What Benedict XVI means to us Catholics

Today, Pope Benedict XVI officially stepped down as the Vicar of the Catholic Church. It has been a couple of weeks since he made the declaration to resign, an unprecedented event in the last 600 years in the history of the Church. Like most Catholics, I was consumed with surprise and sadness with the Pope's decision. It took a while before the emotion died down, and with good merit, so we can see this event objectively. All Catholics should reflect on this Spirit's movement within the Catholic Faith.

And at this point that a Conclave is about to commence at the heart of Catholicism, it begs to ask the question, what does Pope Benedict XVI mean to the whole Church?

It is only with complete trust to the Holy Spirit's movement should we see this historical events unfolding before us. Benedict XVI came at the wake of so much doubt on the Catholic Faith. A lot of the Church's teachings and doctrines are being attacked by world policies, cultures, and way of life. The new generations' thinking and mentality is being formed in conflict with a lot of the Church's teachings and standards.

Is it not very timely that someone who heads the Congregation of the Catholic Faith, in the person of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, becomes the head of the Church? And as Pope, Benedict XVI did what he does best. He defended the Faith, it's teachings and its standards from conflicting mentalities.

The timing of Benedict XVI's leadership is perfect in the history of the Church. And I firmly believe that we cannot have any other fit Pope than him in the last 8 years.

But now that he is going, we should trust the same Holy Spirit to give us a fit Pope for the times. The next Holy Vicar, I believe, will continue the next phase of the Catholic Church's history in the making, it's pilgrimage, it's continuous journey towards the salvation of souls.

Benedict XVI, as the vanguard of the Faith, as the lighthouse of the Faith, has served his time. When we Catholics groped in the dark of doubts and conflicts in our belief, his presence, policies, declarations, and stand become a symbol of stability. This is what Benedict XVI means to all Catholics. This is what Benedict XVI means to the Catholic Church.