Bishop's Blog

Monday, February 11, 2013

Pope Resigns

Official Vatican Release:
DECLARATIO

Dear Brothers,
I have convoked you to this Consistory, not only for the three canonizations, but also to communicate to you a decision of great importance for the life of the Church. After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, 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.  I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering. However, in today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the barque of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both 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. For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is.
Dear Brothers, I thank you most sincerely for all the love and work with which you have supported me in my ministry and I ask pardon for all my defects.  And now, let us entrust the Holy Church to the care of Our Supreme Pastor, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and implore his holy Mother Mary, so that she may assist the Cardinal Fathers with her maternal solicitude, in electing a new Supreme Pontiff. With regard to myself, I wish to also devotedly serve the Holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer.
From the Vatican, 10 February 2013
BENEDICTUS PP XVI

© Copyright 2013 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana

Official Catholic Diocese of Peoria Release:


NEWS RELEASE
Catholic Diocese of Peoria
February 11, 2013
Contact:
Monsignor James Kruse
Vicar General
Catholic Diocese of Peoria
309.671.1550
Pope Announces Resignation, Response of the Catholic Diocese of Peoria
For Immediate Release
Peoria, Illinois- 
After hearing the news that Pope Benedict XVI announced he
would resign his ministry on February 28th, the Most Reverend Daniel Jenky,
C.S.C, Bishop of Peoria was shocked: “I was completely surprised when I heard
the news.” These are truly historic times and without recent precedent. When
reading the pope’s official statement, Jenky was moved by the Holy Father’s deep
faith in Christ and love for the Church. The resignation of Pope Benedict will be a
great loss to the Church.
Jenky has had the privilege of meeting Pope Benedict many times including his ad
limina visit in February 2012. With each visit he was moved by the Pope’s
brilliance, wisdom and holiness. Jenky reflected that over the last few months, the
Holy Father has looked a bit more tired. This announcement confirmed this.
Jenky called upon all Catholics and people of good will to pray for the Holy
Father’s health and the guidance of the Holy Spirit as a new pope is elected.
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