Word is spreading like wildfire via media outlets the world over that Benedict the Abdicator has issued a rare public statement in the form of a letter that was delivered to the Italian newspaper, Corriere della Sera, making the announcement that “inwardly” he is “on a pilgrimage Home.”
In other words, the 90 year old Pope Contemplatus has informed the world that he is living out the last portion of his life on earth.
Stop the presses!
All I can say is that it must be a slow news week.
In no way did Benedict indicate that he is on death’s doorstep, as if to alert those who will no doubt see to it that he is swiftly canonized.
On the contrary, he spoke of “the slow decline of physical strength,” that he described as being “sometimes a little tiring.”
Get that?
He is slowly growing physically weaker and finds himself a little tired at times.
That makes perfect sense, does it not?
As for the letter itself, it is beautifully written, cogent and to the point; qualities that attest to the mental acuity of its author.
What does not make any sense whatsoever – at least to those with eyes to see – is that this is the same man who nearly five years ago (that’s half-a-decade!) announced to the world that he must renounce the papacy (more specifically, a portion thereof), declaring:
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.
So, in February of 2013, Benedict told the world that his physical and mental strength had “deteriorated” rather suddenly; over “the last few months.”
Now, some five years later, a mentally sharp Benedict is telling us that he is weakening “slowly” and growing a “little tired.”
Every time Benedict has entered a text into the public record since his departure, he reveals all the more clearly that all is not what it appears to be.
Now that, my friends, is the real news.
We must pray for Benedict; not so much because death is drawing relatively near, but because of the gravity of his misdeeds.
Yes, he needs the prayers of which I speak just like everyone else.
But unlike everyone else – unlike anyone else – this is a man who used his position as Prefect of the CDF to lend credibility to the magnificent cover-up operation of the year 2000 concerning the Third Secret of Fatima.
He also happens to be the man who singlehandedly turned the Office of Peter upside down in an unprecedented way thanks to his so-called “resignation.”
In both instances, there is reason to believe that he was pressured into acting, and perhaps this will in some way limit his culpability. The Lord alone will decide.
For our part, we would do well to imagine what that terrifying day might be like when Josef Ratzinger stands before the Just Judge to answer for the devastating blows he delivered against the Church; leaving a legacy of lost souls in his wake.
May God have mercy on him.
At least JP2 suffered his last years with a modicum of dignity. Ratzinger seems to be trying to justify his abdication with these calls of his impending demise that never seem to materialize. It seems very odd and perhaps Ratzinger has no control over any of these announcements.
Emeritus Benedict XVI, has been blessed with a long life. By the ‘grace’ from a very patient and loving and merciful Father, Who Art in Heaven….. Who has granted Emeritus, the long last five years +++ for the examination of his conscience…..to repent. Miserere!
Pray that Fr. Ratzinger converts to the Catholic Faith and quickly condemns Francis and Vatican II before he dies.
Pope Benedict quote from that article as read in CNN:
I was moved by the many readers of your newspaper who desire to know how I am spending this last period of my life. I can only say that in the slow waning of my physical forces, inwardly I am on a pilgrimage towards Home. It is a great grace for me to be surrounded, on this last part of the road, sometimes a bit tiring, by such love and goodness that I never could have imagined…”
To me this is unimaginable.
Where is he living? Who is surrounding him? Is this accurate? Did he even write this?
So forced, so fake, too much.
¨But unlike everyone else – unlike anyone else – this is a man who used his position as Prefect of the CDF to lend credibility to the magnificent cover-up operation of the year 2000 concerning the Third Secret of Fatima. He also happens to be the man who singlehandedly turned the Office of Peter upside down in an unprecedented way thanks to his so-called “resignation.”
In both instances, there is reason to believe that he was pressured into acting, and perhaps this will in some way limit his culpability. ¨
Fr Ratzinger was also a periti AT THE SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL. He was certainly not pressured into taking part in that.
He’s definitely got a lifetime’s worth of atoning to do and he has to answer for much….I wouldn’t trade places with him with my pathetic soul for anything….
He lives across the Vatican gardens from Borgoglio and gorgeous George attends to both of them.