Cardinal Arinze Reacts to Pope's Resignation

Cardinal Francis Arinze, Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, tells us what it felt like to be a Cardinal in the room as the Pope announced his plans to resign and talks some sense into all of us who are feeling sad that the amazing Joseph Ratzinger, a man who does not rush, who is not rash, who is clear-headed and firm of purpose, is standing aside from the Chair of St. Peter.


He is brilliant isn't he? The key point I think here is that he states that our faith does not rest on the Pope, but in Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Kind of brings you to your senses a bit. What he says about sentiment is a brilliant observation; that we all get caught up in a pope's style, the way he looks, the way he speaks. I remember feeling as afraid when Pope Benedict was elected as I do now, waiting with trepidation to see who will be next. But as Cardinal Arinze so wisely says, the Holy Spirit does not go on holiday! Our faith is in Christ, let us look forward prayerfully to our new shepherd, the servant of the servants of God, who will be with us in a matter of a couple of weeks, whilst giving thanks for the great man that has guided us since 19th April 2005.

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