Benedict XVI

February 11, 2013

Pope Benedict XVI’s Resignation

We were all surprised by the announcement Pope Benedict XVI made today, just two days before the start of Lent, about his intention to resign effective Feb. 28. I have a great personal affection for the Holy Father. He appointed me as bishop of the Diocese of Brownsville in 2009, and I will always be grateful to God and to him personally for that great blessing.

We should see this decision as an act of great humility and courage.  In renouncing the highest office in the Church, the Holy Father's thoughts have been focused upon the future of the Church. The Holy Father is thinking more about what the Church needs in the days to come and not thinking about himself. He very simply stated that he thinks that this moment in history requires someone with greater physical strength and stamina to govern the Catholic Church spread throughout the world. It would be difficult for any of us to imagine the grueling schedule that the Holy Father has maintained since his election. Pope Benedict has felt himself grow weaker physically in recent months. As he announces this decision, Pope Benedict confides the care of the Church to Almighty God, and he invites us all to do the same. 

For us now it is a moment to be grateful to God for the gift of Pope Benedict XVI, and it is a moment for us to pray that God will inspire and illuminate the minds of the cardinals who will gather shortly after the 28th to elect a new pope.

I think it is a considerate and thoughtful decision on the Holy Father’s part that he chose this moment to announce his decision. He obviously thinks Lent is a special time of grace for the whole Church as we pray in a spirit of penance and hope. As the College of Cardinals convenes to elect the next pope, the whole Church throughout the world will be joined in Lenten prayer. I ask all Catholics in the Rio Grande Valley to remember Pope Benedict in their prayers, and to pray for the one who will be called to succeed him. The life of the Church is in the hands of God, we are all his servants.