Pope Benedict's intention is lost in the Vatican's poor translation of his Declaration
《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.》
Here's what he really said: Conscientia mea iterum atque iterum coram Deo explorata ad cognitionem certam perveni vires meas ingravescente aetate non iam aptas esse ad munus Petrinum aeque administrandum.
He does not say his strengths are "no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry"; but, "no longer suited to the adequate administration of the munus Petrinum". He makes the critical distinction between the munus and its administration. This key distinction is lost in the poor translation.
《I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering.》
What he really said: Bene …More