Catholic Church leaders in Ireland were caught by surprise at Monday’s decision by Pope Benedict to resign on Feb 28 due to poor
health, according to the Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin. He claimed the announcement was unexpected, despite recent signs about the increasing physical frailty of the 85-year-old pontiff.
Dr Martin urged Irish Catholics to pray for the Pope for his “courageous decision” and his future.
He also praised the Pope for overseeing a significant change in the attitude of the Vatican to the problem of clerical sexual abuse in Ireland
“He took a much stronger line in addressing these issues,” he said.
The archbishop, who regularly met Pope Benedict in Rome, said it was amazing that he had continued with a full schedule up to now given the state of his health.
However, he acknowledged that it had become very clear over the past month that his failing health was beginning to impact on his ability to carry out his duties.
Speaking at a press conference in Dublin yesterday, Dr Martin praised Pope Benedict as “an extraordinarily rounded man” who had been unfairly stereotyped by many people in Ireland.
He said the German-born cleric had many different aspects to his personality which had not often been recognised. The Pope had also regularly demonstrated his concern about scandals in the Irish church during his meetings with members of the Irish hierarchy.
Dr Martin recalled being asked by the Pope once about the points of contact between Church leaders and where the future of Irish culture was being formed, such as the media and universities.
“It was the sort of question that the Church in Ireland should consistently be asking itself,” said the archbishop.
Although Pope Benedict has not visited Ireland since his election in 2005, Dr Martin said he maintained a key interest in Ireland and issues involving the Church here, including how it had handled the issue of clerical abuse.
Just before his election as Pope, he noted that Cardinal Ratzinger had spoken forcefully about the “filth” in the life of the Church. “That isn’t the language of diplomacy,” said Dr Martin.
On the Pope’s legacy, Dr Martin said he would be remembered for his contribution to theology, noting he had written three major books during his pontificate in which he tried to explain his beliefs.
On his personal memories of the ageing Pope, Dr Martin said he led the simplest life of any cardinal he ever knew. He said the Pope was not a man for social life and was someone who was much happier when he was either writing or preaching.
As for Pope Benedict’s successor, the archbishop said it was possible the cardinals could elect somebody from a very different background. He declined to offer any views on the identity of the Pope’s likely successor.
Although Pope Benedict had appointed many of the cardinals who will choose the next Bishop of Rome, Dr Martin pointed out the conclave of cardinals does not “clone” the holder of the office.
However, he claimed the challenge for the next Pope would be to see how faith and not just Catholicism, fits into modern life, especially of those living in the western world.
Dr Martin, who last saw Pope Benedict in Rome shortly after Christmas, said it was extremely unlikely he would meet him again before his planned resignation at the end of the month.