Student role-play presages papal resignation

Dr Pat Cullum on the surprise resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. 

The resignation of Pope Benedict XVI was a shock to many of those close to him as well as in the wider Catholic communion and as so many have pointed out is the first in almost 600 years. Last week History students at The University of Huddersfield role-played the Council of Constance, (1415-17) the last occasion on which a pope resigned. On that occasion Gregory XII ‘voluntarily’ resigned in order to help heal the Schism in the church which had led to the election of three rival popes. Students used role-play to explore the difficulties which the church faced over competing claims to power and authority, over the nature and extent of reform, and over important areas of faith.

The Conclave which will meet next month to choose the next pope will also be facing problems. Schism will not be on the agenda, but the restoration of authority over a Western laity which ignores the Papacy on issues of sexual morality and no longer seems to have an appetite for the celibate priesthood remains a problem. After two European (but not Italian) popes it may be time to turn to a pope from Africa, Asia or Latin America, where the church is still strong. However, after the long pontificate of Jean Paul II and that of the current pope it is unlikely that any of the current cardinals will seek to take the church in a radically different direction. Perhaps it is time to have another Council of Constance which brought together not only Cardinals, but archbishops, academics and even kings from across Europe to address the problems of the modern church. Huddersfield History students could show them how.