A brave decision !

The announcement that Pope Benedict XVI will step down from office and break six centuries of protocol by retiring came as a shock to many, but it was a brave decision and it shows that this leader put the health of his church before his own ambitions.  At age eighty five he is suffering a reduction in mobility and it is becoming obvious that he struggles to cope with the heavy workload that comes with the Papacy.

It is also possible that the events that overtook his predecessor, John Paul 11 could have a bearing on this decision.   Ill health stalked the latter months of the previous Pope and it became necessary for many functions to be delegated to others - and that created situations which intruded into the present term of office.

The Vatican has always been a huge bureaucracy and human nature creates rivalry between those seeking power.   When the health of an exalted leader is failing it provides an opportunity for ambitions to exceed wisdom in the jockeying for control.    Once an individual has power in his hands, it is not easy to give up and this may be the cause of much of the problems that have been roiling within the Vatican.

It is evident that all is not well within the Vatican bank.   There have been accusations of money laundering and the bank has lost the confidence of many financial institutions.   Recently the Pope's butler was arrested and charged with stealing documents and leaking secrets to the media.  This brought accusations of greed and corruption within the inner circle that runs the church, and much of this can be traced back to the time when their previous Pope was forced to delegate power.

Benedict XV! is making certain that his own age decline does not contribute similar problems.   The option of retirement has always been available to Popes, but it has been disregarded for a very long time.  Most Pope's die in office.   This present Pope has the wisdom to put the interests of his church before the inevitable mental decay that comes with age.   It is a decision that most will applaud.

A new Pope will be chosen, and this will bring a gale of fresh air sweeping through the Vatican.  There are problems within the church that have been waiting centuries for attention and - hopefully - a younger  Pope more in tune with this twenty-first century may be willing to grasp the nettle - and make changes.

Hopefully - the conclave of Cardinals will choose wisely !