Possible Successors

[Ani Ibi]

Originally Posted by chevalier

Ratzinger or Sodano would be the most obvious choices, which probably means they won't be elected. I doubt Tettamanzi will make it. Maybe Maradiaga? Cardinal Macharski, the Pope's successor in his previous see of Cracow would be great, but he's already 78.

There is some talk that the Cardinals will chose an interim Pope. That panics me. I do so hope for someone who will stay with us. So many things seem so precarious and seem to need a long pontificate. I remember how heartbroken many of us were when JPI died after less than a month. Remember how much we loved him? We called him the Smiling Pope.

[Detroit Sue]

Originally Posted by Franze

We want Arinze and his name Peter II

I'm thinking Augustine I

[Asking]

Here in Argentina the press says our Cardinal Bergoglio could be pope, I like him, but I dont think they will pick a jesuit as pope, even though he is an orthodox priest.

[Ani Ibi]

Originally Posted by Asking

Here in Argentina the press says our Cardinal Bergoglio could be pope, I like him, but I dont think they will pick a jesuit as pope, even though he is an orthodox priest.

I've heard some things about Bergoglio as well. Is he not multilingual? I gather that one of the problems of many North American cardinals is that they are not multilingual.

I hope we get someone who just loves us very much. I am feeling like an orphan.

Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, SJ, Archbishop of Buenos Aires (Argentina) , was born in Buenos Aires on 17 December 1936. He studied and earned a diploma as a technical chemist, but then chose the priesthood and entered the seminary in Villa Devoto. He entered the novitiate of the Society of Jesus on 11 March 1958 and completed his humanities studies in Chile before returning to Buenos Aires in 1963 where he obtained a degree in philosophy from the Philosophy Faculty of the San José Major College in San Miguel.

Between 1964 and 1965, he taught literature and psychology at the Immaculate Mary College in Santa Fe and from 1966, he taught the same subjects at Saviour College in Buenos Aires.

From 1967 to 1970, he studied theology at the Theology Faculty at the San José Major College, in San Miguel. He was ordained a priest on 13 December 1969.

In 1970-71, he finished his third probation at Alcalá de Henares (Spain) and he took his final vows on 22 April 1973.

He was master of novices at Villa Barilari, San Miguel (1972-1973), professor at the Theology Faculty, Provincial Consultor and Rector of the Major College. On 31 July 1973, he was elected Provincial of Argentina, a position he held for many years.

Between 1980 and 1986, he was rector of the Major College and of its Philosophy and Theologoy Faculties. He was also parish priest of Patriarca San José in the diocese of San Miguel.

In March 1986, he went to Germany to finish his doctoral thesis; on his return, he was assigned to the Saviour College, going from there to the Jesuit church in the city of Cordoba as spiritual director and confessor.

On 20 May 1992, Pope John Paul II named him titual Bishop of Auca and Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires. He was consecrated on 27 June in the Cathedral of Buenos Aires by Cardinal Antonio Quarracino, Monsignor Ubaldo Calabresi (Apostolic Nuncio) and bishop of Mercedes-Luján, Monsignor Emilio Ogñénovich.

On 3 June 1997, he was named Coadjutor Archbishop of Buenos Aires and succeeded to full governance of the Archdiocese on 28 February 1998, following the death of Cardinale Quarracino.

He has written the books: «Meditaciones para religiosos» (Meditations for religious) in 1982, «Reflexiones sobre la vida apostólica» (Reflections on the apostolic life) in 1986 and «Reflexiones de esperanza» (Reflections on hope) in 1992.

He is Ordinary for the Oriental-Rite faithful living in Argentina without their own Ordinary. He is second vice-president of the Argentinian Bishops' Conference and, as a member of the Executive Committee, is a member of the Permanent Commission representing the Province of Buenos Aires.

He is currently a member of the Episcopal Commission for Catholic Education and of the Argentina Catholic University, of which he is Grand Chancellor.

He is a member of:
- Congregations: for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, for the Clergy.

Asking: have you read his three books?

