(FOX19) -
Cincinnati Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr had this reaction to
the resignation of the Holy Father:
"In announcing his resignation, Pope Benedict XVI has
acted humbly and unselfishly for the good of the Church. That same spirit has
characterized his entire life of service.
"I will always remember Pope Benedict as he
described himself on the day of his election as pope in 2005 – ‘a simple,
humble laborer in the vineyard of the Lord.' When I was in Rome during the
period that he was a prominent cardinal, I frequently would see him in St.
Peter's Square, mingling with the crowds in the simple black cassock of a
priest. Often he was asked by groups of tourists, undoubtedly assuming that he
was one of the local priests, to take their picture. This he would do willingly
and with a generous smile.
"In my several encounters with him I found this
brilliant theologian to be unfailingly kind, hospitable and welcoming.
Ultimately he was a very pastoral man who won the hearts of all Americans on
his pastoral visit to the United States in 2008. I will be forever grateful to
him for naming me Archbishop of Cincinnati.
"Along with the Church around the world I pray for his
health and happiness in retirement."
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati is the 38th
largest Catholic diocese in the country, with almost 500,000 Catholics, and has
the seventh largest network of Catholic schools in terms of enrollment.
This is a statement from Covington Bishop Roger J. Foys:
"This morning our Holy Father Benedict XVI, in his own
words, communicated "a decision of great importance for the life of the
Church." That decision is that as of February 28, 2013 Pope Benedict
XVI will "renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of St.
Peter."
"The Holy Father gives as his reason for this decision
that his "strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an
adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry." His reason is clear and
forthright and speaks of a great integrity on his part and should be taken and
understood as presented.
"Pope Benedict has been a faithful son of the Church
and has labored long and hard in the vineyard of the Lord. He has met
challenges and criticism with firm faith in the Lord. In his statement
the Holy Father acknowledges that he is "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." He has borne that
suffering in an exemplary way in these difficult times in which we live when
almost everything is questioned and even absolute truth, even the immutable
truths of our Faith, is called into doubt and moral relativism is the order of
the day.
"Although his pontificate is not a long one in terms of
years it is without a doubt a productive one. His pastoral visits, his
Apostolic Letters, the books he authored, his declaration of the Year of Faith
– all these and more have had a profound effect on the life of the
Church. I will always remember fondly my own meetings with the Holy
Father on the various occasions of my visits to the Vatican and especially
during my ad limina visit last year at this time. Our Holy Father always
received me kindly and always promised prayers for us in Covington while at the
same time asking for our prayers for him.
"We pray that the Holy Father may have the peace that
comes from being faithful to the Lord, His Word and His Church and thank him
for the example he has been to us all."
House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) issued the following
statement regarding the decision announced today by Pope Benedict XVI:
"The prayers and gratitude of American Catholics are
with Pope Benedict XVI today. The Holy Father's decision displays
extraordinary humility and love for the Church, two things that have been the
hallmarks of his service. Americans were inspired by his visit to the
United States in 2008, and by his quiet, steady leadership of the Church in
uncertain times. People of all nations have been blessed by the
sacrifices he has made to sow the seeds of hope, justice, and compassion
throughout the world in the name of Our Lord and Savior."
FOX19-WXIX
