He Steps Down To Walk Tall

Should Pope Benedict XVI have abdicated due to ‘advanced’ age? FRANCIS GONSALVES reflects on the Pope’s decision

 "Please take your seat" is an invitation at functions to initiate proceedings. However, the seat is also a symbol pregnant with power. Thus, when functionaries literally ‘take their seats’ and get used to the trappings of the power the seat brings, problems strike. The surprising announcement of Pope Benedict XVI to retire from office made me reflect on what the seat symbolises.

The seat is prominent in biblical imagery. God takes a “seat on high” (Psalm 7:7; 113:5). There are more than two dozen references to the ‘mercy seat’ on which God rests, and more in the Book of Revelation, with God portrayed as King ‘seated’ on a heavenly throne. Since kings supposedly represent God’s protective and providential functions, the king, too, is installed upon an assigned ‘seat’ (1 Sam 20:25; 2 Kings 11:19).

‘Seat’ is also the designated image for various functions in Hebrew society. Priests have a “seat at Jerusalem” (2 Chronicles 19:8) and the Pharisees “sit on Moses’ seat” (Matthew 23:2) signifying their authority to competently interpret the law. Town elders also have a respectable “seat” (Proverbs 31:23). Present-day parallels are University ‘chairs’ and the peeth of professors.

In the Ramayana, Bharata is aware of the importance of the throne. When he fails to persuade Rama to return to Ayodhya, he wisely leaves Rama’s seat vacant and places his padukas in front of it to symbolise Rama’s rule in absentia; this way, he, Bharata, is but Rama’s representative.

The Greek cathedra, meaning, ‘seat’, is long linked to Popes and Bishops. The cathedral is the chief church from where the bishop preaches and presides over his congregation. Similarly, ex-cathedra, literally meaning ‘from the seat’, refers to solemn pronouncements made by the Pope in matters of faith and morals.

From February 28, the Holy ‘See’ or ‘seat’ will be with sede vacante (Latin meaning ‘with empty seat’). Speculations are rife about ‘why’ this apparently conservative Pope has broken a 600-year-old tradition and about ‘who’ will now occupy the empty seat. Rather than discuss ‘why’ and ‘who’, let’s profitably view Benedict’s decision in the light of Life.

“I have examined my conscience before God, and I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of my ministry…for which both strength of mind and body are necessary…I have had to recognise my incapacity to adequately fulfil the ministry entrusted to me.” The Pope’s declaration sounds sincere — a humble acceptance of his inability to continue occupying the papal cathedra.

It’s not uncommon to see authority figures stubbornly stuck to their seats even when they’re incapable of shouldering responsibilities concomitant with their posts. Politicians, professors and priests refuse to be unseated, either implying that their happiness depends solely on seats or that no one else can adequately replace them. In India, with most of the population being young and vibrant, gerontocracy blocks innovation.

Better Stop Clinging

Mother Nature has an infinite capacity to birth, grow, rise and rule, as well as to age, weaken, surrender, decay and die. She wisely limits the reproductive function, associated with leadership, assigning it to the earlier periods of life. Letting go is the law and leaven of life. There are other gifts and values reserved for the elderly different from the endowments of executive power.

It’s wiser to step down rather than to be emptied out. When one’s physical power and prowess decrease, one can blossom into being an ‘authority’ in the field of one’s expertise. Let’s learn to occupy the seat productively, and eventually vacate it. Surely, the emptiness of one’s seat also strikingly suggests the height of one’s stand.

The writer is principal, Vidyajyoti College of Theology, Delhi.