Catholic Diocese of Lubbock Weighs in on Resignation of Pope Benedict XVI

Catholics around the world are weighing in on the upcoming resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, including a member of the Catholic Diocese of Lubbock.

According to the Associated Press, the 85-year-old Benedict announced his decision Monday morning, saying “my strengths due to an advanced age are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry.”

Marty Martin, Chancellor of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lubbock, discussed the next steps for Benedict.

“Somewhere between now and the end of the month, he’ll make a determination on where he’s going to live starting the first of March. I know he’s going to go to the Pope’s summer residence for a few days to close up any of his final things still open, and then he’ll make a determination on where he’s going to go from there,” Martin said.

A Conclave will be called around March 1^st by the dean of the College of Cardinals to begin the work to elect a new pontiff.

Martin expressed support for Benedict’s decision in light of the pontiff’s recent health setbacks.

“I think it’s a magnificent gesture on his part, and it takes a lot of courage to come to a decision like this,” said Martin.

Martin continued, saying, “He has decided that because of his health and because of his advanced age and deterioration that has come upon him in the recent months, that he feels that it’s best to leave the running of the Catholic church to his successor.”

Benedict will become the first pontiff to resign from the position in around 600 years.

Some are calling for a pope from Africa, where Catholicism is growing, and others would like to see a pontiff from Latin America, which is home to half of the world’s Roman Catholics.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.