Monday, February 11, 2013
Chaput: '[Benedict's] stepping down ... is another sign of his placing the needs of the Church above his own.'
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Nate Adams
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Monday, February 11
Calling him a servant with “intelligence, eloquence and … self-sacrifice,” Archbishop of Philadelphia Charles Chaput honored Pope Benedict XVI in a statement on Monday. Benedict announced his plans to resign his station Monday morning, citing fading strength and demands of the job for his decision to step down. "From his work as a young theologian at Vatican II to his ministry as universal pastor of the Church, Joseph Ratzinger has served God and the global Christian community with intelligence, eloquence and extraordinary self-sacrifice,” Chaput said in a statement. “As Pope Benedict XVI, he has led God's people through complicated times with uncommon grace, and his stepping down now, at 85, from the burdens of his office is another sign…
The 85-year-old pope cited 'deteriorated ... strength of mind and body.'
In a surprise overnight (Eastern Standard Time) announcement, Pope Benedict XVI said he will resign Feb. 28. It is the first time a Roman Catholic Pope has resigned in nearly 600 years. “It was totally unexpected,” said Rev. Msgr. Donald E. Leighton of St. John Baptist Vianney Church in Gladwyne, of receiving the news Monday morning. The reaction from parishioners has been one of shock and amazement, he added. “I think it was a very courageous decision that the Pope made—recognizing his own human weaknesses and own health problems." In an official statement posted on Vatican Radio's website, Pope Benedict, the 85-year-old leader of the Roman Catholic Chuch, cites fading strength and the demands of the job for his decision to step down. …
Monday, June 4, 2012
Pope Benedict XVI will travel to Philadelphia for a World Family Summit in 2015 as the Roman Catholic Church makes a clear statement about gay marriage.
- LOCAL CONNECTIONS
- Bob Byrne
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Monday, June 4, 2012
In a clear statement in support of traditional "one man-one woman" marriage in the United States, the Vatican has put Southeastern Pennsylvania at ground zero of the debate over gay marriage. The Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia, which includes Roman Catholic Churches in Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs, has announced it will host the Vatican's 2015 World Meeting of Families. The selection of Philadelphia came as Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput attended this year's World Meeting in Milan, Italy over the weekend. The meeting is held once every three years. In making the announcement, the Archbishop also made his position on gay marriage clear, saying in a news release: "The family is founded on a deep and loving union …
Richard Weisgrau
10:54 pm on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
You are against pro choice advocates, gays and lesbians, female religious equality, and people who have an opinion different from yours, whom you call bigots. Based upon the things you oppose I'd say we know who the real bigot is. more ›