Bishop admires courage in Pope's resignation
CBC News
Posted: Feb 11, 2013 12:42 PM AT
Last Updated: Feb 11, 2013 3:10 PM AT
Related
Related Stories
Like many around the world, Charlottetown Bishop Richard Grecco expressed surprise Monday at the sudden announcement from Pope Benedict XVI that he is resigning.
The Pope's resignation is effective Feb. 28. The last time a pope resigned from office was 1415.
"Much of the church runs on custom, and it's been custom not to retire," Grecco told CBC News Monday.
"My reaction, along with surprise, was also a little bit of admiration for his courage because in order to break 600 years of custom he must have searched his heart and his soul very carefully."
The 85-year-old Benedict said his strength was deteriorating, as he has reached the point where he no longer feels he can adequately perform his duties.
Grecco noted the significance of Benedict making the announcement Monday, which in the Roman Catholic Church is the world day of prayer for the sick.
Share Tools
Latest Prince Edward Island News Headlines
- 'Very upset' Harper wants fast Senate spending reform
- Prime Minister Stephen Harper told the Conservative caucus this morning that he's "very upset" about the recent conduct of some senators and his own office, and he wants Senate spending rules tightened quickly. more »
- RCMP identify victims of fatal crashes
- RCMP have released the names of two men who died in two separate highway accidents on P.E.I. over the holiday weekend. more »
- Blood Services supply short after holiday
- Canadian Blood Services officials on P.E.I. say the number of blood donations is down and they are asking Islanders to help replenish the inventory. more »
- Stuff the Duff T-shirt lampoons senator
- A T-shirt maker in Charlottetown is wading into politics once again with a new design featuring Senator Mike Duffy. more »
Must Watch
Top News Headlines
- Kids from levelled Oklahoma schools recount deadly tornado
- Children from two Oklahoma schools levelled Monday by a powerful tornado are recounting what it was like to survive the "loud" and "scary" twister, while rescuers near the end of their search for any other remaining survivors or bodies. more »
- Deadly Oklahoma tornado confirmed as most powerful type
- Emergency workers neared the end of their search Tuesday afternoon for survivors in Moore, Okla., following a deadly tornado that weather officials said was now classified among the most powerful type of twister. more »
- Senate debates expense audits amid greater scrutiny
- The expenses scandal dominated the first Senate session since the audits on senators Mike Duffy, Mac Harb and Patrick Brazeau were released and it was revealed Duffy's questionable expenses were repaid by a personal cheque from the prime minister's chief of staff. more »
- Only 1 set of human remains found at Millard farm, police say
- Hamilton police have confirmed that they are dealing with only a single set of human remains at the Waterloo region farm of Dellen Millard. more »
- Rob Ford faces more calls to address crack allegations
- Toronto Mayor Rob Ford went back to work after a holiday weekend, but he kept his mouth shut about an alleged video that two published reports say shows him smoking what appears to be a crack pipe. more »
- Stuff the Duff T-shirt lampoons senator
- RCMP identify victims of fatal crashes
- 'Very upset' Harper wants fast Senate spending reform
- Donagh parents fear school closure
- Recovering addict supports methadone substitute
- Man dies in off-road vehicle crash near St. Patricks
- Harper to address Tory caucus amid Senate scandal
- Conservative MP remains tight-lipped on Duffy scandal
- Alberton fishermen face lobster quota
