Statement of Cleveland Bishop Richard Lennon Regarding Resignation of the Pope:
Today's announcement by Pope Benedict XVI that he will resign as Holy Father on February 28, 2013, is an historic event and an action motivated by his love of the Church.
One of my fellow bishops had this reflection on today' announcement which I would like to share, "Most of us know in our own personal lives what it means to see a parent grow old and decline in ability. That is the sense we bring to this announcement by our spiritual father."
Pope Benedict XVI has been faithful and dedicated to Jesus Christ his entire life, exemplified in establishing this current Year of Faith when he asked, "All Catholics to live their relationship with Jesus Christ."
Although I did not know him well, a year ago I had the privilege to spend about 40 minutes with Pope Benedict along with my fellow bishops of Ohio as we discussed Church matters in Ohio and the United States. He interacted with us demonstrating his pastoral heart.
I encourage the Faithful to pray for Pope Benedict XVI, asking God to bless him with his gifts of peace and joy, also, I invite all the Faithful to join with me to pray to the Holy Spirit asking him to give us a successor who will continue leading our Church and reflecting the image of Jesus Christ.
Click play to watch the Press Conference of Bishop Richard Lennon
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Cardinal Timothy Dolan, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops released the following statement:
The Holy Father brought the tender heart of a pastor, the incisive mind of a scholar and the confidence of a soul united with His God in all he did. His resignation is but another sign of his great care for the Church. We are sad that he will be resigning but grateful for his eight years of selfless leadership as successor of St. Peter.
Click here to read the entire statement.
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Pope Benedict XVI announced that he will resign on February 28th. According to the statement from the Holy Father:
After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry.
To read the entire statement from the Vatican's Social Communication web site click here.
Catholic News Service has posted a story regarding the Holy Father's resignation, you can view the story by clicking here.
From Zenit News - Historian Notes Precedents for Papal Resignation - Click here for story
Click here for details from the press briefing at the Vatican this morning.
Cardinal Dolan stopped by the Today Show to comment about the resignation of the Holy Father (a short commercial not associate with this clip may appear at the beginning of the stream).
More updates to this story will be posted here as they are made available.