A Definition of a ‘Conservative’ to which I subscribe.
I was going to do a Blog on the History of Shaving but today’s announcement by the Pope caused me to delay it for a day or two.
Now back to Pope Benedict’s announced retirement today.
Had the dear Pope called me for his advice, in advance, as a Conservative, I would have had to tell him that this is simply not done.
Resign that is.
The job of Pope is for life; otherwise it becomes less meaningful. And can also become contagious.
Indeed, when I heard it on the morning’s news, the announcer quickly followed up by wondering if Queen Elizabeth would be next to announce.
Queens and Popes, dear reader, do not retire; they die with their boots on. Or at least they should.
As a Conservative, I like to think that upon coronation they are instilled with some ultra humanness – (perhaps though, I am just deluding myself).
But I cling to that idea and despite physical and mental disability, believe that they should continue to the very end. Rather like ‘till death do us part’ in marriage ceremonies. Death, like Life are inseparable.
And of all people to let us down. Pope Benedict was viewed as old school – a keeper of tradition and here he is resigning in the face of some 600 years of continued history.
So we now move into the era of part time appointments in the sense that they are no longer to be considered for life.
Rather in keeping with the disposable society we have come to accept over the course of the last many decades.
Plus change revolves all about us – gone is the sanctity of the family – the former ‘corner stone of society’. Marriage too has been co-opted virtually without debate.
The work ethic is under attack as more and more want to sit back and enjoy their unearned entitlements. Too many look out for their own interests without a care for those for whom they betray – e.g. Our Esteemed Senators.
And now, in the face of all of this, we have the Pope joining the fray when the desperate need is for someone to continue to stand up above the maddening crowd.
I have no doubt that Pope Benedict’s intentions are most noble. He is indeed frail of body and now likely has been diagnosed with a debilitating mental deterioration. But by removing himself, he removes an otherwise constant from all our lives. A constant that we all so desperately need.
As I see it…
‘K.D. Galagher’
