VERITAS IN
CHARITATE
H.E. CARD. JOSE
SARAIVA MARTINS, C.M.F.Prefect Emeritus
of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints
Cardinal-Bishop of
the Suburbicarian Church of Palestrina
Even
though the news was unexpected the Cardinal says that Paul VI and even John
Paul II also considered the possibility of stepping down.
“When I received the news I was very serene,
very calm. It's quite clear that he made the decision freely. He even explained
the reasons why he came to this conclusion, so it wasn't something spontaneous.
He simply recognized that in the last few months, his physical energy had
diminished. He decided that the best thing to do for the Church was to resign.
If we take a look at his predecessors, they
also considered leaving office. Paul VI thought about it and even created a
commission of Canon Law experts, to study the possibility. They advised him not
to, because they thought a resignation could have a psychological effect
on his successor and vice versa. John Paul II also thought about stepping
down, but he was advised not to and he didn't.
The idea of having a Pope resign isn't new. Benedict
XVI's predecessors decided not to resign, because they thought it wasn't the
best thing for the Church at that time. But Canon Law does allow it.”
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