By ANOZIE EGOLE
Sequel to the unusual decision taken by His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, reactions have been coming  from Nigerians especially Catholics.

While others are saying that it is uncommon, some applauded the action of the spiritual leader saying it is a good example for others in high positions to emulate. These are some of their reactions as sampled by SATURDAY VANGUARD

*Pope Benedict XVI

It is a right step in the right direction—Emmanuel Anyiebe, lay reader in the church

For me, his resignation was the best thing to do. It goes a long way to show his respect for the church and the people he is leading. The reason for his resignation is basically because of his health.

We know he is getting weak and as a result, he might not perform actively as he used to. You know, the best truth is the one you tell yourself. So, he understands that. And no man does anything perfect with bad health. He must have considered all these things before taking the step he took. To me, it a right step in the right direction.

Talking about the next Pope coming from Africa or not, well, I have not been in the place where they elect Pope so I don’t really know the modalities for such election. But, I don’t need to  know the rudiments for the election. I am not racist as far as such thing is involved. I do not favour anybody, I strongly believe in the concept that the best man should be elected.

There are also chances of an African being the Pope. If you take a good look at the just concluded election that produced Pope Benedict the XVI, you will find out that his closest rival was Cardinal Arinze of Nigeria. So, going by that, you will see that there are possibilities of an African emerging as the next Pope.

Talking about the age, I do not think that age has any barrier against Cardinal Arinze. When he gets there and feels that the age is no longer allowing him to perform properly, nothing stops him from resigning. Catholic Church is a very organized institution that so much believes in quality. They can go to any mile to get the quality they need irrespective of anything. Only Cardinals who up to 80 years and above cannot be part of the conclave.

His resignation, good quality of a leader—Charlie Umah

To me, the resignation is a very good example of a good leader. He knows the reason why he resigned. Since the constitution didn’t forbid resigning, I do not see anything wrong with that.

He knows how he feels that made him took such a decision. Maybe he knows if he should continue, that he might not be able to do the work of God properly, so, he had to resign. Our leaders should learn from that single action of the Pope. If you think you can no longer perform properly, summon the courage and resign. It is a wonderful option.

It was unprecedented —Ifeanyi Odogwu

For me as a Catholic, the resignation of the Pope was unprecedented. Though it had happened far back, 600 years ago. When we were reading our Catechism books in preperation for our first holy communion, we were not taught that a Pope can resign his office. But that is not the issue now because, his resignation is not actually against the law of the church.

Though the law of the church made the office of the pope a life time office but it also gave the pope the chance to resign on two grounds, one is if there is a division in the church and secondly if the pope feels he is so sick to carry on the ministry.

So since the pope announced his resignation, there have been several issues coming up.

Some people felt the pope betrayed the church for not staying on with the cross as his predecessor, Pope John Paul did. You know Pope John Paul was more sick and had more health challenges.

After the gun shot, Pope John Paul suffered Parkinson disease and if you could remember vividly, the disease disturbed him so much. Some Catholics believe that Pope John Paul was more dedicated.

For me,  I think that there is nothing bad in his resignation so far as the church gives him the right to do that. Whatever are his reasons, I know he must have thought about it before resigning, though there will be some issues that would arise as a result of that.

If care is not taken, a time would come when we would have two Popes  sitting on the throne. But we would know who is the substantive Pope and who is not. We should have in mind that change is the only permanent thing in life. I would therefore urge my fellow Catholics to live with the change.