The Catholic community at Sacramento State has had mixed reactions to the news of Pope Benedict XVI’s recent resignation.

Senior social work major Rachel Davis said she was both disappointed and surprised when she heard about it.

“I was sad when I heard that the pope was resigning because he has been such an amazing leader for the Catholic Church since 2005,” Davis said. “It was sort of a shock only because it was such a big deal for the Catholic faith.”

On Feb. 11, Pope Benedict XVI, 85, announced he would be stepping down as head of the Roman Catholic Church at the end of this month, citing old age and health complications as the main reason.

In a statement issued to a group of cardinals at a public consistory two weeks ago, Benedict said he could no longer continue his duties for the Church.

He will be the first pope to resign in more than 600 years.

Senior business administration major Jaime Rodriguez, who considers himself a non-active Catholic, said he took the announcement as just another event in the Catholic community. He did, however, find the early resignation interesting considering how ingrained the life-term tradition is in the religion.  

“It’s kind of weird because a lot of these popes (serve) their whole lives. They don’t stop until they die,” Rodriguez said. “We’re in different times nowadays and it seems there are always new things going on in the world.”

Father James Doogan, director of the Newman Catholic Community at Sac State, said he thought it was wonderful the pope was breaking the tradition of staying in office until death.

“I think that he’s setting a good precedent for future popes,” Doogan said. “He is so respected and such an intellectual writer in our church. I think he’s making the way for other popes.”

Doogan said he remembered how hard it was to watch John Paul II finish out his pontificate – the term of office for a pope – before Pope Benedict XVI.

“After the attempted murder, (John Paul II) became really incapacitated toward the end of his life,” Doogan said. “It was almost painful to watch him try to do his papal duties.”

Senior math and government major Emilia Calderón, who serves as a student minister and sacristan for the Newman Catholic Community, said she found the news unsettling but understandable.

“Personally, I was really upset and sad,” Calderón said. “As (Catholics), the pope is our leader; we call him Holy Father. He helps unite Catholics around the world and he’s been our shepherd. I was a little depressed that morning.”

Regardless, Calderón said she respected Pope Benedict XVI’s decision and called it “the responsible thing to do.”

“Anyone who has suffered two strokes, irregular heartbeat and is so frail that he can’t walk to the altar might be obliged to resign,” Calderón said. “He’s our leader, but he’s human. We can’t expect perfection.”

In terms of how the Newman Catholic Community as a whole reacted to the announcement, Doogan said people were generally OK with it due to the liberal nature of their congregation.

“I think most people are glad. It’s surprising how many people say (that),” Doogan said. “It’s almost in compassion for the pope that we’re happy he was able to come to this decision himself.”

On the other hand, Calderón said more conservative Catholics might have taken the historic incident as angering.

Calderón said she knew where those Catholics were coming from as well.

“(The pope) is chosen by the Holy Spirit,” Calderón said. “Him saying no to (the papacy) is like him saying no to the Holy Spirit.”

While the Catholic community on campus may have had ambivalent feelings toward Benedict’s resignation, some religiously unaffiliated Sac State students simply had not heard the news.

“No, I didn’t even know,” said senior graphic design major Clayton Benge. “It doesn’t matter to me. I’m neutral to it. Good for him if that’s what he wants to do.”

The Catholic Diocese of Sacramento to support the pope’s decision to retire early.

The official website notes Bishop Jaime Soto wrote a letter on Feb. 15 on behalf of the diocese that expressed his admiration and gratitude for Pope Benedict’s service to the Church.

“Your gentle and wise exercise of the Petrine Ministry has enriched the church and the world with a kindly grace,” Soto wrote to Benedict. “You have been a faithful servant as well as a zealous disciple of the Lord. Our prayers will be with you as you give yourself to a life of prayer.”