Pope’s resignation reminds us that office is not essentially about power and the exercise of authority, but rather about ministry and service: AEC - Feb 11

Following is the statement issued by Archbishop Patrick Pinder of Nassau, Bahamas, the president of the Antilles Episcopal Conference, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.



Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

The people of our region, like Catholics around the world, are surprised to learn of the decision of Pope Benedict XVI to renounce the office of Bishop of Rome. Surely a Pope can resign, but it has not happened in centuries.

We the Bishops of the Antilles Episcopal Conference greet this news with some degree of sadness. We have fond memories of our group and individual meetings with him during our last "ad limina" visit in 2008.

His warm and serene personality, his profound erudition coupled with his gift for clarity and simplicity of expression and his gentle character all endeared him to us.

We understand the basis of his decision, namely his declining physical health. Indeed his less than agile gait has been apparent for some time.

The decision of Benedict XVI is one of great courage. It is also a profound lesson to is all. It reminds us most forcefully that office in the Church, even the highest office, is not essentially about power and the exercise of authority. Rather it is essentially about ministry and service. We give praise and thanks to God for the petrine ministry of Benedict XVI.

As we now continue our journey through the Year of Faith and as we begin our lenten journey, let us pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance. Let pray that the Holy Spirit continue to guide and inspire the Church as we prepare for the election of the next Successor of St. Peter. Like Benedict XVI may he shepherd us wisdom, courage and humility.



Most. Reverend Patrick C. Pinder

Archbishop of Nassau

President, Antilles Episcopal Conference



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
Name: Fr Leo Donovan OP Order: Dominican (Order of Preachers) Date of Ordination: July 9, 1967 Portfolio: Parish Priest, Petit Valley “I am grateful to Trinidad and to the Church in Trinidad.” A sentiment shared by many priests who come into our archdiocese to serve. These same sentiments were shared by Irish-born, Fr Leo Donovan. As a young boy, Leo loved the members of his very Catholic family. Two members whom he particularly admired were two of his uncles, both of whom were priests serving in Trinidad, one in the 1930s, Fr Aengus Byrnes and one in the 1960s, Fr Anthony Roche. He also had three cousins who were priests and one cousin who is a nun. It was therefore relatively natural that he would, at a young age, decide to join the Order of Preachers. After seven years of study for the priesthood, he was ordained in 1967 and went to Rome to study for a license in theology. In 1968, he followed in the footsteps of his uncles and came to Trinidad to serve as a priest. He arrived a few...
Read more

The contemplative life in Rosary Monastery

Image
    Supplements - 50th Anniversary of T&T Independence Saturday, 01 September 2012 21:21 Interview with Sr Ann Bradshaw Sr Ann Bradshaw Rosary Monastery Sr Ann Bradshaw, Dominican contemplative nun and present Prioress of Holy Rosary Monastery, St Ann’s entered Holy Rosary Monastery on May 5, 1962, at a pivotal moment in history, about four months before Trinidad and Tobago gained its Independence from Great Britain on August 31, 1962 and about five months before Vatican Council II began on October 11, 1962. In this jubilee year of her entrance, she shares with us the readers of Catholic News some of the significant experiences of the past 50 years in the history of our nation and local Church and in addition what Rosary Monastery contributes to our local Catholic Culture and Identity. It is helpful to remember where we have come from as a people so that armed with some historical context we can engage more fully in...
Read more