[Kendall]

Originally Posted by JMJ_Pinoy

According to the San Diego Union Tribune, observers believe that these men are among the front runners:

Cardinal: Francis Arinze
Age: 72
Country of birth: Nigeria

Cardinal: Norberto Rivera Carrera
Age: 62
Country of birth: Mexico

Cardinal: Godfried Danneels
Age: 71
Country of birth: Belgium

Cardinal: Ivan Dias
Age: 68
Country of birth: India

Cardinal: Oscar Andres Rodriguez Maradiaga
Age: 62
Country of birth: Honduras

Cardinal: Joseph Ratzinger
Age: 77
Country of birth: Germany

Cardinal: Giovanni Battista Re
Age: 71
Country of birth: Italy

Cardinal: Dionigi Tettamanzi
Age: 71
Country of birth: Italy

Cardinal: Alfonso Lopez Trujillo
Age: 69
Country of birth: Colombia

Might also consider: Cardinal Christoph von Schönborn of Vienna
He was instrumental in putting the latest Catechism together. I think he has earned favor because of that feat.

[CatherineofA]

I am not Catholic, but I think he should be European. I think if he were African, from the Americas, or the East, it might be more a move of politcal correctness. The tradition is violated with anyone but a European and puts the church in the position for "changes." Maybe even basic doctrinal ones. Change comes in baby steps. For this reason, I would like to see them avoid choosing a non-European.

[Ani Ibi]

Originally Posted by Kendall

Might also consider: Cardinal Christoph von Schönborn of Vienna
He was instrumental in putting the latest Catechism together. I think he has earned favor because of that feat.

He is very young too!



Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, O.P., Archbishop of Vienna and Ordinary for the faithful of the Byzantine rite in Austria , was born on 22 Janaury 1945 in what is now Skalsko, the Czech Republic. He studied theology at Le Saulchoir, philosophy and pyschology at the University of Vienna, Slavic and Byzantine Christianity at the Sorbonne and theology at the Catholic Institute of Paris. He was ordained for the Dominicans on 27 December 1970. He obtained a licentiate in theology in 1971 and a doctorate in theology in 1974 in Paris.

From 1973 to 1975 he was Chaplain at the University of Graz. He taught dogmatic and Eastern Christian theology at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland. He was member of the Theological Commission of the Swiss Bishops’ Conference (1980-1991), Swiss Commission for Dialogue between Orthodox and Roman Catholics (1980-1987), Swiss Commission for Dialogue between Roman Catholics and Christians (1980-1984), International Commission of Theologians (since 1980), and the Foundation ‘Pro Oriente’ (since 1984). From 1987 to 1992 he served as secretary of the commission responsible for drafting the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

On 11 July 1991 he was appointed titular Bishop of Sutri and Auxiliary of Vienna and was ordained on 29 September 1991. He was then appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Vienna on 13 April 1995 and became Archbishop of Vienna on 14 September 1995.

In 1996 he preached the Lenten spiritual exercises for the Pope and the Roman Curia. He is the author of many publications.

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by John Paul II in the consistory of 21 February 1998; titular church, Jesus the Divine Worker.

Since June 1998 he is President of the Austrian Bishops’ Conference.

Curial membership:
»Doctrine of the Faith, Oriental Churches (congregations)
»Culture (council)
»Cultural Heritage of the Church (commission)
»Special Council for Europe of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops

[Ani Ibi]

Originally Posted by CatherineofA

I am not Catholic, but I think he should be European. I think if he were African, from the Americas, or the East, it might be more a move of politcal correctness. The tradition is violated with anyone but a European and puts the church in the position for "changes." Maybe even basic doctrinal ones. Change comes in baby steps. For this reason, I would like to see them avoid choosing a non-European.

I know what you mean about political correctness. I think there are some very acute needs in certain non-European areas of the world, however, including North America or at least the Americas. Materialism and globalization is a spectre not even on the horizon anymore but in our midst. I actually have some worries about them going back to an Italian pope. I don't see the sense in that. Can anybody explain the thinking behind having another Italian pope?

