Local Priest Reflects on Pope’s Resignation
Monday, February 11, 2013
ROME - The Vatican says Pope Benedict XVI
announced he will be resigning February 28th due to advanced age and
deteriorating health. Cardinal Timothy Dolan
says the pope's resignation stands as an important moment in everyone's lives
and impels us to thank God for the gift of Pope Benedict. Monsignor Richard Siefer,
pastor of St. Catherine's of Siena in DuBois says he was very surprised about
the announcement and hopes for the best as a new pope will be elected in the
coming month. “I was surprised but my surprise was more about the timing,” he
said. “I’ve been hearing in church circles that there were rumors that this was
going to happen but during this time we are preparing for lent I guess that was
my surprise. With all due respect to Pope Benedict, he is an elderly man and
buries great burden on his shoulder and in his life; caring for the church so I
can’t say that I blame him at this point. None of us really know about his
health so that could be another possible reason. All up on that, the Cardinals
of the World will meet up in Rome sometime in March and elect one of their members
to be their next pope and succeed Pope Benedict XVI.”
