Ratzinger Comments on Papal Selection

[pprimeau1976]

Here is an article from the National Catholic Reporter:

http://www.nationalcatholicreporter..../pt041505c.htm

They quoted Ratzinger as saying:

Perhaps the final word on the subject should belong to the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Joseph Ratzinger. He was asked on Bavarian television in 1997 if the Holy Spirit is responsible for who gets elected pope, and this was his response:

“I would not say so, in the sense that the Holy Spirit picks out the pope. ... I would say that the Spirit does not exactly take control of the affair, but rather like a good educator, as it were, leaves us much space, much freedom, without entirely abandoning us. Thus the Spirit’s role should be understood in a much more elastic sense, not that he dictates the candidate for whom one must vote. Probably the only assurance he offers is that the thing cannot be totally ruined.”

Then the clincher: “There are too many contrary instances of popes the Holy Spirit would obviously not have picked.”

What is everbody's take on that?

[chicago]

He's clearly right on target. Obviously, the Church's prayer is that the cardinals will be open to the Love of God such that they will be guided to select the man who can best serve the Church in this ministry. However, it IS an inherantly human process, also. Grace builds upon nature. The cardinals might be inspired to select some individual who the Spirit is leading them to in a particular way. Or they might just select some individual who they like but is not necessarily the best guy or the one who would be most desirable to the Lord. They could even fail to be open to the Spirit's guidance. Nonetheless, the Spirit will offer the protection that their selection will be a vaild pope forseen in God's Providence and unerring in infallible teaching.

[Richardols]

Originally Posted by chicago

He's clearly right on target. Obviously, the Church's prayer is that the cardinals will be open to the Love of God such that they will be guided to select the man who can best serve the Church in this ministry.

I agree. And, if worse comes to worst, and they pick someone who has no business being Pope, we can trust the Holy Spirit, at least, to protect the Church from that Pope.

[dumspirospero]

I think his comments are accurate and precise...I couldn't agree more...I am hoping and praying we get Ratzinger for Pope, or someone like-minded....I would absolutely abhor the thought of a Mahoney-like Pope..

[HagiaSophia]

For parallel discussion see Holy Spirit thread:

http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=49997