The Latin Phrase ‘Quo Vadis Domine’ translates as ‘Where are you going, Lord?’
The words are associated in Catholic tradition with an apocryphal story stating that when the apostle Peter was running away from persecution and the threat of crucifixion because of his Christian belief, he met the risen Jesus Christ carrying His Cross once more. Peter was shocked as he asked his Lord where he was going. Jesus answered that since Peter had run away from his flock (the church) and refused to be crucified, then Jesus had to return and be crucified again. Peter felt remorseful; he told Jesus he didn’t need to be crucified again and promised to return and indeed be crucified upside down, just to honour JESUS who had been crucified upright.
Though the crucifixion of Peter isn’t described in the Bible, the story of ‘Quo Vadis Domine’ is an encouragement to all Christians, especially those who are persecuted for their Christian faith and are willing to die for it for the glory of God. You may ask yourself if this story is still relevant in the 21st century.
Quite recently, practicing Catholic and former President of Ireland Mary McAleese wrote a book entitled Quo Vadis? Collegiality in the Code of Canon Law which took on some specific, important debatable topics such as how power and responsibility are shared between the Pope and the College of Bishops within the Catholic Church.
When Pope Benedict XVI announced that he would be resigning, the first Pope to do so in more than 600 years, and with all implications, debates and reforms which will surely follow after, one could argue that McAleese had written intuitively or prophetically, that she somehow saw it coming.
As the world awaits who will be the next Pope, the more relevant question to Ireland is whether Cardinal Sean Baptist Brady is in with a chance of election. After all, Ireland is currently assuming the rotating presidency of the European Union, and having the Irish Pope at this moment would strengthen the church and bring about a spiritual revival that is badly needed in Europe. We can only hope and pray that the will of God be done.
Domine, doce nos orare! (Lord, teach us how to pray!)
Pastor Thomas Baganineza is an ordained minister who has been pastoring for more than 10 years. He graduated from Global University and is currently a freelance columnist and writer.
