The decision by Pope Benedict XVI to resign due to his “advanced age” and “deteriorating strength” has been received in the local religious community with surprise, admiration and as a sign of his humility.

When the Rev. Michael Pucke awoke Monday morning to news reports of the Pope Benedict’s resignation, he said it was the last thing he expected to hear.

“I was surprised,” said Pucke, pastor of St. Julie Billiart Parish in Hamilton. “I agree with those in Catholic circles who think that it’s a gesture of humility for a person in that position to step aside when he’s not able to continue.”

Rev. John Civille, pastor of Holy Family Parish in Middletown, said the demands of Pope Benedict’s job would be difficult for a healthy person.

“You have to wonder how anyone could do it, especially when your health starts to fail,” Civille said. “It becomes insurmountable.”

Civille said when health becomes an issue, he should step down for the good of the church and let someone else take over.

“The worse thing he could do is to stay on if he’s incapacitated,” Civille said.

Civille said the future pope would be of a similar mindset to Benedict, and he doesn’t expect any major changes in the church. He said most of the nearly 120 cardinals who are eligible to vote were created by either Benedict or his predecessor, the Blessed Pope John Paul II. A cardinal may not vote in the conclave to elect a new pontiff if they are more than 80 years old.

The Rev. Thomas McCarthy, parochial administrator for St. Joseph’s Parish in Hamilton and Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Trenton, said he was “shocked, but not surprised.”

McCarthy believes the pope who was becoming more frail, understood his limitations under the weight of his office that carries a tough schedule.

“I think there has to be a sense of wisdom and prayer that he wanted to do what was best for the church,” McCarthy said. “He’s a very humble man.”

McCarthy doesn’t believe the pope’s resignation will have much of an impact or create major changes as the church has been around for 2,000 years.

Joe Schutte, a St. Joseph parishioner and former Hamilton fire chief, said he “was very stunned” with the announcement.

“It certainly leaves a lot of unanswered questions about his health,” Schutte said. “As a cardinal, he said a pope could resign and have a life in contemplative prayer.”

“I admire him for acknowledging it (his limitations) and moving on and letting someone else do it,” Schutte said.

He said having a retired pope and a new pope will be an interesting relationship as it will chart new territory for the modern church.

Brian Pendergest, principal of Badin High School in Hamilton, said the announcement “was a little bit of a surprise because there were no rumors out there.”

Pendergest said the resignation announcement was the topic of discussion in classes at the Catholic high school.

“The kids will get to see the process of the a pope being selected,” he said. “It’s a very good educational opportunity for them.”

Pendergest said a religion teacher shared with him that Benedict had once written that the pope must be physically and mentally able to do the job.

“He is a man of his word,” Pendergest said.