Pope leaves Vatican pledging loyalty to successor

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Pope leaves Vatican pledging loyalty to successor

Pope Benedict XVI resigned at 8 p.m. local time (Indian time – 12.30 a.m.) on Thursday. There was a farewell gathering with all of the cardinals present in Rome at 11am on Thursday morning.

Pope bade farewell to the pontifical household at 4.55 p.m on Thursday afternoon and departed by car from Vatican’s San Damaso courtyard. There, he  took his leave of Secretary of State officials and then proceeded to Vatican’s heliport, where he was  seen off by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Dean of the College of cardinals.  At 5.15 p.m. he left for Castel Gandolfo, a small Italian town some 30 kms from Rome.  At 5.30 p.m. he briefly greeted the faithful of the Diocese of Albano from the central balcony of the Apostolic Palace. That was the last public appearance of Pope Benedict XVI.

The “Sede Vacante” or Vacant See began at 8 p.m. of February 28.

When renovations on the monastery inside the walls of Vatican City are complete, Pope Benedict XVI will take up residence there and will lead a secluded life of prayer and meditation.

His official title will be “His Holiness Benedict XVI, Roman pontiff emeritus. The Swiss Guards will no longer protect the pontiff, as they are charged with guarding only the pope.  He will continue to wear a white cassock, but no longer will be seen in red shoes. Instead, the pope has decided to wear a pair of brown shoes given to him at the papal visit to Mexico in 2012. His fisherman’s ring, which contains the pope’s formal seal, will also be destroyed.

Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis, in Rome

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Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis, in Rome

His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis left for Rome on 26 February to attend a meeting with the Holy Father on 28 February and take part in a conclave to elect the new pope.

The five Cardinals from India to take part in the election of the new pope are Cardinal Telesphore Toppo, Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Cardinal George Alenchery, Cardinal Baselios Mar Cleemis and Cardinal Ivan Dias. This is the first time in the history of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, a Cardinal attends the conclave.

Vatican reveals Pope Benedict’s new title, Pontiff Emeritus

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Vatican reveals Pope Benedict’s new title, Pontiff Emeritus

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Benedict XVI will keep his name and still be addressed as “his holiness” after he resigns
  • He will give up the red mantle and shoes of the pope and dress in a simple white robe
  • As he leaves office at 8 p.m. Thursday, the Swiss Guards will leave Castel Gandolfo
  • Cardinals are already gathering in Rome ahead of their meeting to choose the pope’s successor

Rome — With only two full days left of Pope Benedict XVI’s papacy, more details emerged Tuesday of what the future holds both for the retiring pontiff and the cardinals who will choose his successor.

The pontiff will keep the name Benedict XVI and still be addressed as “his holiness” once he retires, Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi told reporters at the Vatican.

He will also be known as pope emeritus, emeritus pope or Roman pontifex emeritus.

The guidance clears up questions about how Benedict — the first pope to resign in almost 600 years — should be addressed as he moves into a life of seclusion and prayer after his Thursday resignation.

 

Key moments in pope’s resignation

  • Benedict will hold his final general audience Wednesday, for which 50,000 tickets have been given out, Lombardi said, though many more people than that could show up.
  • Benedict will arrive in his Popemobile, which will drive around St. Peter’s Square among the faithful before the pope gives the address. He won’t give the usual brief personal greetings to people afterward but will meet delegations of heads of state in Vatican City later.
  • Benedict will meet with the cardinals who are already in Rome on Thursday morning.
  • The 85-year-old will then be flown by helicopter to Castel Gandolfo, the pope’s summer residence near Rome, in the afternoon. The church bell will toll and he will make his very last public appearance, greeting crowds from a balcony there.
  • At the moment that Benedict’s papacy ends, at 8 p.m. local time, the Swiss Guards — the soldiers who for more than five centuries have protected the pope and his residence — will leave the gates of Castel Gandolfo. He will from that point have Vatican police protection instead.
  • Benedict will stay there until work to restore a monastery within the Vatican grounds is completed later in the spring.

 

Cardinals gather

Meanwhile, the cardinals who must elect the new pope are already gathering in Rome, Lombardi said.

The dean cardinal will on March 1 summon the cardinals to a general congregation, Lombardi said. That could come as soon as March 4, although the date is not yet fixed.

The cardinals will then decide exactly when to hold the conclave, during which they vote for the new pontiff.

Special prayers will be said during the “sede vacante,” or empty seat, period, seeking guidance for the election of the new pope. The cardinals will lead the prayers.

After his resignation, Benedict — who cited the frailty of age as the reason he resigned — will no longer use the Fisherman’s Ring, the symbol of the pope, Lombardi said. The ring will be destroyed, along with Benedict’s papal seal, after his departure from office.

