Fr. George Rutler, Anglican convert and noted speaker and author. He is the pastor of the Church of Our Saviour, on Park Ave. and 38th St.
FROM THE PASTOR
February 24, 2013
by Fr. George W.
Rutler
The meteorite that
exploded over Russia's Ural Mountains with the force of
thirty atomic bombs had the biggest impact since the one
that exploded over Tunguska in 1908 with a force more
powerful than all the bombs, including the atomic ones
dropped in the Second World War. But such a force of
nature, when observed passing safely by with
breathtaking speed, can also be a sign of the beauty
and brevity of all things. So it was in “The Year
of Three Popes” when the death of Paul VI was followed
by the death of John Paul I just four weeks after his
election, and then the election of John Paul
II. Cardinal Confaloniere said of John Paul I, in the
exquisite Latin for which he was famous: “He
passed as a meteor which unexpectedly lights up the heavens
and then disappears, leaving us amazed and
astonished.”
The impact of that pope's sudden death
seemed at the time to be immeasurably hurtful, and yet he
made the way for many providential events. Now the
gracious abdication of Pope Benedict XVI also amazes and
astonishes. When he assumed the papacy, he knew the
work would not be easy: “Pray for me, that I may not
flee for fear of the wolves.” Without
histrionics or self-pity, he quietly took up his burden in
the succession of St. Peter to whom the Lord said,
“Simon, Simon, Satan has desired to have you, that he
may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that
your faith fail not; and that when you are converted, you
will strengthen your brethren” (Luke
22:31-32).
In many glorious ways, Benedict
XVI has done just that. With unerring fidelity he
has explained the sacred deposit of the Faith to its
opponents, both cultured and uncultured, with patient
eloquence and stunning insight. Many reforms in the
Church’s structure and the purification of abuses were
his intense initiatives. Rather like St. Francis of
Assisi going to meet with the caliph of Egypt clad only in
simplicity, Benedict XVI refused to wear a bullet-proof
vest when he went to Turkey, turning the anger of many to
respect. A new reverence and beauty in worship has been
his gift to the Church through his renewal of the sacred
rites, and the provision of an ordinariate for whole groups
seeking full communion with the Church “amazed and
astonished” many. Now, his renunciation of the Keys
entrusted to him, teaches the essence of the papacy as
a stewardship that transcends the charisms of any
individual. Officially, a pope is Bishop of Rome, Vicar of
Christ, Successor of the Prince of the Apostles, Supreme
Pontiff of the Universal Church, Primate of Italy,
Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Roman Province, Sovereign
of the State of Vatican City, Servant of the Servants of
God. But to the world, this Pope has also been a very
good Father.
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