[Hildebrand]

Originally Posted by Asking

Here in Argentina the press says our Cardinal Bergoglio could be pope, I like him, but I dont think they will pick a jesuit as pope, even though he is an orthodox priest.

Forget about becoming a pope, his eminence should be made a saint for being the only truly Catholic Jesuit priest!


I am ready to go back to having an Italian pope, maybe Cardinal Ruini.

[Ani Ibi]

Originally Posted by Hildebrand

I am ready to go back to having an Italian pope, maybe Cardinal Ruini.

Any reasons why you are ready to go back to an Italian pope?

[K-McD]

I just wanted to let you all know that I am putting my name in the hat for Pope. I am available and ready to accept the nomination of Supreme Pontiff. I am half Italian and half Irish and German mix, so you'll get a good representation of nations. Since the Lord could do great things with lesser men, I am a perfect candidate; being the recovering scum-bag that I am.

[Scott Waddell]

Originally Posted by Ani Ibi

I actually have some worries about them going back to an Italian pope. I don't see the sense in that. Can anybody explain the thinking behind having another Italian pope?

Worries like what? Are Italians like 50% less likely to have the Holy Spirit or something? This is about electing a man, not a country.


Scott

[st_felicity]

Originally Posted by K-McD

I am a perfect candidate; being the recovering scum-bag that I am.

Is that one of the prerequisites? Geez! I know a LOT of potential candidates!

[st_felicity]

I LOVE Arinze

Originally Posted by CatherineofA

I am not Catholic, but I think he should be European. I think if he were African, from the Americas, or the East, it might be more a move of politcal correctness. The tradition is violated with anyone but a European and puts the church in the position for "changes." Maybe even basic doctrinal ones. Change comes in baby steps. For this reason, I would like to see them avoid choosing a non-European.

I so don't get this...CATHOLIC means universal--to look at skin or country of origin just screams "not of the Holy Spirit"! Sure--it would have the press gawking but regardless of the perceived "tradition" (lower case "t") and the perceived "changes" that are speculated should a non-Euro Pope be named--the choice of Pope is divinely inspired....We are all the image of God--despite what pundits might like or dislike. The man who should be Pope--will be Pope.

[nevancik]

The more I think of it, the more I thinks that the conclave will elect Maradiaga. He is young enough to meet the kinds of rigorous demands that the new pope will have to face, and those will include being as active as John Paul II was, as well as being a Pope who will have to do much travelling. He also is the leader of the Council of Latin American Bishops. Being the leader of the Latin American Church makes him the leader of 450 million Catholics, in an areas where Catholicism is deeply rooted, doctrinally conservative. The nations of Latin America also have laws and are culturally more in tume with the Church ,as abortion is illegal in all of Latin America, homosexuality is still not very accepted, and divorce is also not legal in most of the area, with it only becoming available in Chile in the last few years. They have had some experience dealing with having to find ways to increase church membership after a period of losing members, as well as dealing with losses to other churches. He is conservative regarding church doctrine, such as right to life, but is also as strong a champion of social justice as John Paul II was. While abortion and euthanasia may be major issues in the wealthy America and Europe, in the third world where two thirds of the Catholic Church lives, issues of poverty, torture and social justice as just as important as the issues of abortion and euthanasia, if not more so, as they are not legally available in large areas of the Catholic world anyway.Thus a church in which abortion and euthanasia are considered to be issues of greater import than hunger, disease and political oppression is to ignore the realities for 2/3rds of the worlds 1.1 billion Catholics,where social justice far outweighs other life issues.

I am a little amused when I see many of the suggestion made by American Catholics for the next Pope, as many of them seem to be making their decisions based on the needs of the relatively small American Catholic Church with nary a thought of our Catholic Brothers in the third world, who are a much larger group.
A candidate who keeps the doctrine of the Church yet is able to meet the needs of Catholics who do not have the privilege of living in the wealthy nations of the world and address a "Gospel of Life" and a "Culture of Life" as it applies to their lives is needed.