Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, archbishop of Krakow, Poland, released a statement regarding Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation which was announced yesterday morning. Prior to being named Archbishop of Krakow, Cardinal Dzwisz served as Blessed John Paul II’s personal secretary during the late Holy Father’s pontificate.
Cardinal Dzwisz stated that he accepted Pope Benedict’s decision with «great respect and emotion.» «I understand the reasons that the Holy Father presented to the members of the consistory,» the cardinal said.
«After John Paul II’s death, Benedict XVI has guided Christ’s Church with great reflection and wisdom, which come from his exceptional intellectual ability as well as his deep faith. I thank the Holy Father for all his efforts to renew the Church in the spirit of fidelity to the Teacher of Nazareth.»
The Archbishop of Krakow also expressed this gratitude for his friendship with John Paul II as well as for beatifying him. Cardinal Dzwisz noted that Pope Benedict showed «exceptional benevolence toward the Polish nation.»
Gratitude and Fidelity
Speaking on a personal level, Cardinal Dzwisz stated he would be forever faithful and grateful «for everything that I have received from him.»
«The Church in Krakow will be eternally appreciative to the Peter of our time: Benedict XVI,» he said.
Concluding his statement, Cardinal Dzwisz said that he would unite in prayer and dedication along with the Holy Father as he retires to a life of prayer and reflection. «I entrust Benedict XVI to the Holy Spirit and to Our Lady of Lourdes, the patroness of the day,» the Archbishop of Krakow said.
