LAWTON Okla_ A historic and
shocking announcement out of the Vatican, as Pope Benedict the 16th
is resigning. He's the first to do so in nearly 600 years.
The pope is now 85 years old, and he cited his age and his health when
making his announcement Monday. Benedict was elected in 2005 and was a frail
man then. Few Catholics expected his papacy would end like this, though.
Just like the
rest of the world, the Lawton
area Catholic community is shocked at the news. 7News Reporter Jonathan Rozelle
spoke with some of the local community. They said things for the Catholic
community will go on as scheduled until another Pope is put in his place.
It was a
stunning announcement from Pope Benedict the 16th, delivered in Latin at the end
of a meeting of cardinals in Rome.
"After
having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I've come to the certainty
that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to the adequate
exercise of the Petrine ministry," Pope Benedict said.
For students at
St. Mary's Catholic School here in Lawton,
the news was a surprise, but for teacher Robert Quinnett, it was interesting.
"To me it
makes a lot of sense," Quinnett said. "If he's not able to function as the Pope
mentally and physically, then why not step down and let somebody else step up?"
Not since Pope Gregory
in 1415 had a Pope stepped down from the position. Father James Stafford of Blessed
Sacrament Catholic Church in Lawton
said he feared the worst when he first saw the Pope's picture flash across news
channels this morning.
"I thought
‘Oh my God. He's died," Father Stafford said. "Then, it said he's resigned. The
world is in such turmoil, that I'm sure Pope Benedict realized there needs to
be somebody who is alert and active and ready to make decisions and carry out
things. So, he's reached that decision."
Even though Pope
Benedict has said before that he would not be Pope for life, Father Stafford
said he doesn't think this will set a precedent.
"They
hadn't done it for 600 years," Stafford said. "I
don't think they're going to start doing it now."
Benedict was
known as God's Rottweiler. He never veered far from his conservative beliefs. He
condemned gay marriage, the ordination of women, and allowing priests to marry.
For now, Catholics and spectators around the world like Quinnett wait to see
who will take the new title as "Pope."
"We might
see a younger Pope," Quinnett said, "Much like John Paul II. He was quite young
when he was elected as pope. So, maybe we will see the same."
Catholic
cardinals will gather in Rome
in early March to elect a new pope. So, it's likely Benedict's successor could
be in place by Easter Sunday.
