Local Catholics 'Shocked' by Pope's Resignation
It's unknown whether Pope Benedict's resignation—the first in 600 years—will affect the Vatican's visit to Philly in 2015.
Pope Benedict XVI's sudden decision to resign his post—the first pontiff to do so in 600 years—due to health concerns surely took many local Catholics by surprise. Dr. Linda Dix, director of religious education at Our Lady of Good Counsel (OLGC), said she and others were "shocked" by the announcement Monday. But it was the right decision, both for the pope and for the church. "It says a lot about his wisdom and his regard for the office," she said. Benedict's resignation is effective Feb. 28. The decision sets the stage for a conclave to elect a new pope before the end of March. Though there are no clear front-runners, there's already plenty of speculation as to who Benedict's replacement will be. Dix mentioned that some people have …
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Jeff Roth
7:26 pm on Saturday, March 23, 2013
While it won't happen anytime soon, imagine a more progressive Pope (and church) who welcomes gays, allows women to be priests, allows priests to be married, gets with the times in terms of birth control and has zero tolerance for abusive priests/those that cover up for abusive priests. Now that would get them back in the pews!! more ›