More time for Cardinals not based in Rome to talk and think.
Conclave Watch: Conclave Starts May 7
- Donald R. McClarey
Donald R. McClarey
Cradle Catholic. Active in the pro-life movement since 1973. Father of three, one in Heaven, and happily married for 43 years. Small town lawyer and amateur historian. Former president of the board of directors of the local crisis pregnancy center for a decade.
Who knows if this Kremlinology is correct?
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I figure someone employed in the curia is part of Team Francis or is a practiced institutional politician.
I can’t think of any downside to a slow process.
The 2/3 vote requirement may mean we are in for a long conclave concluded by the exhausted selection of a cypher that will fill the chair of Peter but not necessarily the best requirements of that position. Comments by secular pundits along political lines note that Pope Francis appointed a large number of the Cardinals but I doubt their final selection will be similar to Trump winning all the swing states.
May will be the month of speculation – and the month of respite from off the cuff… pontificating.
Maybe, just maybe, it will also convince rabid hyperpapalists that a very active pope is not required to keep the Church running. Think about it. I can deal with there not being a bishop in Rome for far longer than I can deal with there not being a priest in my parish. I’m not saying we need no pope – I’m just saying his most crucial public functions are of a once in a while nature. The Mass and He who is present there is immeasurably more vital to everyday Catholicism than who the pope happens to be. Put a different way, only a fool goes to sea without storm gear, but one does not need to use that essential gear every day of the voyage.
TBO:
We need a pope who will be active behind the scenes to clear out the perverts (and their abettors) and clean up financial irregularities. That will require energy and dispatch, and can’t be hidden. It’s long past time for a man who can kick some cassock! Too bad Sixtus V is not available.
Tom-
I certainly agree that a courageous, zealous, holy pope willing to make enemies in the pursuit of Christ’s mission is ideal. I also think that expecting a curia mainly appointed by Francis to appoint such a man would require a miracle.
I am not at all opposed to miracles.
[…] Conclave Analysis, Punditry, and News:Conclave to Elect New Pope to Begin on May 7th – D.R. McClarey, J.D., at the American CatholicMonday Mid-Day Edition – Big […]
“More time for Cardinals not based in Rome to talk and think.”
Add one more item, please.
To Pray.
“I certainly agree that a courageous, zealous, holy pope willing to make enemies in the pursuit of Christ’s mission is ideal.”
My pastor’s homily this past weekend was that we should be such strong and lively Christians as to annoy people with our mercy. My first thought was “but we need to annoy the right people.”. And I couldn’t but help of think of Pope Francis. He didn’t annoy the right people with his mercy. He annoyed all the wrong people.
I hope they are not biding their time, scheming to take certain Cardinals out of the race if you know what I’m saying.