PAGE 8 THURSDAY FEBRUARY 3, 2000 CATHOLIC COURIER DIOCESE OF ROCHESTER. N.Y. COLUMNISTS A pope always reserves option to resign Bishop . president of would lose their personal access to the resignation freely and that it be duly the German Bishops Conference, creat­ papal apartment and dinner table, and manifested, but not that it be accepted ed something of a stir a few weeks ago in the prestige associated with it; of others by anyone" (can. 332.2). And in his own responding to a television interviewer's who might forfeit their high-ranking Vat­ new rules for die election of a pope, pro­ question whether the pope might choose ican positions; and of still others-who mulgated in 1996, John Paul II himself this new millennial vear to resign. have aspirations for an episcopal ap­ explicitly acknowledged that a vacancy Bishop Lehmann pointed out that he pointment or advancement within the hi­ in the office can occur not only by a has great personal respect for the pope erarchy, given the current criteria em­ pope's death but also by his "valid resig­ and was impressed with the pope's active ployed in die naming of bishops and in nation" (Part I, n.l). presence at the recent European Bishops their promotion to larger dioceses. Significantly, the code does not pro­ Svnod. However, he continued, the pope Does such "careerism"-exist in the vide any procedure by which a sitting would surely have "the strength and the church? At least three Vatican cardinals pope can be removed from office for rea­ courage" to resign if he thought he could said: "I have confidence in the pope drat have said as much publicly: Vincenzo Fa- sons of physical or mental incapacity. no longer do the job. when he feels he is no longer capable of giolo, former president of the Pontifical Given present advances in medical tech­ The comment generated an immedi­ leading the church with responsibility, he Council for the Interpretation of Leg­ nology and health care, it is at least con­ ate reaction. Some Italian cardinals will have the strength and the courage to islative Texts; Bernardin Gantin, dean of ceivable that a pope could remain in of­ found the speculation offensive and in­ say 'I cannot fulfill this as is required.'" the and former pre­ fice long after he has lost his ability even sulting, and were quick to assure every­ For the past two or three years, con­ fect of the Congregation for Bishops; to recognize people. one that the pope is in full command of cerns have increasingly been expressed and Joseph Ratzinger, current head of One can only imagine a comparable his job. One of Bishop Lehmann's own in private, both inside and outside the the Congregation for the Doctrine of the situation if Ronald Reagan, now in an ad­ hierarchical colleagues, Cardinal Vatican, about the pope's health and Faith. vanced stage of Alzheimer's disease, Joachim Meisner of Cologne, also about his capacity to meet his pastoral Too many people sdll think that popes were still president of the United States rushed to the pope's defense. and administrative responsibilities. Un­ simply do not, or perhaps cannot, resign. and there were no constitutional provi­ In the United States, National Public til now, however, it has been an under­ Contrary to popular misconception, sions for his removal from office (see Ar­ Radio left listeners- with the distinct im­ ground discussion. popes can resign, and at least four, and ticle XXV, section 4). pression that the president of the Ger­ The reaction to Bishop Lehmann's re­ possibly six, have, in fact, resigned their And one can also only imagine the re­ man Bishops Conference had indeed marks on German television indicates office; the most recent in 1415. action if Bishop Lehmann had raised tailed tor the pope's resignation. how sensitive this matter is for many Indeed, the church's Code of Canon that concern on German television last 1 he next day Bi-hop Lehmann Catholics, perhaps especially those who Law explicitly allows for papal resigna­ month. claimed that he had been misunder­ have a vested interest in a continuation of tion: "If it should happen that the Ro­ • • • stood. When asked whether the pope this pontificate for as long as possible. man Pontiff resigns his office, it is re­ Father McBrien is a professor of theology might resign because of ill health, he had One thinks, for example, of those who quired for validity that he makes the at the University of Notre Dame. The true meaning of happiness Fifth Sunday of the Year (Feb.5):(R3) this God stuff. He doesn't exist — I ough- had escaped from Hitler's . Mark 1:29-39. (Rl)Job 7:1-4, 6-7. (R2) 1 ta know." Some of his students said he shouldn't Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23. "Why's that, my son?" asked the have done that, saying, "They were not Neither Fame, nor Wealth, nor Popu- priest. even Christians." ••-• . lant\ bring happiness. So often the "Well, said the man, "when I was ice- "No they weren't," the wise teacher teachings of Jesus ran counter to the fishing in the Arctic far from the nearest quietly replied, "but I am." messages the %orld gives us about hap­ village, a blizzard blew up with the wind Happiness is the touch of the Master's piness. Crowds surrounded Jesus. His and snow. I was a goner. So I got down hand. It is discovering the power of disc iplf.s thought this was great. But not on my knees and prayed real hard, beg­ prayer. It is having our priorities straight. Jesus. Where, then, can we find happi- ging God for help." • • • ness'- "And did he help you?" asked the Father Shamon is administrator of St. Happiness begins with a touch. Jesus priest. IsaacJogues Chapel, Fleming. was v lsitmg the home of Simon Peter. Si­ that he had the power to heal people. By "Heck no," saidthe man. "God didn't mon's mother-in-law was sick in bed with dusk the whole city was at Simon's house lift a finger. Some Eskimo appeared out a high fever. Jesus went over to her, looking for Jesus. They brought their of nowhere and showed me the way." Daily Readings touched her, and lifted her up. Immedi- sick and all those possessed by demons. Finally, happiness is getting our pri­ Monday, February 7 atek she was healed. All Jesus did was The disciples had never seen such a orities in order. We need to take inven­ 1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13; Mark 6:53-56 touch her. crowd. Jesus cured them all. He must tory of our lives to determine what's im­ Tuesday, February 8 To sav thanks, she immediately got up. have been exhausted when they all left. portant and what is not. Jesus did. 1 Kings 8:22-23, 27-30; and began serving Jesus and his disci­ Yet early the next morning, Jesus awoke The next morning when Simon and Mark 7:1-13 ples. alone and searched for a lonely place, the other disciples awoke, they discov­ Wednesday, February 9 Happiness is not simplv an option we where the crowd would be unable to find ered that Jesus was gone. When they 1 Kings 10:1-10; Mark 7:14-23 exercise. Happiness begins with a touch him, so he could be alone to pray. He found him, Simon said, "Everybody is Thursday, February 10 - the touch of the Master's hand. had given much to others, now he need­ looking for you!" Jesus answered, "Let us 1 Kings 11:4-13; Mark 7:24-30 Happiness also comes when we dis­ ed time to be alone with his Father and move on to the neighboring villages so Friday, February 11 cover the power of prayer. The world recoup his powers. So with us: we need that I may proclaim the good news there 1 Kings 11:29-32,12:19; savs that the busier we are, the happier time to be alone with God each day. also. That is what I have come to do." Je­ Mark 7:31-37 vve are. That's a mistake. Consider Jesus' Sf>me people are so superficial when sus would not be sidetracked by die adu­ Saturday, February 12 approach. it comes to their understanding of lation of the crowds. He knew where he 1 Kings 12:26-32, 13:33-34; B\ nightfall word had spread through­ prayer. "Hey, Father," said a man talking was headed. Nothing else mattered. Mark 8:1-10 out the town that Jesus was there and to a priest. "You got it all wrong about A teacher once helped some Jews who

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