Cardinals meet in Rome to find a new pope every time a pope dies. But a pope retiring? Now that is truly historic. In fact, the last time a pope went voluntarily (Pope Gregory XII who resigned in 1415 did so under pressure) was Celestine V. His resignation in 1295 so enraged the poet Dante Alighieri that he allegedly assigned a place for the retiring pope in the antichamber of his Inferno! Today, with the Vatican amid controversy, there are still critical commentators alongside the many faithful admirers.
With no modern precedent, it’s a situation worthy of examination. Personally, I found a lot of depth packed into Benedict XVI’s statement of resignation. Most surprising? He spoke of a process and an action that parallels the first steps of Initiatives of Change’s core approach to changemaking: Make a space for reflection to seek inner wisdom and then start with yourself; engage in dialogue in diversity and take focused action.
In his statement, Benedict XVI said:
‘After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, 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. I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering.
‘However, in today's world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me.’
Space for reflection. The nature of the world he describes in his statement would suggest that taking time in silence would be critical in order to respond to the needs of the age, the Catholic Church and his personal life. Later in his statement, he speaks of retiring into a life of prayer, suggesting that quiet meditation played a central part in his discernment process.
IofC proposes that space for reflection is a critical first step in creating change in oneself and immediate situation. It is in time set apart from the sights and the noise of the world that one can see something we couldn’t see or hear something new. Without time apart, it can be difficult to gain the needed perspective to be an agent of change.
Seeking inner wisdom. Humility, particularly in admitting the limitations of one’s own physical and mental capacity, does not come easy for most. Perhaps even more so when it comes to abdicating enormous influence. His confession was striking because of that. In particular, he speaks of repeatedly examining his conscience before God, which demonstrates a desire to challenge the pulls of selfishness, egotism and fear that can be powerful motivators and block perception of wisdom.
Authentic humility is often a sign of wisdom. Some other symptoms of wisdom are unconventional thinking and decisions that open up new possibilities for others and/or the work one is undertaking. In creating change, more of the same is rarely the answer. Wisdom is needed from the most valuable sources.
Start with yourself: Personal Responsibility and Integrity. Even with his ability to dictate orders and call others to change, Benedict XVI took a personal action by resigning his own esteemed position. He took the plunge himself. This sense of personal responsibility and integrity is deeply needed in the world and the Church. And it must start with individuals acting courageously to create change.
Dialogue in diversity and Take focused action. That Benedict XVI would take these steps and present them before the Church (and the world) sends a strong signal – particularly to his priesthood. It’s a model for personal accountability and change.
But it also poses a question: where to from here? I’m curious to see how the Church responds, not in terms of protocol, but in how it wrestles with the challenges outlined by Benedict XVI. How will this dialogue unfold? What kind of actions will we see in response? My hope is that his personal decision will spur on new conversation about change at a wider level. That would be a powerful legacy.
Chris Breitenberg, from Virginia Beach, is member of the International Council of Initiatives of Change and serves as Director of Communications for IofC International. He writes here in his personal capacity.
NOTE: Individuals of many cultures, nationalities, religions, and beliefs are actively involved with Initiatives of Change. These commentaries represent the views of the writer and not necessarily those of Initiatives of Change as a whole.
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