SR 10 (LSB 2510SS (5) 85)

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 10

BY  JOHNSON and HART

A Resolution honoring the life and work of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

   WHEREAS, Benedict XVI is now pope emeritus of the Roman Catholic Church, serving as the 265th pope from 2005 to 2013; and
   WHEREAS, Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger, born in 1927 to a pious German family, was ordained as a priest in 1951; and
   WHEREAS, following a distinguished career spanning five decades, rather than taking the comfort of a well-earned retirement, Cardinal Ratzinger was called for higher service when he was elected pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church; and
   WHEREAS, taking the name Benedict XVI, he became the spiritual leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics; and
   WHEREAS, Pope Benedict XVI during his tenure was a tireless advocate for social justice, speaking for those whose voices would not have been heard otherwise, and a proponent of religious freedom, tolerance, and cooperation, deepening ties with many religions; and
   WHEREAS, also known as an academic, scholar, and teacher, Pope Benedict XVI is a prolific writer, having written 66 books throughout his life; he also has authored numerous articles and established a journal devoted to theology, and he oversaw the preparation of the new Catechism of the Catholic Church; NOW THEREFORE,

   BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE, That the Senate honors the life and good works of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and wishes him a long and peaceful retirement; and

   BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Secretary of the Senate is directed to provide a copy of this Resolution to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.