He will wear a simple white cassock, without the customary red mantle of the pontiff. He will also no longer wear red shoes, probably adopting instead the brown shoes that he received as a gift in Leon, Mexico, during a trip last year.

Newly Ordained Priests welcomed at the Catholicate Centre

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Newly Ordained Priests welcomed at the Catholicate Centre

On 15 February 2013, the Catholicate Centre welcomed the newly ordained priests of the Major Archieparchy of Trivandrum of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church who came to offer Holy Qurbono at the tomb of the Servant of God Archbishop Mar Ivanios. Rev Fr. Isaac Mavaravilakom, Rev Fr. Joseph Pulimoottil, Rev Fr. Sajan Puthenveedu, Rev Fr. Jacob Kalluvila, and Rev Fr. Anoop Thomson are the new priests. Most Rev. Thomas Mar Anthonios OIC, the Curia Bishop, Rev Fr. Thomas Parackal , Finance Officer and Rev Fr. James Puthuparampil OIC felicitated the young priests and offered prayerful wishes to their priestly ministry in the Church. All the inmates of the Catholicate community were present for the fellowship gathering.

Five Cardinals resident in India to elect new Pope

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Five Cardinals resident in India to elect new Pope

Five cardinals from India would take part in a conclave at the Vatican to elect the next pope. The conclave would take place during the Holy Week beginning from 24March. The five Indians to take part in the election of the new pope are Cardinal Telesphore Toppo, Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Cardinal George Alenchery, Cardinal Mar Baselios Cleemis and Cardinal Ivan Dias. This is perhaps the first time in the two-millennia history of the Church that five cardinals from India have qualified to attend the conclave and vote for electing the Pope

Statement from Apostolic Nunciature on the resignation of Pope

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Statement from Apostolic Nunciature on the resignation of Pope
Statement
The Apostolic Nunciature (Holy See Embassy) informs that today, 11 February 2013, the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI communicated his decision to renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, Head of the Catholic Church and  of the  Vatican City State, in such a way that as from 28 February 2013, at 20.00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff of the catholic Church will have to be convoked by those who have the competence to do it in accordance with the Canon Law.
The Director of the Press Office of the Holy See. Fr. Federico Lombardi SJ, gave a briefing to journalists in the Press Office of the Holy See at 12:30 PM today, during which he clarified the following points:
  • Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation on Monday morning, effective February 28th, 2013 at 8 PM Rome Time.
  • Pope Benedict XVI has given his resignation freely, in accordance with Canon 332 s2 of the Code of Canon Law
  • Pope Benedict XVI will not take part in the Conclave for the election of his successor. Pope Benedict XVI will move to the Papal residence in Castel Gandolfo when his resignation shall become effective.
  • When renovation work on the monastery of cloistered nuns inside the Vatican is complete, the Holy Father will move there for a period of prayer and reflection.
New Delhi, 11 February 2013

Pope Benedict XVI is to resign on February 28, the Vatican has announced

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Pope Benedict XVI is to resign on February 28, the Vatican has announced

Pope Benedict XVI is to resign as head of the Catholic Church on February 28, The Vatican has revealed.

Pope Benedict said in a statement that his strength is no longer adequate to continue in office due to old age.

He said he was “fully aware of the gravity of this gesture”.

Pope Benedict XVI was born Joseph Ratzinger in 1927 and was the 265th Pope.

Ratzinger was 78 when he was elected to become Pope in April 2005 and succeeded John Paul II.

He will be the first head of the Catholic Church to resign in almost 600 years. The Vatican said his departure would leave the post temporarily vacant.

Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said: “The pope announced that he will leave his ministry at 8:00pm (7pm UK time) on February 28.”

He will step down after almost eight years in the post, having been elected in April 2005.

 

Full text of Pope’s declaration

Dear Brothers,

I have convoked you to this Consistory, not only for the three canonizations, but also to communicate to you a decision of great importance for the life of the Church. 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. I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering. However, in today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me.

For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is.

Dear Brothers, I thank you most sincerely for all the love and work with which you have supported me in my ministry and I ask pardon for all my defects. And now, let us entrust the Holy Church to the care of Our Supreme Pastor, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and implore his holy Mother Mary, so that she may assist the Cardinal Fathers with her maternal solicitude, in electing a new Supreme Pontiff.

With regard to myself, I wish to also devotedly serve the Holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer.

