CBCP head allays fears from ‘last pope’ prophecy

The head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines has said there is nothing to worry about so-called prophecies involving the “last pope” scenario, as Pope Benedict XVI leaves the papacy this month. CBCP president and Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma early this week said the Catholic Church will continue for many more years, adding there is nothing to fear about the prophecy of St. Malachy O’Morgair. “Even if the Pope resigns or in times of succession, the Church is always in the hands of God. The Church has been here for the past two thousand years and we’re here and we’re increasing,” Palma said in an article posted on the CBCP news site. He was referring to the supposed prophecy of St. Malachy O’Morgair in 1139 that the next pontiff would be the last and the Judgment Day will follow. In the supposed prophecy, there would be 112 more popes from his time to the Apocalypse, even as Benedict XVI is supposedly the 111th pope. Palma said that while Pope Benedict XVI will be missed, the Church will endure and will continue its mission. Benedict XVI had announced he would resign effective Feb. 28. The CBCP head also stressed Benedict XVI’s resignation should not be viewed as something negative because he did it for the good of the universal church. “There are big challenges and while we feel that it’s a great loss in the sense that he is a great pope, still to us we are challenged to believe that the Church is in the hands of God,” he said. — LBG, GMA News