John Paul II and Benedict XVI, two conservative, traditionalist pontiffs, had 34 years to appoint members of the College of Cardinals. What are the chances for a progressive pope to be elected? Close to zero, I'd say. The few progressive cardinals (if there are any at all) in the college would be too old. Of course, surprises do happen. Choosing the next pope will hardly be an exercise in democracy, since no clergy, lay people, or even a large number of bishops have a say in the appointments of cardinals.Wistful Catholics hope that on this and other matters of disagreement between the church as People of God and the ruling powers in the church, a new pope can remedy that discord. But a new pope will be elected by cardinals who were elevated to office by the very popes who reaffirmed “eternal truths” like the teaching on contraception. They were appointed for their loyalty, as were the American bishops who stubbornly upheld the contraception nonsense in our elections.Will the new conclave vote for a man who goes against the teachings of his predecessors? Even if they do, can the man chosen buck the structure through which he rose without kicking the structure down? These considerations have given the election of new popes the air of watching Charlie Brown keep trying to kick the football, hoping that Lucy will cooperate.
And, if by a near miracle, even a semi-progressive pope were elected, he would have a hard time implementing progressive policies, considering that Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI had those same number of years to appoint like-minded bishops throughout the world.
One commentator thought the resignation radical and humble in its reinforcing the notion that the office of pope is more important than any individual ... but I think that's just another way of saying the institution matters more than the individual which is the excuse bishops and cardinals use when choosing not to prosecute criminals in their ranks ... protect the institution at all costs ... maybe it's time to kick down the walls, start again with nothing but the purpose of spreading the Word, not inflicting it, doing the works of faith and charity, not excluding anyone from the hearing and seeing and counting on a mercy we have yet to fully grasp ... get back to the basic understanding that one's relationship with God is not ours to judge but to encourage. But that is unlikely to happen because it relinquishes "power" and position and the delusion of dignitas so precious to the men who benefit from the current structure and who seem to treasure it above all else. Sad.
ReplyDeleteMarthe, saving the papal office is the same as preserving the institution, especially in the patriarchal, top-down structure of the RCC. If all religious institutions don't begin to knock down their own walls, the walls will come down anyway. Maybe not for a while, but churches, as we know them, are passing away.
DeleteClose to zero, but not zero.
ReplyDeleteMiracles DO happen.
Ain't that what I said, JCF?
DeleteI would say chances are slim and none and slim just left town. Then again, there's the Holy Spirit. Maybe She will be the "Belle of the Ball!"
ReplyDeleteThere's always the Holy Spirit, whiteycat. John XXIII!
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