Here is the official statement from our Apostolic Administrator, Bp. Robert Cunningham, on the upcoming resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.
“I join with those around the world in being surprised by Pope Benedict XVI’s announcement of his resignation. His decision is clearly one of great courage and one of deep love for the Church. He has publicly recognized that he no longer has the strength to carry out the duties of his papacy which is a further sign of his great humility.
Pope Benedict XVI will be remembered as a great theologian, a consummate teacher and a warm, caring spiritual leader. The Universal Church is grateful for his eight years as its Holy Father. May God grant him the peace he so richly deserves.
We will keep the College of Cardinals in our prayers as they choose a successor who will continue to strengthen the Church while meeting the challenges of today.”
Tags: Conclave 2013, News and Media, Pope Benedict
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Quite a Contrast between Bishop Cunningham and the Non-Bishop. Notice he concentrates on the humility of Pope Benedict and his contribution to the Church. Bishop Cunningham does not focus on himself or any agenda. This is as it should be with a true Shepherd of the Church.
Praise God that Pope Benedict so speedily accepted Bishop Clark’s resignation and appointed Bishop Cunningham. Although we are about to be a “sede vacante” diocese in a “sede vacante” church, at least we aren’t under Bishop Clark or Father Hart. That would be a sure way to have the pews sede vacante as well. Let’s just pray that Bishop Cunningham will have the opportunity to complete much of the work that needs to be done, and present a good work to the next Holy Father. May it be so!
It is not likely that Father Hart will be the next Bishop of Rochester, although I wouldn’t be surprised if he is named as Bishop of Albany. I’m not kidding. It is quite possible that Bishop Cunningham may very well recommend him.
Regarding pews-vacante – it is naive to think that the pews are more vacant because of Bishop Clark or Father Hart. We have two excellent priests at our parish (Fr. Cliffprd and Fr. Bradshaw), yet the attendance at the 10:30 Mass is declining. I don’t think that Catholics care all that much about who the Bishop is – what they care about (and what I care about) is my parish priests and my parish community. This is a parish that has provided three deacons. I might ad, too, a seminarian, who has roots in our parish, although I believe his family is in a nearby parish.
I have a question: if Bishop Clark is to blame for a lack of vocations, who is to get the credit for the apparent surge in vocations?
But – let us pray for a good and holy Pope and a good and holy Bishop of Rochester.
This is a parish that has provided three deacons. I might ad, too, a seminarian, who has roots in our parish, although I believe his family is in a nearby parish.
In how many years? Are the three deacons permanent deacons?
Not a chance.
Barbara Hesenius regularly preaches the homily at St. John of Rochester. Perhaps that’s a contributing reason to the decline?
Am I supposed to be impressed that one of the largest parishes in the diocese has produced vocations? Fine, here you go: *clap* *clap*
The young men who had the courage to step forward knowing in advance that there is a toxic vocations department in Rochester filled with women who want to be priests, and a Becket Hall ready to dismiss men for being too traditional. A number of our seminarians are from Columbia, so I should give Bp. Clark “credit” for that. Though from what I hear, the diocese has suspended their Columbian recruitment because it hasn’t produced the desired fruit (read: progressive, liberation theology discerners).
I would think that if a parish has Eucharistic adoration and the pastor preaches all the supposidly untouchable homily topics, the church will prosper. But speaking about those untouchable topics will get you punished and banished in Rochester.
Why Fr, Hart. Wasn’t he one of the henchmen of Bishop Clark. Didn’t he tolerate and possibly promote dissent? I cannot see anyone of that composition being appointed bishop, especially in a diocese like Albany that has sufferes similarly to the sufferings in Rochester.