President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday commended Pope Benedict XVI for displaying what he called exemplary wisdom and courage by stepping down from his position as a result of old age.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President prayed that the College of Cardinals would be able to elect aworthy successor to the retiring Pope.
He wished him a peaceful retirement.
The statement read, “President Goodluck Jonathan applauds the exemplary wisdom and courage shown yesterday (Monday) by Pope Benedict XVI in his decisionto voluntarily relinquish the Papacy because of his advanced age and growing inability to keep up with the physical and mental demands of the office.
“On behalf of himself, the FederalGovernment and people of Nigeria, President Jonathan wishes the Pope a very peaceful and restful retirement at the end of this month.
“The President trusts that even inretirement, Pope Benedict XVI will continue to contribute to the spiritual well-being of the world in every possible way and that hewill continue to offer prayers to God Almighty for global justice, equity, peace and progress.
“He prays that as they prepare to assemble in the Vatican to elect anew Pope, God Almighty will grant members of the College of Cardinals the wisdom and divine insight they will require to bring forth a worthy successor to PopeBenedict XVI who will build on the outgoing Pontiff’s commendable achievements as head of the Worldwide Catholic Church.”
Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishop ofEkiti Diocese, Most Rev. Felix Ajakaye, has advised Nigerian leaders to emulate the action of Pope Benedict XVI, who resignedfrom his position due to old age.
Ajakaye said this in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday while speaking with journalists.
He said, “It is lessons to all of us that we should let go when we know that we cannot continue. He has said that due to old age he could not continue with the rigours of coping with the demands of office and old age. So, having studied himself, he decided to take a noble action.
“His spirit is willing but his body is weak in carrying on with the demands of office. He became the Pope at 78, unlike the former Pope John Pall ll, who ascended the papacy at 58, Pope Benedict will turn 86 years later this year.”
According to Ajakaye, the insinuation being generated by the Pope’s plan was informed by ignorance knowledge about the church’s teachings and doctrine.
The bishop dismissed insinuation that the Pope’s planned resignation would cause crisis, saying the church had since the beginning put in place a succession arrangement on how a new Popes are elected by the College of Cardinals.
http://www.punchng.com/news/jonathan-lauds-pope-for-voluntarily-relinquishing-power/

Noted.

Ok but mister president maybe you should step aside too. You're bereft of ideas. You lack the balls needed to prosecute BH sponsors and the cabal. You are not mentally fit to be the president sir.