Should the Pope Resign?

In today's Charlotte Observer newpaper, a syndicated opinion writer makes some interesting arguments for the pope's resignation.

Syndicated columnist Michael J. McManus writes: "Sadly, it is time to say publicly what has been whispered privately: The time has come for the valiant and remarkably effective Pope John Paul II, now 83, to resign."

McManus quotes Father Richard McBrien, Notre Dame professor of theology who says: "If the pope were to retire, it would make an extraordinarily important spiritual statement that would have a global impact. He would show by his action that no one is indispensable, not even a pope, and that we must always be ready to relinquish power for a greater good."

Peter Steinfels, Catholic author of a new book, A People Adrift: The Crisis of the Roman Catholic Church in America, believes that if the pope resigns, "it would further nail his reputation in Catholic history because it would give a new model of transferring papal responsibility. Today extended periods of decline and incapacity are made much more likely by modern medicine. Resignation would be a real gift to the church."