Papabile?
By Phil Lawler (bio - articles ) | December 17, 2003 6:36 AM
Just for the record: Cardinal Martino is eligible to be elected Pope-- as is every other bishop. But I have never seen his name on any list of papabili.
It's bad enough that he'll have the opportunity to vote in a papal conclave. But let's not get carried away and suggest that he ever had a real chance to be elected.
The reports suggesting that he is (or was) papabile are, I think, intended to heighten the impact of his comments yesterday, to make it a more sensational story. It's sensational enough as it is.
|
An appeal from our founder, Dr. Jeffrey Mirus: Dear reader: If you found the information on this page helpful in your pursuit of a better Catholic life, please support our work with a donation. Your donation will help us reach five million Truth-seeking readers worldwide this year. Thank you! |
Easter Campaign: Progress toward our Spring 2013 goal ($24,002 to go):
$80,000.00
$55,997.55
30%
70%
|
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
-
Posted by: -
Dec. 17, 2003 9:58 PM ET USA
Actually, some years ago, Martino's name WAS being bandied by American "progressive" Catholics as their choice for the next pope. Can't recall where I read/heard this, but it would have been NCR or a statement by McBrien or Reese.
-
Posted by: Phil -
Dec. 17, 2003 9:49 PM ET USA
Well, you do have to be a bishop to be Bishop of Rome. Yes, theoretically one could be elected to the papacy first, and consecrated a bishop later. But from a canonical perspective, my wife wouldn't let me.
-
Posted by: -
Dec. 17, 2003 7:21 PM ET USA
"Just for the record: Cardinal Martino is eligible to be elected Pope-- as is every other bishop." Good news, Phil. YOU'RE eligible too. Every male Catholic is. You don't have to be a bishop, or even a cleric. Now: what should Leila wear to the inaugural ball?
-
Posted by: bgn -
Dec. 17, 2003 11:22 AM ET USA
I think the Cardinal (Martino) is trying to prove to the Europeans that his 17 years in New York didnt Americize him. Having observed him and being solicted for contributions often by him VERY INTERESTING bgn
-
Posted by: patriot6908 -
Dec. 17, 2003 8:43 AM ET USA
Whenever a Vatican spokesman like Cardinal Martino makes incredibly stupid statements, e.g., the American treatment of Sadaam Hussein, it fortifies the anti-Catholic feelings that linger among Christian conservatives. The Church's internationalist approach often sounds like a liberal Democratic sermon on pre-eminence of the UN. Conservatives wisely view the UN with great suspicion as a body of bureacratic meddlers that is attempting to establish an authoritarian world order.
