By Jake Faber ’14, Staff Writer

On February 11, 2013, Pope Benedict XVI made the astonishing announcement of his impending resignation from the papacy. The Pope’s choice seems rather perfunctory given his advanced age of 85 years. However, what makes the resignation so historic is that he is the first pope in nearly six centuries to vacate the position prior to death, following Pope Gregory XII in 1415. Naturally, such an unorthodox action carries a multitude of implications. On balance, however, Pope Benedict’s resignation is timely and appropriate.

One consequence of Pope Benedict’s decision, and arguably the most pertinent, is the precedent it sets for future occupants of the papacy. Prior to the Pope’s statement of resignation, popes tended to serve until death largely because of pious obligation and a sense of duty. Pope Benedict has effectively altered the definition of papal service not only through his action but also by his statement that, “If a Pope clearly realizes that he is no longer physically, psychologically and spiritually capable of handling the duties of his office, then he has a right, and under some circumstances, also an obligation to resign.” In a way, the Pope is renouncing the archaic practices of the Vatican—and justifiably so. There are few other professions, save perhaps that of Supreme Court Justice, in which the employee or position-holder is expected to serve until death. Emma Coffey ’14, a Catholic, observed that the tradition of lifetime service is “largely antiquated…unlimited tenure has no place in our increasingly long-lived world.” Sophomore Kevin Lin ’15 said he also agreed with the Pope’s decision to remove himself  “if unable to serve the members of his faith.” Ms. Schottland, a member of the Humanities Department who teaches world religions as a major component of Ancient World, said that the Pope’s decision to resign “must have been a calculated decision that was  the result of great personal turmoil.” If the Pope has given careful consideration to the consequences of his decision and has still decided that his resignation would be in the best interests of the Catholic world, it is not the place of critics to deny him that decision.

The situation becomes even more significant when considering the position as head of the Catholic Church—the leader of over one billion Roman Catholics worldwide. In evaluating Pope Benedict’s decision, we must take into account the impact that he has on the multitude of followers whose religion in part depends on the Vatican. Why should these Catholics be denied a strong, healthy, and capable leader simply because of an outdated precedent? Moreover, the scheduled departure of the Pope from his office offers a more fluid and smooth transition into a new papal order, rather than the shock and haphazard environment that would normally follow a death.

Ultimately the Pope’s retirement will better position the Church for times to come. Said Ms. Schottland, “[The current Pope] is a theologian…he is not a people’s pope like John Paul II.” She added that the move “presents a great opportunity for the Church moving forward.”  Catholic Nick Verelli `14 agreed, saying that the resignation “shows perhaps that the Church is ready to confront the realities of the twenty-first century.”

Cynics of Pope Benedict’s decision comment that his presence will sway the election of the new pope and therefore produce a biased candidate. However, the process of electing a new Pope is largely democratic, consisting of a blind ballot cast amongst a group of cardinals. There is simply no evidence that the papal transition will be anything other than smooth and legitimate.

As Newark Academy students, we are often taught to understand how we shape the world as individuals. However, it is equally critical to fathom how the world, in such a momentous time, shapes us. The Pope’s resignation offers us the idea that change, even at a high level and against a centuries-old tradition, can be beneficial and pragmatic. As inhabitants of an eventful time and as scholars engaged in the world around us, we must understand Pope Benedict’s lesson as one that is universally applicable and relevant. In addition to the manifold religious implications that it holds for many of us on a personal level, this message of flexibility—of willingness to defy tradition when necessary—is possibly the greatest legacy that the Pope will leave behind.