Pope’s Abdication doesn’t Impact Local Churches

• By admin
• 18 February, 2013
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Pope Benedicts XVI unexpected retirement plans have not affected Catholics in Oklahoma like it has some throughout the world.

According to Footnoting History, the last papal abdication was nearly 600 years ago, in 1471.

According to Pope Benedict XVI speech given to his cardinals at the Vatican on February, 13, 2013 the pope abdicated his position due to his health.

“I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry,” said Pope Benedict XVI.

According to an NPR report, some Catholics around the world are feeling abandoned by the pope’s announcement.

Most reports have been supportive and understanding.

Many Tulsa Catholics look at this as a reasonable reason to step down.

“I think it was a smart decision,” said Dr. Maureen Crotty, member of the Church of Saint Mary in Tulsa, Okla. “I think that if your health gets in the way of you doing your job it’s your responsibility to step down. It was good. We all think it was wise.”

The Pope made his announcement on Ash Wednesday, which could have had a great impact on church members.

“He had recently suffered a head injury and had been having health issues,” said Crotty. “This is just when it happened. I don’t think there was any correlation to Ash Wednesday.”

The local smasses haven’t altered much since the Pope’s announcement.

“We have added the cardinal to our prayers, but that’s about it,” said Crotty. “We pray for their wisdom during this time.”

There is much speculation over who the next pope could be, but according to the Associated Press, most agree it will not be an American.

“American has too much influence throughout the world,” said Crotty. “We are too liberal in the eyes of the Church. I think it will be good for the leader of the Church to be more traditional.”

< a href="http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/02/16/vatican-says-conclave-to-elect-the-next-pope-could-be-moved-up/">According to Associated Press, the Vatican would like to announce the new Pope by March 17, 2013.

“The cardinals pick the next pope,” said Crotty. “We just all have to accept that.”