Zrzeczenie się urzędu papieskiego – dopuszczalny wariant czy instytucja?

On 11 February 2013, Pope Benedict XVI announced, quite unexpectedly, that he decided to vacate the Holy See after his eight-year-papacy. The Pope’s decision soon became a fact, evoking manifold reactions within the Church and inspiring theological and canonical reflection. Numerous questions has been raised about the sense of the Pope’s resignation and its repercussions. In fact, a phenomenon of such importance and its tremendous overtone have to become a subject of an analysis directed at the present Church and the future as well. Therefore, we ask, at this point, about certain theological aspects of the resignation of the Pope from the office and about its consequences. We recognize the Pope’s decision to be legitimate and decent – the matter is indisputable. However, a question may be raised, namely, whether accepting this fact is enough for correct interpretation of this event and for speculation whether in future the Pope’s deed should become a standard. Is it right to introduce “an institution” of pope emeritus in the Church. We agree with cardinal Walter Brandmüller, who stated that: “The resignation of the pope is possible, and it has been done. But it is to be hoped that it may never happen again”.