To put this in context, it should be noted that Cardinal Danneels is widely considered a progressive bishop not always comfortable with Papal teaching.
“It would not surprise me if the Pope were to retire after 2000,” Cardinal Danneels writes in his new book, Frankly Speaking: Conversations with The Cardinal, “He wanted at all costs to reach the Jubilee 2000, but I consider him capable of retiring afterward.”
Though this quote may seem provocative at first glance, when you cut through all the Church-speak it’s downright irresponsible. It’s akin to telling a couple on their 30th anniversary: “Congratulations! I know how desperately you wanted to reach this milestone, but now you should consider going your separate ways.”
With all due respect, Your Eminence, who made you the Pope’s retirement coordinator? While Canon Law does in fact permit Papal retirement, that choice is the Pope’s alone and must be decided freely. Thus, coercion from the peanut gallery is rather inappropriate.
Apparently the Vatican agrees. Reacting to the Cardinal’s retirement talk, Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said, “This is the personal opinion of Cardinal Danneels, that we do not confirm.”
Of course they don’t confirm it. Look at the year the Holy Father has had! How many 80 year-olds do you know who can personally meet hundreds of people each day, conduct curial meetings, pray fervently, celebrate public Masses for hundreds of thousands, and host diplomatic meetings with world leaders — sometimes all in the same day?
Many a man half his age would collapse under the weight of such a schedule. Rather than trying to shuffle him off to retirement oblivion, the pope’s Cardinals should instead be saluting this great man’s inspiring witness during the past year. As one who has covered all the major Jubilee events this year, I can personally testify to the pope’s presence and power as being nothing short of miraculous. Shame on anyone who would say otherwise.
It is interesting how delicately the Cardinal put forward his suggestion — I mean opinion. Look at the language. “It would not surprise me if the pope were to retire,” he wrote. Well, it would not surprise me if the Pope bungee-jumped from the dome of St. Peter’s, but it isn’t going to happen.
“I consider him capable of retiring,” the Cardinal continued. What does that mean? I consider many a bishop capable of supporting the Pope regardless of their personal opinions, but what we consider and what actually transpires are often at odds.
There is nothing original about this retirement chatter. Readers of this column will remember that Bishop Karl Lehmann, head of the German Bishop’s Conference, told radio listeners earlier this year that he believed the Pope would resign if he felt he could not fulfill the obligations of his office.
These retirement enthusiasts, quite incredibly, seem to forget the spiritual dimension of the pontificate. The pope is a man who, according to Church teaching, is divinely chosen by the Holy Spirit to lead His Church. The authority of every bishop and Cardinal comes through the person of this man and the Church he leads. Unnecessarily speculating that the pope’s frail health could compromise the Church, or that his inability to communicate could endanger the administration of the Church (as was recently suggested in the New York Times) only serves to erode the credibility of the institution.
Have they forgotten about this little thing called faith? Either the Holy Spirit chose this man to lead the Church, or he did not. If He did not, why follow his lead at all? If He did, shouldn’t we all maintain the faith that the Holy Spirit will protect both his person and the Church he leads? If there is genuine concern about the Pope, the action of prayer would seem preferable to wild speculation.
Obviously, these retirement pleas are meant to reshape public opinion. Otherwise, why would people be saying such things in public? This is wishful thinking on the part of those who for whatever reason take issue with John Paul II and his message. Rather than directly criticizing the Pope, this is a way to subtely undermine his authority. The implication is clear: “The pope is old and frail. Why should we continue to follow him?”
Ironically, the eagerness of some to have the the Holy Father step aside is evidence that he is having an impact, particularly among the young. Far from being a liability, his frailty only strengthens his witness and lends an authenticity to his message that is the envy of leaders around the world. This week the Slavic Pope became the sixth longest reigning pope in history. As John Paul II moves into his 23rd year as Pontiff he is more compelling, more powerful, and more revered than at any other time in his pontificate. Far from retreating, expect to see this great leader carry the Church into 2001 and beyond. Let us pray it will be so.
