the Seventy said such-and-such." "Oh, yeah? Well, so-and-so said such-and-such, and he's a member of the Twelve!" Sometimes, someone will attempt to "up the ante" with an allegedly off-the-record statement from one or the other. I'll defer to those more "in-the-know" if they say that there'll never be a case of a Cardinal speaking with the Pope Emeritus and reporting something he allegedly said which appears to be at odds with the pronouncements of the current Pope, but I do wonder how unlikely it is, since that's not to say that it couldn't happen.

[saemo]

It's hard enough, sometimes, to deal with the public declarations of the LDS Brethren which seem to be at odds. Sometimes, the favorite pastime of the more "learned" among us is "dueling authorities": "So-and-so of the Seventy said such-and-such." "Oh, yeah? Well, so-and-so said such-and-such, and he's a member of the Twelve!" Sometimes, someone will attempt to "up the ante" with an allegedly off-the-record statement from one or the other. I'll defer to those more "in-the-know" if they say that there'll never be a cases of a Cardinal speaking with the Pope Emeritus and reporting something he allegedly said which appears to be at odds with the pronouncements of the current Pope, but I do wonder how unlikely it is, since that's not to say that it couldn't happen.

Disagreement between individuals in Catholicism isn't all that earth shattering. Doctrines cannot change. The scriptures, catechism and code of canon law are like the constitutional framework of the Church, but there is wide space for individual viewpoints. The church is led by a college of Bishops. I can't imagine they are all like some cookie cutter version of Pope Benedict XVI. If an indivual sought his input, and then later made a decision that seemed to be in disagreement, I wouldn't view that has something gone amiss. It is ok in Catholicism to make your own decision.