Archbishop Aymond calls pope courageous

Archbishop Gregory Aymond responded today to the announcement by Pope Benedict XVI that he would resign on Feb. 28.

What was your reaction when you woke up on Monday morning and found out that Pope Benedict XVI had announced his retirement?

I had an alert on my phone from the news agencies. I was surprised at the timing, but I really was not surprised. His physical health has been deteriorating. I last saw in him in January of last year when I went to Rome with the bishops of our region. It was certainly evident to us that his physical health was failing, but his mind was still very sharp. I think it takes a great deal of courage and humility to say that the mission of the Church – the mission of the Holy Father – is so important that if he could not fulfill the responsibility the Lord was calling him to, then he would hand that on to someone else. He is a man of great humility and courage. Now he is asking the cardinals to enter into the conclave and to prayerfully select the successor of Peter.

Do you think he was influenced in any way by the health struggles that he witnessed Blessed John Paul II endure in his final years?

It's all speculation. I think he saw John Paul and he said, it's burdensome enough to be the pope, but it's an unreasonable burden to himself and to the church to have a pope who really can't fulfill that ministry because of physical capabilities.

Does anyone get advance word of something like this?

No, there was no advance word. The usual protocol for something like this is that it would be announced in Rome by the Holy Father. Now, the process of discernment and election begins. As we know, this is unprecedented in modern times. The last time this happened was 600 years ago.

Can you sum up the pontificate of Pope Benedict?

I think he will be known for two things. First, he has been a great, great teacher, and he has continued to be a wonderful theologian. Secondly, I think he will be known for trying to bring about a greater unity especially for those who were away from the church.

Do you have any thoughts about what the pope's retirement will be like?

He will be retired, just as a bishop retires from the diocese and enters into prayer. He can celebrate the sacraments. But I think we will see a very quiet Benedict XVI.

How would you characterize his pontificate coming on the heels of Pope John Paul II?

Pope Benedict came in after a very lengthy pontificate. John Paul began his pontificate as a very young man – he was 58 years old – and then he grew old in his role as the Holy Father. John Paul went from being a father to a grandfather to many. Pope Benedict came in at a much older age – he was 78 when he elected – so he was already at a grandfatherly age. I think Benedict certainly built upon what John Paul had done, and he was able to expand that in terms of his teaching and in his attempts for reconciliation. I think Benedict has suffered greatly because of some of the challenges within the Vatican itself and some of the things that have been facing the church. A leader cannot possibly go through those things without suffering. He always has been a man of great faith, but I would guess that he certainly experienced some tough moments as he saw some of the challenges that the church and the world face.

What challenges will the next pope face?

We continue to struggle with world peace. We continue to struggle with violence and injustice in the world and poverty. And we continue to deal within the church with the call for a greater sense of unity and trust.

What are you asking of the people of the archdiocese?

I've been asking all Catholics to pray for Pope Benedict as he faces his health issues and to pray for the cardinals as they come together in discernment to select the successor of Peter. I have a great deal of admiration for our Holy Father.