Pope Francis had some advice yesterday for his 19 new Cardinals:
Go here to read the rest. No intrigue, gossip, power pacts, favoritism? Well, a Curia without those elements certainly would be a novelty. Christ of course foresaw all this, which is why He said that leaders should be servants and not attempt to be lords. History reveals how well His admonition has been followed.
True, but no reason not to remind the assembled Cardinals, just as it might help to remind the laity that the Ten Commandments are still in force.
I suspect that many of the Cardinals are, in their own minds innocent innocent of gossip, intrigue, &c. But they certainly pass along critical information to trusted, like-minded friends and act together for the good of the Church and try to promote good people who share their ideas.
“True, but no reason not to remind the assembled Cardinals, just as it might help to remind the laity that the Ten Commandments are still in force.”
Agreed, but I suspect that this statement by the Pope will have as much effect as similar statements by previous Popes to their cardinals.
Pope Francis is like an iron hand in a velvet glove. Will red hats be recalled if the wearers fall from grace?
Well, one of the new cardinals is a careerist par excellence. No names, no pack drill, but his cathedral choir (the best of its kind in the world) was singing in St Peter’s over the weekend, which is why Benedict made a surprise appearance on Saturday.
“Pope Francis is like an iron hand in a velvet glove”.
Well put, Mary de Voe. Every time he speaks my angel says “another two by four from Papa. Go to confession! ” 🙂