OLPH Pastor: Pope's Resignation Comes Out of 'Great Care' for Church

With the shocking news that Pope Benedict XVI will resign at the end of this month spreading across the globe Monday, here in Lindenhurst, Monsignor Joseph DeGrocco of Our Lady of Perpetual Church told Lindenhurst Patch he "was surprised [by the resignation] only because it is kind of unusual."

Benedict, 85, is the first pope in nearly to 600 years to step down. According to the Associated Press, in his resignation address, which he delivered in Latin during a meeting of cardinals at the Vatican on Monday, Benedict 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."

Speaking of the message he will rely to parishioners, DeGrocco said there's no cause for alarm or worry because of the pope's resignation. 

"The Holy Father I think did this out of a great care and concern for the church," DeGrocco said. "He feels that this is the best thing to do and the Holy Spirit will continue to guide the church."

Although it's been six centuries since the last pope resigned, DeGrocco said the resignation is "not without precedent."

"There are procudres in Canon Law for this," he added, "so in that sense, the church has been around a long time so we just kind of continue on."

What are your thoughts on Pope Benedict's resignation? Share them in the comments section, below.

Related Coverage:

• OLPH Pastor: Pope Francis Will 'Nourish Our Faith'
• OLPH Pastor: Pope's Resignation Comes Out of 'Great Care' for Church
• OLPH Church Gets New Pastor
• Lindy Native & OLPH Alum Named Auxiliary Bishop

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