From the Vatican, 10 February 2013

BENEDICTUS PP XVI

Inauguration of Karmaveedhi 2013

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Inauguration of Karmaveedhi 2013

Action plan of MCYM, Major Archieparchy of Trivandrum for the year of 2013 was inaugurated on 9 February Saturday at St. Mary’s Malankara Catholic Church, Kulathupuzha under the auspices of Ecclesiastical District of Ayoor. Most Rev. Dr. Samuel Mar Irenios, the Co-Patron of MCYM, inaugurated the function ‘Karmaveedhi’ and released ‘Karmapadhathi 2013’. Sri. K. Raju, MLA of Punalur, delivered the key note address. The meeting was presided over by Mr. Shaji. S. Malayil, (President of the MCYM Major Archieparchy). Rev. Fr. Thomas Kochukarikkathil (Director of the MCYM Major Archieparchy) delivered the introductory words. Rev. Fr. Thomas Kayyalckal, (National Director of M.C.Y.M), Sri. Pradeep Mathew Nallila(President of M.C.Y.M), Very. Rev. Fr. Yohannan Mulamootil (District Vicar of Ayoor), Rev. Fr. Daniel Kalluvilayil (District Director, Ayoor), Rev. Fr. Santhosh Ennavila, Sr. Jasmine Therese DM (Major Archieparchial Animator), Sr. Prasada DM (District Animator, Ayoor) and Anu John (District President, Ayoor) were present in the meeting.

A seminar was conducted on that day and Mr. F.M. Lazar took classes based on the theme of the year ‘Yuvajanangal: Udhithante Sakshikal’(Youth: Witness of the Risen Christ). After the Seminar a meeting was also conducted for MCYM unit leaders. 540 youth from 11 Ecclesiastical districts participated in the function. The office bearers of MCYM, Major Archieparchy, gave the leadership.

Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis in Key Pontifical Council

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Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis in Key Pontifical Council

Pope Benedict XVI has nominated Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis, Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church from India in two important panels, including the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, of the Vatican.

Cardinal Cleemis, head of Kerala-based Syro Malankara Catholic Church, was also made a member of the Council for Eastern Congregations which oversees the affairs of those hierarchies in the Catholic-fold that follows eastern traditions including Syro Malankara and Syro Malabar churches. The responsibility of the Oriental Congregation is the pastoral care of the Faithful of the Oriental Churches across the world.

Pope Benedict XVI appointed Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis, Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church as the member of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches and Pontifical Council for Inter Religious Dialogue. The responsibility of the Oriental Congregation is the pastoral care of the Faithful of the Oriental Churches across the world belongs to this Congregation.

The Pontifical Council for Inter Religious Dialogue was established in 1964. The responsibility of the Pontifical Council is to foster mutual understanding, respect, strengthen the joint efforts and encourage studying other Churches. The Pontifical council would also promote studies on all other major religions of the world and train churchmen to engage themselves in meaningful dialogue with those following different traditions of faith.

Mar Cleemis, 53, Major Archbishop and Catholicos of SMC, was elevated to the status of Cardinal in November last year.

He is one of the youngest cardinals in the apex body of the Catholic church, entrusted with the power of electing the Pope when a need arises.

Malankara Exarchate in the March for Life 2013

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Malankara Exarchate in the March for Life 2013

It was a cold and blustery morning, on Friday January 25, 2013 in Washington D.C, as thousands of people from all over the country gathered together at the annual March for Life. Held every year in the nation’s capitol in remembrance of the fateful decision that was made in the court case Roe vs. Wade to make abortion legal, this March, like other’s before it, gathered together people of all nations, cultures and religions in solidarity to represent the millions of unheard voices of those who had lost their lives to abortion.

Among the crowd, were a group of Syro Malankarites walking with the 4Life Ministry. This ministry, under the auspices of Jesus Youth, is a new initiative that has the Syro Malankara Exarchate of North America and the Syro Malabar Diocese of Chicago working together to promote and encourage all pro-life causes, especially as seen by the Catholic Church.

This newly formed ministry and all those gathered together that morning for the March were specially blessed by our very own Bishop Thomas Mar Eusebius through the celebration of the Holy Qurbono. The special help of the St. Mary’s Malankara Catholic Church in Maryland led by Fr. Mathai Mannoorvadekakkethil, truly made this celebration a blessed one. It was beautiful to see representation from a number of our parishes- namely St Mary’s (DC), St. Basil (Queens), St Peter’s (Rockland), St. John Chrysostom (Long Island), St. Jude’s (Philadelphia), and St. Mary’s (Chicago). The presence of Fr. Abraham Lukose and Sr. Benedicta (Bethany Congregation) also added to the blessedness of the occasion. After reception of the Holy Eucharist and emboldened by the words of Pithave’s homily, the group set out to join the March.

After braving the cold, the snow, and inspired by the strength in numbers of all those gathered together in the nation’s capitol, some members of the group stayed on for the first 4Life Ministry National Gathering. This gathering was an opportunity for those interested to learn more about the situation surrounding the pro-life issue and encouraging these “missionaries of life” to take their passion for pro-life into their workplaces, schools and friend circles.

The entire weekend was an occasion for the Syro- Malankara Church to join together with fellow Catholics and countless others in defending and protecting life that God has so carefully and lovingly made. Surely, this will be the beginning of an annual presence of Syro Malankarites at the March for Life.

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