Stroud priest Father Tom Gunning, says Pope Benedict wise to resign

“Pretend wizard? Maybe.
Magician? Probably not.
Deluded idol-worshipper? Quite likely.

'Good shepherd'? I'd like to see the proof of that. Although seeing as how there aren't many sheep running amock through the streets of Vatican City, maybe he does have a certain mastery of this rural skill.”

“an old boy with an imaginary friend jacks it in, big deal”

“Perhaps he just knew when to quit. No point in continuing in a job, if you are too old or ill do do it justice.”

“Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?”

“Why did he resign rather than retire?”

“He will be remembered as the Pope that quit. There are plenty of 'advisors' that would have run the Church, much as they do every day anyway.”

“Surly God would have given him strength to carry on, or has his God forsaken him?”