[Mrs. Don-o]

I don't think the gay cardinals "had anything" on Benedict --- if it's blackmail you're implying. I think they just blocked him in all the complicated, underhanded, lying, devious, hostile-oppositional, passive-aggressive ways they can. Maybe they threatened other innocent parties, maybe an array of them, who they could drag through the filth or even physically endanger.

Benedict went to the only power that can prevail --- devotion to profound prayer to the only Lord, Jesus Christ --- and I believe that was the right thing.

Not that I have any special insider information. I don't.

[Praxeologue]

I don't think the gay cardinals "had anything" on Benedict --- if it's blackmail you're implying. I think they just blocked him in all the complicated, underhanded, lying, devious, hostile-oppositional, passive-aggressive ways they can. Maybe they threatened other innocent parties, maybe an array of them, who they could drag through the filth or even physically endanger.

Then why didn't he stand and fight the evil, as a true leader would?

The plausible explanation is that he was complicit and the Lavender Mafia could prove it.

[eater-of-toast]

The media’s having ganged up on Benedict as a supposed villain in the Catholic Church’s child sex abuse scandal may also have influenced his decision to retire. I recall some senior Catholic clerics voiced suspicions of particular anti-Christian forces that may have arranged for the stories to be hyped in media after Benedict made statements they disliked, but my internet searches aren’t turning up any of the articles I’d read. Perhaps some savvy FRiend can help me here.