Mana‘olana asked some of Hawaii’s youth and young adult ministers what they thought of the impending papal transition. Here’s what some of them said.
1) How do you feel about Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation?
- “Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation was definitely a surprising moment (and even more surprising when I found out this hasn’t happened in the last 600 years!). But I greatly admire his courage to make this decision and his example of being a true servant leader.” (Kainoa Fukumoto)
- “It took a considerable amount of courage and discernment to resign as pope. It was obvious that he was thinking of the Body of Christ as a whole and demonstrated what living the Paschal Mystery meant.” (Kalae Martin)
- “By resigning from his position as the shepherd of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI displayed his humbleness through the realization that he can no longer serve the people of God at a capacity that is required by his office.” (Dann Ebina)
- “At first like most other people, I felt shocked and the thoughts that our beloved pope was ill flooded my mind. Then, when I began reading on the web and hearing about his resignation on the news, I felt confused. So I went to trusted sources to seek out what they knew and felt comforted in their reports.” (Chrislyn Villena)
- “It is interesting that his announcement of his resignation was on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.” (Joeleny Isidro)
- “At first I was really shocked, but when I read his statement I felt at peace because I felt it was a really bold and noble move, especially because his decision was based on much prayer and discernment. I also feel strongly that he has fulfilled his call to Christ as the pope, but now it’s time for him to move on to where the Lord is calling him next.” (Rhea Quemado)
- “I think it is very commendable for the pope to step down because he felt he was not able to do the job anymore. I applaud him and thank him for all he has done.” (Bobby Morris)
- “I respect his decision to step down. I understand that it must be extremely difficult to visit members of the church at every corner in the world. Also, I believe that Pope Benedict would keep going if he had the good health.” (Matthew David)
2) How has this pope made a personal impact on you?
- “He has been an intellectual pope whose writings seemed to have a more profound impact on me than anything else. Even his slightest, simplest remarks are often filled with so much wisdom and a deep spirituality that it causes me to think on it for long periods of time.” (Kainoa Fukumoto)
- “I had the privilege to attend World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid among thousands with the pope. I was in awe to witness the crowds in silence as we were brought to our knees when he brought out the Blessed Sacrament. It was a realization that we are all called to be an instrument of Christ, just as the pope is.” (Kalae Martin)
- “Following in the footsteps of Pope John Paul II, Benedict XVI expressed not only a desire but a necessity to reach out to the young people of the world.” (Dann Ebina)
- “I have never met him but truly felt loved from a person who prays for me daily. He doesn’t even know me by name but because of his love for God and his dedication to his ministry as our leader, I never felt more loved by a stranger.” (Chrislyn Villena)
- “It was a blessing to celebrate two World Youth Day Masses with Pope Benedict XVI. At my first WYD in 2005, Pope Benedict XVI said ‘The Body and Blood of Christ are given to us so that we ourselves will be transformed.’” (Joeleny Isidro)
- “He always wanted to better serve the people and right now the only way he could do that was to step down and let someone else lead. That makes a great leader. It takes a great deal of courage, humility and the Holy Spirit to make such a big decision like that, but I really feel the Holy Spirit was with him and is still with him.” (Rhea Quemado)
- “The Jesus of Nazareth books are wonderful and very enlightening.” (Bobby Morris)
- “I admire his humility and the wisdom that he has imparted.” (Matthew David)
3) What do you hope the next pope will be like?
- “I hope the next pope is younger. I feel that Pope Benedict XVI has set a precedent for future popes to resign if they feel they no longer have the capabilities to fulfill the duties of this important position, so a younger — and just as wise — pope would at least allow the church the possibility of having a leader for years, and perhaps decades, to come.” (Kainoa Fukumoto)
- “I hope that the next pope will be whatever God is calling him to be.” (Dann Ebina)
- “I hope the next pope will be someone who loves the ministry as much as his predecessors and bring some new insight into uniting different generations. It’s hard to bring harmony to the young people and the elders when they just don’t understand each other.” (Chrislyn Villena)
- “I hope the next pope is energetic and in good health.” (Joeleny Isidro)
- “I hope our next pope will be just as amazing, and will bring more new strengths and knowledge. I really hope and pray that he reflects Jesus just like the popes in the past, and he continues to let the Spirit lead and remember this is God’s church and God leads. It’s not about us but about God and glorifying our beautiful and wonderful God who gave us the church as a gift and a reminder of his love, grace, and mercy.” (Rhea Quemado)
- “I hope the next pope tries to make an effort to reach out to the people like Benedict did. I like how he tried to reach out to people on their level, like making a Twitter account and producing easy to understand ‘Jesus of Nazareth books.’” (Bobby Morris)
- “I hope the next pope will continue the new evangelization. I hope that he is on fire for the faith and continues to reach out to the world.” (Matthew David)
4) Any words of ‘aloha’ for Pope Benedict XVI?
- “Mahalo, Pope Benedict XVI … a hui hou!” (Kainoa Fukumoto)
- “Mahalo nui loa for your ‘yes’ to the Lord and for serving his people.” (Kalae Martin)
- “May the Lord continue to bless you in your retirement. ‘Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven!!’” (Dann Ebina)
- “Thank you Papa B-16 for all your prayers, your love and your actions, especially the YouCat (Youth Catechism). It’s a means that helped bridge the gap between different generations here in our parish.” (Chrislyn Villena)
- “Thanks be to God for the eight-year pontificate.” (Joeleny Isidro)
- “I just want to thank Pope Benedict XVI for his service and for giving his life to do the will of God and to continue to do his will. Thank you and aloha for all that you have done for us and for the church. May God bless you, give you peace, and be with you always until the end of age.” (Rhea Quemado)
- “I would like to thank Pope Benedict for all the work and faithful, holy example throughout his lifetime.” (Bobby Morris)
- “I pray that the Lord will continue to shower him with blessings as he goes into a life of prayer.” (Matthew David)
