Denver Catholic

BY ELISE HARRIS VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News)—One year later, Cardi- nal James Stafford reflects on the meeting where Benedict XVI announced that he was stepping down as bishop of Rome, noting that it was an "unexpected" mo- ment of "shock" for all. "Total surprise, total shock," was the experience of all those present when they heard the Pope's words that day, Cardi- nal Stafford explained in a Feb. 7 interview with Catholic News Agency. On the occasion of the one- year anniversary of the Feb. 11, 2013, announcement of Bene- dict XVI's resignation, Cardinal Stafford, president emeritus of the Pontifical Council of the La- ity and archbishop emeritus of Denver, spoke of his experience at being in the room when the pontiff revealed his decision. Calling to mind the meeting where the announcement was made, the cardinal revealed that "it took place at a consistory of the cardinals," which was "basi- cally" a gathering of "the cardi- nals of Rome." The consistory meetings, he explained, were held regularly in order to discuss "the presen- tation of those who were being beatified and canonized within the Catholic Church." "So we were gathered in the room of the consistorio, where we usually gathered with the Ho- ly Father," the cardinal observed, noting that they "were gathered around him in prayer" for the daily recitation of the Liturgy of the Hours. The Liturgy of the Hours is the official set of daily prayers pre- scribed by the Catholic Church to be recited by clergy, religious institutes, and the laity, and con- sist mainly of psalms, which are supplemented by hymns and readings. The cardinal also observed that there was "a presentation by the prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, of those that were to be presented and voted upon that day, for beatifi- cation and canonization." All of this "took place without any eyebrow raising," he ex- pressed, however "at the end of the prayer, "we were asked to sit down," which "was something unusual." "We all sat down, including the Holy Father, Pope Benedict, and a rather extensive paper was brought up to him by his secre- tary to read." Originally, "I didn't put any meaning upon all of that," the cardinal reflected, stating that "I just thought we would be having an adjunct, that was somewhat unusual, but not very unusual," but "within 10 seconds" he knew something was happening be- cause the pope was "speaking in Latin, not in Italian." "I was alerted to the fact that it was about something very special by the fact that he was speaking to us not in the usual language of Italian, but in Latin," Cardinal Stafford recalled, noting that the pontiff had not spoken to them in Latin "in this setting" since "his election," so he thought "'I better listen in on this.'" "So I listened very attentively, and very soon the words came out that he was resigning," the cardinal observed, "and he con- tinued about the reasons, but that came out within the first 30 seconds of his address." Then they "concluded the cel- ebration of the Liturgy of Hours," he explained, and Benedict XVI "left immediately, and we were left there stunned." "A cardinal who was sitting next to me said, 'Did he resign?' I said, 'yes, that's what he did. He resigned.' And we just all stood at our places." Eventually "we came togeth- er in smaller groups, and began sharing some of our reaction to it," the cardinal said, adding that "It was totally unexpected, and totally, historically, unexpected." When asked what he thought the legacy of this act and this time in the Church would be, Cardinal Stafford responded that "I think it's too soon" to know. Benedict XVI's retirement offi- cially went into effect on Feb. 28, 2013, and was a conclusion he came to "after having repeatedly examined my conscience before God," he stated in his Feb. 11 ad- dress to the cardinals. Speaking of the reasons influ- encing his decision, the retired pontiff cited his age as the prima- ry factor, explaining that "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." Only two other pope's have re- signed from their post in the his- tory of the Church, the first being St. Celestine V in 1294, and the last was Gregory VII, in 1415. The retired pontiff is now living in the Vatican's monastery Mater Ecclesiae, which lies just west of St. Peter's Basilica, and which contains a chapel, a choir room, a library, a semi-basement, a ter- race and a visiting room that was added in 1993. Alan Holdren contributed to this piece. 12 I WORLD/NATION FEBRUARY 12, 2014 I DENVER CATHOLIC REGISTER Cardinal recalls 'shock' of Benedict XVI's resignation JIM BIRD Broker Associate Ambassador's Club PROFESSIONALS HONEST COMPETENT SERVICE—FREE ADVICE EXPERTS IN THE DENVER METRO AREA NO DEAL TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL YOUR BEST INTEREST IS MY PRIORITY! Donation to the Catholic Church or charity of your choice when we sell your home or close on the purchase of your new home *Ask For Details 720-472-2272 jbird@wrpros.net $500* CALL ANYTIME! More than just retreats… Reunions • Weddings • Vow Renewal Corporate & Sta Training • Youth Groups Sacramental Preparation 719-258-1600 for Tour or Reservations www.eltesororetreat.org Come for a day or week Book your next event with us L'OSSERVATORE ROMANO/ANSA POPE FRANCIS welcomes Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI back to the Vatican at Mater Ecclesia monastery on May 2, 2013.

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