A political application of the resignation of the Pope

 No matter how much I tried, I really did not quite understand a line much favored by many. For years on end, it would catch my attention every time someone said “a sound mind, in a sound body”.Menssana in corporesano (I hope my late father would forgive me if this Latin quote is incorrectly written) must have carried so much meaning far too deep for me to fathom because at certain times, I imagined that that the human mind could still very well function even if the body was somewhat infirmed.

The classic match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier could effectively demonstrate what many a people say as “mind over matter” which quote is, to me, an obvious derision, if not a derogation of  “a sound mind in a sound body”. I have seen many times over the film of that third encounter, dubbed the Thrilla in Manila. Ali was, in the thirteenth canto, on the verge of collapse. In the earlier rounds, his body absorbed the relentless blows of a constantly plodding Frazier. The severe physical punishment took a heavy toll. And it was obvious that his otherwise top physical composition was waning. He was no longer floating like a butterfly and his punches did not carry the sting of a bee anymore. Yet, while his body was not that sound, his mind, still very sharp, never entertained the idea of quitting. He willed to last for a round more until his opponent nicknamed “Smokin' Joe”, to the complete surprise of fight fans, called it quits.

    The news that the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, announced his retirement gave me the best explanation of “a sound mind, in a sound body”. His Holiness was quoted as saying that he needed both strength of mind and body to fulfill his ministry. Acknowledged as among the most brilliant theological scholars the Church has seen, the Pope cannot rely only on the soundness of his sharp mind. He needs a complementing physical wellbeing. Indeed, in realizing that his strength has “deteriorated in the last few months”, the Holy Father recognized his incapacity. Eureka! There is no better way to understand “menssana in corporesano”.

In all probability, His Holiness was not only talking about his own condition. After all, he could have chosen to limit his movements in the small area that the Vatican really is. No far-flung flock of his, like us in Asia, would suffer if he slowed down in his activities or perhaps, delegated some of his functions to the cardinals. In fact, we could understand the restraints imposed by his aging body.

But, to the Pope, the ministry and incapacity are incompatible. Ministering the needs of the Church is a trust such that if he was incapacitated in whatever ways, no matter how minimal, and still insist on being the Pope, he would violate that trust. That was why he opted to step aside and allow the process where someone could be chosen to give the ministry his full physical energy and the brilliance of his mind.

The situation of His Holiness is a good reflection upon our government officials. The example he is giving, and there is none better, is worth emulating. While the church and the state are, by reason of man-made laws, separate, the leaders of the latter can learn from the teachings of the leaders of the former. In any case, there is no questioning the moral ascendancy of the men in robe over civilians.

Government officials whose physical strength has ebbed in whatever way must be somehow incapacitated. Such physical incapacity results in the inevitable minimization of his ability to lead. Now, if the office that an official holds is an office of trust, his incapacity, like what the Pope said, affects that trust. Therefore, it is in the pursuit of that trust that the infirmed officer has to step aside in favor of someone else.

How I wish this teaching of the Holy Father seeps into mind of the honorable congressman from the Cebu City South District.

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