Austrian Cardinal: Pope Is Dying

[DuctapeFatwa]

One of Europe's top cardinals said Thursday that Pope John Paul II was nearing "the last days and months of his life," the first ranking prelate to say the 83-year-old pontiff is dying.

With John Paul visibly weaker in recent weeks, concern over his health has been growing. Austrian Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn was the second leading prelate this week to express alarm over the pope's health.

"The entire world is experiencing a pope who is sick, who is disabled and who is dying - I don't know how near death he is - who is approaching the last days and months of his life," Schoenborn, who is the archbishop of Vienna, told Austrian state broadcaster ORF.

Schoenborn is considered a possible candidate for the papacy. His spokesman, Erich Leitenberger, later told The Associated Press the comments were "to be interpreted philosophically."

http://www.local6.com/news/2527690/detail.html

[jenk]

1. his death better not distract from Leakgate

.

[Matilda]

2. It will. Junior couldn't have planned it better.

[rl6214]

3. Is there a provision to remove a pope from power

or do you have to wait for him to die or step down? He seems unable to peform his duties anymore yet refuses to step down.

[Matilda]

4. It has been done by force way back in the Middle Ages, and

at one time there were two rival popes, one in Italy and one in Avignon in France. But there doesn't appear to be any legal means
these days, if a Pope doesn't want to go. I think there should be,
because this Pope hasn't been presenting a good image for the Church
for a long time, but it suits the Curia, because they can push their
very regressive agenda while he's pretty well helpless. I don't see
why there can't be a mandatory retirement age as there is for all
other churchmen, from parish priest to cardinals, o the Church should become more democratic, with a council to govern different areas, and the Pope should be a figurehead. One man shouldn't have the right to push his own agenda on everyone, not in modern times.