Pope Benedict XVI to Resign From Papal Office

The Pontiff will be the first pope to resign in nearly 600 years. We want to know what people in Wilmette and Kenilworth would like to see in the next pope. What sort of policies and traits do you want him to have?

Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation from the papal office effective Feb. 28, The Vatican Today reports.  The Pontiff made the announcement early this morning, citing his age and health concerns as the primary reason for leaving the position.  “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,” Pope Bendict XVI said. Read and listen to Pope Benedict XVI’s announcement on the Vatican’s website.  Pope Benedict XVI, formerly known as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, was elected as the successor to Pope John Paul II in April of 2005. He will be the first pope to resign in nearly 600 years. Pope…

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Cardinal George Says Same-Sex Marriage Is 'Against The Common Good', Do You Agree?

Cardinal Francis George releases a strongly worded letter as the State Legislature moves closer to a vote on gay marriage.

As gay marriage moves closer to a vote in the Illinois General Assembly, Cardinal Francis George has released a letter attacking the notion of same-sex marriage itself and urging Catholics to voice their objections.  A vote could happen in the Senate as soon as today as lawmakers look to pass the legislation during the lame duck session. Illinois would become the 10th state in the country to allow same-sex marriages. In his letter, George argued that because same-sex marriages cannot be consummated and are not undertaken for the purpose of conceiving children that government, "has no power to create something that nature itself tells us is impossible." He qualifies his argument by writing that the Catholic church offers support for the gay…

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