Tacoma-area Catholics reacted with shock, surprise and concern today to Pope Benedict XVI’s announcement that he will resign Feb. 28.
When John Songco of Fircrest read the news alert on his cellphone, he thought: "This is something. This is really big."
Songco said he'd rather the 85-year-old pope remain in his position to provide continuity, even if he is ill.
Pope John Paul II "continued serving despite what illness he had,” said Songco, 33, holding his 5-month-old daughter after morning Mass at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Tacoma.
Parishioners at Tacoma's largest Catholic parish expressed a range of emotion about the unexpected news.
Paul Frohlich, 70, said he wants "whatever's best for the pope."
“I wouldn’t want him overtaxed,” said Frohlich, 70, of Tacoma. “I’m sure he prayed about this decision and chose the right thing to do – not only for himself but also for our church.
“I wasn’t expecting it,” Frohlich said.
Neither was Maryann Kalapus, of University Place.
She said she was shocked by the news.
“I just heard it on the radio,” Kalapus said after Mass. “I hope he’s not ill.”
Rich Rewolinksi noted it’s not the first time a pope has stepped down. But it’s a first in 600 years
“I’m not totally stunned like some people,” said Rich Rewolinski, 72, of University Place. “It’s kind of a surprise.”
The Rev. Michael McDermott, St. Charles’ pastor, asked parishioners twice during the Mass to pray for the pope.
In a statement today, Archbishop J. Peter Sartain, spiritual leader for 600,000 practicing Catholics in Western Washington, said he reacted with “strongly mixed feelings” like many Catholics
“His decision is clearly a very personal, spiritual one, and it expresses his unfailing care and concern for the church he has served tirelessly throughout his life,” Sartain said.
“Having had the opportunity to meet him on several occasions, I have always been struck by his humility and kindness,” said Sartain, who called “ Benedict “a brilliant theologian.”
“He will be missed, but we may be assured that, as with all his decisions, his announcement today was made prayerfully and for the benefit of the church and all people of faith.”
JOIN THE DISCUSSION | Register here
We welcome comments. Please keep them civil, short and to the point. ALL CAPS, spam, obscene, profane, abusive and off topic comments will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be blocked. Thanks for taking part — and abiding by these simple rules. A thorough explanation of rules of conduct can be found in our Terms of Service. If you have any questions, including why your comment may not be showing immediately after you submit it, be sure to visit the commenting FAQ.