From the New York Times: "Vatican observers have spent years now honing their ever-changing lists of cardinals who are 'papabile,' or potential popes. Although the chosen successor may not have made any of these lists, there are certain names that keep cropping up as the cardinals to watch...Among the third-world contenders most often mentioned..."
wait, wait, wait. What? The cardinals would actually consider someone from the third-world for pope? That's the best news I've heard in a LONG time! Can you imagine if the either the bishop from Africa or Honduras, both of whom are active advocates of social-justice, and who are on the above-mentioned papabile list, were appointed? Good grief, I'd have no choice but to start going back to Church. It's as though somebody up there really is listening...
...which is not to say I'm not still willing to take the job...
11 comments:
Yeah, I guess that's sort of encouraging. But that article also had some stuff that wasn't so encouraging:
"With all but three of the cardinal electors having been appointed by John Paul, nearly all his potential successors fit his mold of doctrinal conservatism on issues like abortion and euthanasia, birth control, homosexuality and the ordination of women."
And if I'm not mistaken, Francis Arinze is the one who said Catholic politicians who are pro-choice should be denied communion. Again, not very encouraging.
Yeah, I guess that's sort of encouraging. But that article also had some stuff that wasn't so encouraging:
"With all but three of the cardinal electors having been appointed by John Paul, nearly all his potential successors fit his mold of doctrinal conservatism on issues like abortion and euthanasia, birth control, homosexuality and the ordination of women."
And if I'm not mistaken, Francis Arinze is the one who said Catholic politicians who are pro-choice should be denied communion. Again, not very encouraging.
ATF
I know it's a little gauche to speak ill of the dead, but let's face it: John Paul II, in an era of terrible suffering and poverty all over the world, lived in a giant gold castle and drove around in limousines. A step toward putting a representative from the areas of the world most afflicted by starvation and disease in the driver's seat of our church is a big step in the right direction. No, it's not ideal (which is why I will still take the position, if it's offered), but it at least suggests that the church is committed, in more than talk, to addressing the issues afflicting the third-world.
I don't think it's gauche at all. In fact, I prefer to speak ill of the dead -- there's less chance of a confrontation with them later.
And you're right, it would be a step in the right direction to have someone from those parts of the world. It's just depressing that the most progressive candidates are still so backwards when it comes to birth control, which is such a no-brainer.
ATF
A group of celibate men, backwards on birth control? Ye gods! Someone call the newspaper!
I'm hoping (somewhat against hope) that if a pope is elected who happens to be more acutely aware of and interested in redefining the church's stance toward, say, the AIDS crisis, then the issue of birth control will have to be revisited.
I claimed in one of my classes today that our country is edging dangerously close to theocracy, and one of the students responded, "what's a theocracy?" So I'm very glad we're able to have this conversation, ATF.
Wow, that's approaching Ralph Wiggam level: "What's a battle?"
Next time you really want to stump someone in class, use the word "kakistocracy," which means "government by the worst or most unprincipled citizens." Strangely enough, that word has been around for longer than the past 4 years.
I know I shouldn't be surprised that the catholic church is still totally fucked up when it comes to birth control -- Their track record for admitting mistakes is not exactly stellar. (I mean, they just admitted Galileo wasn't a heretic on like, Monday, right?) But still, it's ridiculous.
ATF
It seems to me that most of the birth control issues are coming from right here at home, not the papal throne. Remember, nobody seemed to care what the pope said about the war on Iraq, they only adopt the religious argument when it's convenient. The Vatican may support the Global Gag Rule, but it's the US government that actually imposes it. Does that mean the US government is even more sexually backwards than the Catholic Church? Hmm... Evidence is inconclusive... Let's call it a tie.
A couple of items:
1) How do we determine the degree to which local politics affect the translation of world-wide church policies for catholics? Or rather, to what degree could a world-wide policy actually affect a population governed by the Global Gag Rule? Certainly with Islam, the case is being made more and more for Muslims to run for elected office so that the de jure status quo in america is more amenable to their faith. That's happening like crazy in Dearborn, MI. I also think it's clear from visiting different congregations that there are vastly different degrees of accordance with the Vatican.
2) I don't even know if a world-wide faith policy on birth control could work, because I doubt the issues surrounding the use of birth control in America are exactly those of, say, Sub-saharan africa, where the AIDS crisis is worst. I have trouble figuring this one out.
3) As for caring what the Pope thinks, well, I think a lot of that has to do with his having been physically enfeebled for so long, and the avoidance practiced by the Vatican on dealing with the major issues of today. But anyone who went to Catholic school or has ever crossed paths with the academic brilliance of a jesuit priest or the dedication of a social justice nun has at least one clergy person with whom they are deathly afraid to mess. Remember that nun from the Blues Brothers? She was funny because she was true. The characteristics that make clergy so great were not present in our Pope for a long time. Were he to have had the same fervence and ferocity of Desmond Tutu , then you'd be looking at a VERY different catholic church.
Fanciest, I agree that the U.S. government is just as if not more backwards than the Catholic Church. Exhibit A is from the site 4parents.gov, where advice for parents on sex-ed is so awful it's surreal. Check out this site, where they list a bunch of "conversation starters"
http://www.4parents.gov/starters/index.htm
Enjoy.
ATF
When I read each item, I imagined a parent saying those things in the same exact sing-song voice every time, to a nine-year-old who proceeded to start crying after each one. I highly recommend that reading.
Oh, that site also had THIS to say!
"Be sure to tell your teen that having multiple partners in their lifetime can be one of the biggest threats to their physical and emotional health."
http://www.4parents.gov/talkteen/whatif.htm
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