Letters to the Editor

Pontiff a master wordsmith

Like Robert B. Moynihan, founder and editor-in-chief of Inside the Vatican magazine and author of The Moynihan Report, I too wondered about the use of the word “renounce” in Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation announcement. Webster’s New 20th Century Dictionary, 2nd edition, gives the answer under the first definition and in the synonyms: 1. to give up, usually by a formal public statement (a claim, right, opinion, etc.). Syn. - abandon, abjure, disown, disclaim, abdicate, forsake.

With the choice of that word—“renounce”—the Holy Father has made it absolutely clear that “There will be no danger of ‘two popes.’” Pope Benedict XVI will have abandoned, abjured, disowned, disclaimed, abdicated and forsaken his holy office. He could not have chosen a better word. What a master of language he is. And, more importantly, how charitable and humble of him to tell the world that the next Holy Father will be his and our Holy Father—all accomplished with one word, “renounce.” God bless him.

George A. Morton
Editor, The Parish Visitor
Monroe, N.Y.