Tulsa's Christ the King to lead a vigil for pope
BY BILL SHERMAN World Religion Writer
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
2/27/13 at 3:38 AM
Catholics and Protestants are invited to a prayer vigil that will be held during the final hour of the papacy of Pope Benedict XVI.
The vigil will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday at Christ the King Catholic Church, 16th Street and Quincy Avenue.
"This seemed like an opportune moment to gather in prayer, when history is taking place," said Monsignor Daniel Mueggenborg, Christ the King pastor who organized the event.
"The role of the pope, and the ministry of the pope, affect Christians around the world, not just Catholics," he said.
Benedict last week stunned Catholics by announcing he would resign as pope, the first to do so in six centuries.
His papacy will end at 8 p.m Thursday Rome time, which is 1 p.m. in Tulsa.
"We wanted to be able to accompany him with our prayers as he approaches that hour," Mueggenborg said.
Bishop Edward J. Slattery of the Diocese of Tulsa has asked people to pray for the pope, thanking God for his ministry, and also to pray for the Catholic Cardinals who will be meeting to select the next pope.
Thursday's prayer vigil will be held following a noon special Mass.
Benedict gave his last final public prayer on Sunday at the Vatican before a crowd of thousands.
He told them he will be dedicating himself to prayer and meditation, and that he is not abandoning the church.
The Vatican said that Benedict spent Tuesday morning packing. He is expected to spend the next few months in his summer home at a lake town about 15 miles from Rome while renovations are completed on his retirement home, a residence attached to the Mater Ecclesiae monastery at the Vatican.
He will keep the name Benedict, be known as emeritus pope, and will wear white in his retirement.
A new pope is expected to be in place by Easter, March 31.
Thursday vigil
What: Prayer vigil for retiring Pope Benedict XVI.
When: 12 to 1 p.m. Thursday.
Where: Christ the King Catholic Church, 16th Street and Quincy Avenue.
Original Print Headline: Local church to lead vigil for pope
Bill Sherman 918-581-8398
bill.sherman@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
Pope Benedict XVI leads a Vespers prayer in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. Associated Press file
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