WHO WILL FILL THE SHOES OF THE FISHERMAN?
Soon the eligible Cardinal-electors will process solemnly into the Sistine Chapel chanting the Litany of the Saints to elect the 266th successor to Peter the Fisherman.
As the Cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel they will be confronted with the massive and overwhelming Michelangelo fresco above the altar portraying the artist's impression of the Day of Judgement.
The Catholic Church appears to be in some turmoil. The allegations and proof of clergy abuse worldwide from Princes of the Church to the local priest is sickening. The all too apparent concealment of both crime and criminal in this respect is abominable.
The Catholic Church appears heartless and damning to its flock on issues of morals and ethics notwithstanding that same stance to those cruelly exploited and abused.
And all this, from 'men of God'.
I am reminded of a part of the first Epistle of St Paul to the Corinthians and I quote - "If I speak with the tongues of men, and of angels and have not charity I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal...Charity is patient, is kind; charity envieth not, dealeth not perversely, is not puffed up..." .
The Cardinal electors today may well be advised to take heed the final part of St Paul's admonishment in electing the next pope.
Charity in the context of this editorial needs to recognize and admit the guilt of all involved in clergy abuse and take real and meaningful measures to ensure this does not ever happen again. If this means depriving a prelate or cleric of ecclesiastical status - so be it. If this means that the Church will humanize the clergy by allowing them to have a family life - so be it.
Charity in my context also needs to recognize the Church's flock human needs - in particular love and all its connotations. It seems ludicrous to this scribe that celibate old men who do not know of the joys of human intimacy dictate, rule, and judge on matters of sexual ethics. And for those who do so mandate while breaking their vow of celibacy the stench of their hyprocisy reeks.
And where is the Church's charity, (read compassion), for those terminally ill who may wish to end their awful suffering and return to God. The Church damns them, refuses them a Funeral Mass and Catholic burial.
So where do we go for the next pope?
To attempt to answer my own question we have to go back to the politicking that has occurred over the last few days in Rome or more specifically since the time of the announcement of Pope Benedict XVI's resignation.
The perceived heartland of the Catholic Church is still seen as Europe and indeed this region has more than half the Cardinal electors. A formidable body but still pretty much dominated by the Italian Cardinals.
We look to the Developing or Third World and see terrible wars and a population explosion that cannot be cared for and nurtured because of the poverty and corruption that exists there.
The remainder of the Western World will be divided between north and south, east and west and may have little influence over the final result in the coming conclave.
Be that as it may another consideration is that all the Cardinal electors were appointed by Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. Thus they were chosen because they reflected the more conservative nature (doctrine-wise) of these popes. To believe that a more 'liberal' pope maybe elected is not likely but neither by a smaller margin unlikely either.
However this does not mean that some change can occur with the right candidate.
In this I suggest Cardinal Angelo Scola (Milan); Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi (a Curial Cardinal); and Cardinal Peter Erdo (Budapest) are most likely to become the favored candidates.
My personal preference would be Cardinal Ravasi, described by John Allen of the Catholic News Reporter as 'a biblical scholar, essayist and intellectual omnivore' . A man who can think it is believed quite liberally as well as being an advocate of dialog with modernity. Now that would be a good start.
Maybe more telling in this choice was the fact that Pope Benedict XVI chose Cardinal Ravasi to preach the last Vatican Lenten Retreat.
I have some hope in the coming conclave but I am also a little fearful - I remember the chilling words from the assassin in the movie 'Angels and Demons' regarding the powers that be in the Vatican - 'Be careful they are men of God'.
...and I wonder...
And all this, from 'men of God'.
I am reminded of a part of the first Epistle of St Paul to the Corinthians and I quote - "If I speak with the tongues of men, and of angels and have not charity I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal...Charity is patient, is kind; charity envieth not, dealeth not perversely, is not puffed up..." .
The Cardinal electors today may well be advised to take heed the final part of St Paul's admonishment in electing the next pope.
Charity in the context of this editorial needs to recognize and admit the guilt of all involved in clergy abuse and take real and meaningful measures to ensure this does not ever happen again. If this means depriving a prelate or cleric of ecclesiastical status - so be it. If this means that the Church will humanize the clergy by allowing them to have a family life - so be it.
Charity in my context also needs to recognize the Church's flock human needs - in particular love and all its connotations. It seems ludicrous to this scribe that celibate old men who do not know of the joys of human intimacy dictate, rule, and judge on matters of sexual ethics. And for those who do so mandate while breaking their vow of celibacy the stench of their hyprocisy reeks.
And where is the Church's charity, (read compassion), for those terminally ill who may wish to end their awful suffering and return to God. The Church damns them, refuses them a Funeral Mass and Catholic burial.
So where do we go for the next pope?
To attempt to answer my own question we have to go back to the politicking that has occurred over the last few days in Rome or more specifically since the time of the announcement of Pope Benedict XVI's resignation.
The perceived heartland of the Catholic Church is still seen as Europe and indeed this region has more than half the Cardinal electors. A formidable body but still pretty much dominated by the Italian Cardinals.
We look to the Developing or Third World and see terrible wars and a population explosion that cannot be cared for and nurtured because of the poverty and corruption that exists there.
The remainder of the Western World will be divided between north and south, east and west and may have little influence over the final result in the coming conclave.
Be that as it may another consideration is that all the Cardinal electors were appointed by Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. Thus they were chosen because they reflected the more conservative nature (doctrine-wise) of these popes. To believe that a more 'liberal' pope maybe elected is not likely but neither by a smaller margin unlikely either.
However this does not mean that some change can occur with the right candidate.
In this I suggest Cardinal Angelo Scola (Milan); Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi (a Curial Cardinal); and Cardinal Peter Erdo (Budapest) are most likely to become the favored candidates.
My personal preference would be Cardinal Ravasi, described by John Allen of the Catholic News Reporter as 'a biblical scholar, essayist and intellectual omnivore' . A man who can think it is believed quite liberally as well as being an advocate of dialog with modernity. Now that would be a good start.
Maybe more telling in this choice was the fact that Pope Benedict XVI chose Cardinal Ravasi to preach the last Vatican Lenten Retreat.
I have some hope in the coming conclave but I am also a little fearful - I remember the chilling words from the assassin in the movie 'Angels and Demons' regarding the powers that be in the Vatican - 'Be careful they are men of God'.
...and I wonder...
No comments:
Post a Comment