EDITORIAL - Catholics must move on

The resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, effective at the end of this month, cited age and health reasons. All the world’s more than a billion Catholics should leave it at that. It is not the end of the world and they should be able to move on.

The announcement came as a shock because no pope has resigned since 1415 when Gregory XII did. Every living Catholic, therefore, has not come under such unusual circumstances ever, so it is only natural for every one of them to be shocked.

But Benedict XVI will not be the last. Even as the announcement was made, every cardinal must already be preparing to be called to a new conclave to elect his successor. The torch will pass on and the long line from Peter will continue to move on.

With the certainty of a new pope being named in a short while, it is best for Catholics to stop speculating on the “real reasons” for the resignation and just accept the fact that their pope gave them the real reasons.

Not that speculation is not tempting. After all, Benedict XVI presided over a Church that was rocked by many controversies. Pedophilia, sex abuse, same sex marriage, corruption — these are just a few of the many issues the pope has had to deal with.

Whether any or all of these controversies helped sap the strength of the pope, he is clearly not saying, and it would do the Church no good if anyone ever attempts to put words into his mouth.

Just as tempting is speculating on who the next pope might be. Here in the Philippines, there is already talk about how big a chance Cardinal Taglemight have. That is unfair to both the Church and Tagle.

Filipinos naturally would want to achieve a first in this regard. But lest we get carried away, each cardinal should have his equal fighting chance at the papacy. Singling out individuals is a waste of time over something that is beyond our own hands.

Besides, the papacy is technically open to a larger field of choices that includes any Catholic, although in practice the choices are limited to cardinals and, occasionally, some bishops. Urban VI was the last non-cardinal to be named pope. That was way back in 1379.