You know how it is about Ratzingers leaving a sinking ship.

I wish him good luck, Toritto. I am sure it was not an easy decision to make...and I consider it a bold and reasonable one.

I think he will be remembered for this move...a move too many old men refuse to make.

Maybe he's just giving it up for Lent.

I am troubled by this. It isn't that past popes have refused to make these decisions, it is just that catholics eel the permanency of the pope to be like the permanency of a parent. They do not simply stop being our father because they are incapacitated.

Trust me, reading that, I know how crzy I sound, but it is the truth.

Did he buy a condo in Florida yet?

Hopefully, they will replace him with somebody who isn't such a homophobic, misogynistic, pedophile protecting, bigot.

'Course, looking at the papal front runners = fat chance!

When he was elected (? chosen.. however that works) my conspiracy theory friend assured me that Pope R was the "anti-pope" -- to be the last pope before the big reckoning, and I had to agree he looked the part!

lol @ aka and 'giving it up for lent' --

Which reminds me... isn't tomorrow Fat Tuesday? (not to go off topic..sorry)

Queen Elizabeth isn't stepping down. The last Pope didn't step down, though he was visibly ill. There is more to this. Hope it comes out.

Expect anything different in any meaningful way?

I don't see Evangelical protestants worrying about losing their millions of converts from the Roman Catholic Church. I expect the conversion phenomenon will continue as will the Church's recent policies.

Pope shmope

It's about time he left.
He made a good decision by not following in the last Pope's footsteps to remain in office until he is dying.

I'm bracing for his statement, "I can not serve without the company of the altar boy I love."

There are people on OS accusing others like the Pope of everything and don't realize how prejudism is within themselves.It"s disgusting and I hope they will smarten up and start being more careful about judging others.
Whatever you may think about the Pope,you may not like him,but please be aware of the fact that he is a highly educated man and not as stupid as some here on OS assume him to be.Every once in a while it's good to look into the mirror to become aware of one's own,home made prejudism.
In other words:Keep your self hatred to yourself!

There's another bump in the unemployment rate...

Gary Fandango You rock!

@ Heidi: Is "prejudism" what you go through before becoming "Judish"??? Is there a bar/bat mitsvah for something like that?


As for giving him a break? You mean like the people he gave a "break" to in Africa when he helped stop them getting condoms which would have saved millions of lives? Like the HUNDREDS of pedophiles he has routinely hidden and defended? Like the people he and his church were going to let starve in DC because he and his church were throwing a hissy fit over gay marriage? You mean like how he has made misogyny part of canon law?

You mean breaks like that, hon?

Now, now Amy, try a quick and very beneficial exercise: Ask yourself "How could I repharse that comment to get the exact same point across, without beig harsh, and seeming to attack or insult anyone. Getting a point out is fine, respecting fellow OSers is also very important, and you'll actually feel better for doing so.

They're narrowing in on him. My bet is he's gettin' out of Dodge just in time. The question now whether a more "liberal" era has a chance to begin. I frankly doubt it given how the heirarchy works.

Gary,I appreciate your decency.
I react very allergic to permanent attacks by people who seem to have done no self reflection.
I personally have no sympathies for the Pope or the Catholic church but I do believe in the proverb such as "to leave the church in the village".

I had to look up the phrase "leave the church in the village". It means "Don't get carried away". I wonder where that came from? I'm an atheist, so I'm certainly not an apologist for the Pope. But lately I've been thinking that people need to be offered a compelling relacement for answers to the big questions and for social organizations like those of churches. We need to provide them and publicize them and make them happen.

It's not right to knock people for following religion, or knock the Pope or leaders of other religions without offering to replace these things with something better.

@ Gary Fandango:

You mean replace them with something like Bingo???

Yeah, I get my news from T's blog...down here in Africa.

[r] breaking news. will google. thanks, t! best, libby

Gary,you are making a very good point here.It's my impression too that the traditional churches have become outdated and that it is time for a change on a broad scale.First rule could be decency as I have noticed in you,and from there it would be desirable if there was such thing as good behaviour and a world embracing humanity on all levels starting
with tolerable communication.
There is a huge decline of civil behaviour and speech.If this goes on we will be confronted with barbarism and celebrate meetings with the Flintstones.
All I am saying is that I hope for the better.

Hi,Toritto.
Sorry about the different comments.I was trying to keep your blog free of negative attitudes.
I hope you are doing well.
Rated

Amy, I think that religions will be replaced by 2 things: The first is a compelling philosophy that addresses the big questions about existence, the universe, where we came from, purpose, ethics and morality, etc. The second are humanist (non-religious) organizations that fill the social needs of people. They would take the place of social organiations tied to religions and churches.

To smear all Catholics with the policies if an organization with a consistent long history of intolerance and dogmatic inhumanity and support of regimes that were openly fascist is surely not fair but the record is quite open and I have little choice but to speak out, even though my remark may have been below the belt. There is a tendency for leaders of movements and nations to be excused for the frightful behavior for which they are responsible. I am sure that associated organizations within the Catholic have done and are doing good work but the general policies of the current Pope are not admirable and they have done great harm to whatever decency is accorded to the church. There is no loss in his going.

"The times they are changin. " Perhaps, self-interest politicians should listen up, as well. Tonight, we will hear Obama's hollow, yet inspirational, rhetoric on the future of the USA. Marvellous words no doubt.

Throughout history, the vast majority of deaths have been due to religious and political beliefs. Where is the humanity and intelligence? The mentality that 'I'm right and you're wrong' does not work. history has shown this. Humanity Rules in the long run.