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Saturday 31 December 2022

Benedict XVI is dead.


Benedict XVI died this morning. May God have mercy upon his soul.

I remember well the day he was elected. The Catholic institution where I work made the announcement that the "Habemus Papam" was imminent and that televisions were set up in the atrium. As Jorge Cardinal Medina, the Camerlengo said the words, "Eminentissimum ac Reverendissimum Dominium, Dominum Josephus Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalem Ratzinger," I put my fist in the air with a shout of "YES!". One clerk clapped. The executives and other senior staff stood in silence and walked away in shock and horror. It was quite the moment. I read The Ratzinger Report after my awakening to tradition in Ottawa at the time of the fledgling Ottawa Oratory of St. Philip Neri. He was the Pope of my reversion and my liturgical coming of age. To me, he died nearly a decade ago. He abandoned me, he abandoned my family, he abandoned all of us. There is not much else to write without speaking ill of the dead. The greatest thing he will be remembered for is Summorum Pontificum and the weakness of the document itself is apparent. An Apostolic Constitution and a suri juris structure would have been the better way. 

Bergoglio's time is also short. He will now move quickly, very quickly with the rest of his plan.

God help us. 

God in heaven, have mercy upon your servant, Joseph Ratzinger.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord and may perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen


8 comments:

Kathleen1031 said...

Amen to your prayer for his soul, Vox. I remember that moment his name was announced so clearly. I did not understand the other Latin words, but "Josephus" came through like an electric charge, and I was filled with exultant joy. It was quite a moment. How unknowing we all were then, or at least, I was. We've had quite an education in the last 20 years.
I do agree when people say he may have been the katechon. We'll see. God have mercy on his soul, and may He protect the church and faithful Catholics as well.

M. Prodigal said...

I did love this "German Shepherd". But this shepherd did flee from the wolves and we know there are many. God gave him almost 10 years to see the devastation his resignation has wrought. May God have mercy on him and show His Face to him.

Vox Cantoris said...

Exactly how I feel and you make a good point. God granted him ten years to see the results of his cowardice.

mazara said...

https://www.churchpop.com/2022/12/31/heres-pope-francis-first-words-about-pope-emeritus-benedict-xvis-death/

Mr. Janney said...

Cowardice? Are you quite certain? What if you are mistaken?

Many things have gone through our minds since the fateful day of the resignation. But which of these things can we pronounce on with enough certainty to label him as a coward?

You speak malice.

Carlos said...

Not a coward but a martyr and a hero.

https://casorosendi.com/2022/12/31/benedict-sign-of-the-last-hour/

Anon said...

Benedict XVI was a martyr. He did not flee for
fear of the wolves. He stayed there as their prisoner. His faux resignation was a brilliant move from a brilliant mind. His resignation of the ministerio hoisted the usurpers and turned their perfidy back upon themselves.
We are at a turning point where
we either chose the new Church of Israel through the Glory of the Olive, or we
stay with the church of Bergoglio the antipope.

Paul Dale

Thank you Papa Benedict your ten year immolation in the heart of the Vatican and praying for Holy Mother.

The sede is vacant. Trust in the Lord.

Dennis said...

Exactly, Anon / Paul Dale. Well said.