Should the Pope resign?

[FightingFalcon]

First off, lemme say that I posted this here because I'm not sure where else it should go. 101 if you think it belongs somewhere else, feel free to move it.

Now, lemme also say that I realize how sacrosanct the position of the Pope is. You can't just "resign" like a CEO of a company or anything. You are the Vicar of Christ, appointed by God to rule over His people. However, there comes a point when you have to put the good of the flock over the age-old traditions of the Church.

I am bringing this up for a simple reason - the pope is too ill to preside over the Good Friday Mass which is, obviously, this Friday. So he appointed someone else to carry out the Mass for him. I can only imagine what will happen on Easter Sunday but he will probably need a replacement there as well.

My question is, is the pope in a mental/physical state to serve the Catholic Church? Is there a precedent of having a pope resign for physical incapacitation? Would a resignation be warranted then? IMHO, its time for the pope to resign. He has been one of the best that the modern Church has had and will most likely go down as a Saint but that doesn't negate the fact that he can no longer properly serve the Church.

What about ya'll? Now please - for the sake of this board, just stick to the question. If this degrades into a "religion is opium for the masses *cough* packer *cough*" debate, I'll ask 101 to lock it.

[101ABN]

It seemed appropriate to move this here.

Not being Catholic, I don't know if there is a precedent for when a Pope is incapacitated and unable to fulfill his duties.

My sense is that his Holiness, John Paul will not be with us much longer.

Certainly he is surrounded by a corps of Cardinals, any one of whom can officiate at the Masses during Holy Week.

As to the business of the Church, they've been doing this for a couple of millenia and probably have it down to a science.

He has been a devout servant of God and the Church and I will keep him in my prayers until he passes.

[packer]

Well Falcon, per the Schiavo case, why not let President Bush and the scummy mental midgets in our Congress make the decision?

[101ABN]

packer said:

Well Falcon, per the Schiavo case, why not let President Bush and the scummy mental midgets in our Congress make the decision?

I believe that would be a violation of the establishment clause.

[FightingFalcon]

101ABN said:

It seemed appropriate to move this here.

Not being Catholic, I don't know if there is a precedent for when a Pope is incapacitated and unable to fulfill his duties.

My sense is that his Holiness, John Paul will not be with us much longer.

Certainly he is surrounded by a corps of Cardinals, any one of whom can officiate at the Masses during Holy Week.

As to the business of the Church, they've been doing this for a couple of millenia and probably have it down to a science.

He has been a devout servant of God and the Church and I will keep him in my prayers until he passes.

Without a doubt 101, he's the best pope we have had in the 20th/21st Centuries. I know you have to perform a miracle in order to be made a Saint, but IMHO he should be made one anyway. He has been a great leader for Catholics world-wide and is an inspiration to people of all faiths.

I pray for His Holiness' speedy recovery so that he may lead us as he has in the past.

[FightingFalcon]

packer said:

Well Falcon, per the Schiavo case, why not let President Bush and the scummy mental midgets in our Congress make the decision?

Perhaps if a group of Cardinals decided that they were going to murder the pope, that would be warranted....

[101ABN]

packer said:

Well Falcon, per the Schiavo case, why not let President Bush and the scummy mental midgets in our Congress make the decision?

American courts and Congress have no jurisdiction in the Vatican.