The Dignity of NOT Resigning

In response to The Pope and the dignity of resignation:

With all due respect to my friend, Joel Pollak, the Pope cannot be compared to dirtbag American politicians.  

The stunning resignation of Pope Benedict XVI this morning is a sucker punch to many Catholics, like myself, who were inspired by Benedict’s predecessor John Paul II who continued his papacy through a debilitating health crisis that rendered him nearly immobile.  

There were calls for JP2 to step down and he refused because he wanted to be a symbol of the dignity of life, despite the effects of diseases or afflictions like Parkinson’s Disease (which the Pope suffered from).  JP2 reminded us on a daily basis that we should not ignore and dispense with those in our society who may be unable to function in a “normal” capacity.  

At a time when the culture of death champions the despicable ideas of euthanasia and abortion, it was inspirational to see the Pope continuing his critically important work through his affliction.  Pope Benedict said in his statement (emphasis mine), “Strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me.”  Frankly, I hope that this resignation is motivated by the Holy Father’s concern over his mental capacity versus his physical capacity otherwise he risks undermining the final, powerful statement about the dignity of life demonstrated by his remarkable predecesor.