VOA慢速英语2013 Pope Benedict Says Goodbye as Leader of the Worldwide Roman Catholic Church

 

Pope Benedict Says Goodbye as Leader of the Worldwide Roman Catholic Church

From VOA Learning English, this is IN THE NEWS in Special English.

Pope Benedict gave his last public blessing¹ this week to tens of thousands of people in Saint Peter’s Square in the Vatican, the church’s administrative² center. The resignation of the leader of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church took effect Thursday.

On Wednesday, the 85-year-old leader took one final ride through the square in his open vehicle. He stopped at times to bless a baby. Later he told the crowd that he has been through some moments that were “not easy.” The pope said, “To love the Church also means having the courage to take difficult decisions.” Some observers said the comment was a reply to his surprising decision to resign.

Benedict recognized that his decision was not expected. He told Catholic believers that he made the move with what he called “profound serenity³ of spirit.” The most recent papal resignation was  almost 600 years ago, when Pope Gregory the Twelfth stepped down.

Father Thomas Rosica, the director of a Catholic television network in Canada, was among those listening to Benedict’s final address. Father Rosica says the pope’s decision to resign is a way of teaching Catholics about surrender.

“Pope John Paul II taught us the profound lesson of his papacy, especially in the final years, about suffering and dying. Pope Benedict has taught us another lesson. He's taught us about surrender. We don't cling to power and authority and office and privilege, when our energies are no longer there.”

Benedict said the Church had troubles and “stormy waters” during his eight-year leadership. But, he said God will not let the institution sink. He urged all Catholics to always put the good of the Catholic Church before their own personal desires.

The pope has had to answer accusations⁴ of corruption⁵ and sexual abuse by Catholic clergy⁶ members. He has dealt with the leak of thousands of private documents that reportedly show dishonor in the church. And, there has been a decrease in the Catholic faith within Europe.

Before leaving on Thursday, Benedict said goodbye in private to Roman Catholic  cardinals. He urged these high-level officials to unite as they prepare to choose the next pope among their number.

Pope Benedict will now be called “pope emeritus” and continue to wear the white clothing he wore while serving as pope. Many people have criticized the decision to let him stay in the Vatican. They say his presence could create tension with the new ruling pope. Pope Benedict has said he plans to live quietly in prayer and meditation⁷ in his words, “hidden to the world.”  He also promised to show “unconditional reverence⁸ and obedience” to the next pope.

The Pope left the Vatican Thursday by helicopter and arrived at his new temporary home, Castel Gandolfo, south of the Vatican. He will return to the Vatican and live in what is called a convent in a few months.

In a final message on his official Twitter account, the leader of the world’s more than one billion Catholics thanked his followers⁹ for their “love and support.”  He also wrote, “May you always experience the joy that comes from putting Christ at the center of your lives.” 

1 blessing   

n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿

参考例句：

• The blessing was said in Hebrew.祷告用了希伯来语。
• A double blessing has descended upon the house.双喜临门。

2 administrative   

adj.行政的，管理的

参考例句：

• The administrative burden must be lifted from local government.必须解除地方政府的行政负担。
• He regarded all these administrative details as beneath his notice.他认为行政管理上的这些琐事都不值一顾。

3 serenity   

n.宁静，沉着，晴朗

参考例句：

• Her face,though sad,still evoked a feeling of serenity.她的脸色虽然悲伤，但仍使人感觉安详。
• She escaped to the comparative serenity of the kitchen.她逃到相对安静的厨房里。

4 accusations   

n.指责( accusation的名词复数 )；指控；控告；（被告发、控告的）罪名

参考例句：

• There were accusations of plagiarism. 曾有过关于剽窃的指控。
• He remained unruffled by their accusations. 对于他们的指控他处之泰然。

5 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

6 clergy   

n.[总称]牧师，神职人员

参考例句：

• I could heartily wish that more of our country clergy would follow this example.我衷心希望，我国有更多的牧师效法这个榜样。
• All the local clergy attended the ceremony.当地所有的牧师出席了仪式。

7 meditation   

n.熟虑，（尤指宗教的）默想，沉思，（pl.）冥想录

参考例句：

• This peaceful garden lends itself to meditation.这个恬静的花园适于冥想。
• I'm sorry to interrupt your meditation.很抱歉，我打断了你的沉思。

8 reverence   

n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬

参考例句：

• He was a bishop who was held in reverence by all.他是一位被大家都尊敬的主教。
• We reverence tradition but will not be fettered by it.我们尊重传统，但不被传统所束缚。

9 followers   

追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件

参考例句：

• the followers of Mahatma Gandhi 圣雄甘地的拥护者
• The reformer soon gathered a band of followers round him. 改革者很快就获得一群追随者支持他。