This is a great tool for discussing the Church.
Views of Cardinals on Key Issues
Francis' powerful sway over the forthcoming conclave is revealed in a National Catholic Reporter analysis of the biographies, background, articles, speeches, homilies and media interviews of members of the College of Cardinals, providing for the first time an in-depth look into the views of the men who will select the successor to St. Peter.
Among NCR's findings:
- At least 100 of the cardinals have embraced synodality, a cornerstone of Francis' pontificate that calls for increased lay participation, reformed governing structures, and greater accountability among church leadership.
- Nearly half the cardinals support Francis' focus on climate change and care of creation, another signature issue for the late pontiff, who issued two major documents imploring the world to take urgent action to preserve the planet.
- On other issues, support among the electing cardinals is more mixed or uncertain. It is unclear what most cardinals think about promoting women into church leadership positions, another Francis initiative, and blessings for same-sex couples. There is lack of clarity because few statements could be found indicating the views of scores of cardinals.
The data, compiled by more than a dozen NCR journalists through research on each of the cardinal electors, can be seen in a public interactive database for readers to search and sort by demographics, geographic location and experience in the Roman Curia
It's a little disconcerting that fewer than half the cardinals are thought to support Francis's focus on care for our common home. Although perhaps that number should be understood to mean that fewer than half have made public statements in support of that initiative?
ReplyDeleteRe: promoting women into church leadership positions, and blessings of same-sex couples, I'd be really sorry if those initiatives backslid. But it's possible the conclave won't consider those issues to be of the first rank.
Btw, my wife mentioned that there was black smoke coming from the chimney. So apparently we don't habemus ourselves a papem yet.
ReplyDeleteYes. One vote down. n to go. Yes, the pope’s voice on Climate Change was nonpareil.
ReplyDeleteThe issue that has my attention is that some cardinals are pushing back hard on the idea that non-ordained people can be in positions of authority in the Roman Curia. This just seems like clericalism on steroids, and unwillingness to share power with lay people. And it is unclear what, if anything, would require those positions to be occupied by a priest.
ReplyDeleteFrancis was a good man whose holy example pretty much fizzled with Catholics in the US who reelected Trump. I don't expect things to change regardless of who is elected. But the conclave is an opportunity to bring back Fr Guido Sarducci, so there's that: https://youtu.be/mmRVuB5exLM?si=JoPhcmTW3QdmDKqv
ReplyDeleteIf Tagle is elected, Francis Xavier would be a great name. The Jesuit missionary to the East.
ReplyDeleteI would also hope Tagle makes the coming days working holidays less than a coronation. I hope he chooses and begins to meet immediately with a new Council of Nine to chart the future.
I hope the Cardinals meet in various groups (language, continent) to assist in that process. In other words, renew synodality by using it to organize the Cardinals.
Tagle is charismatic but I hope he makes that subservient to greater synodal processes at all levels including the Cardinals and the Vatican.
Betting on conclave outcomes is a booming biz:
ReplyDelete"Nicholas Baker, a visiting professor at the University of Richmond and a historian of Renaissance Italian history, says that, although we don’t know exactly how long ago the practice started, there’s evidence that it goes back at least to the 14th or 15th century. 'In the 16th century, it became really quite established,' he said."
More about conclave wagering in a more-thoughtful-than-it-sounds story at the Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/of-interest/2025/05/07/betting-next-pope-conclave/
Betting combines one's own preferences for Pope with one's own rational prediction of whom might be Pope and one estimates of other people and their preferences and rationalities. The betting market gives a simple way of combining all that in indicators.
DeleteAnother interesting article in the WaPo about conclaves in the distant past.
Deletehttps://wapo.st/44ugV5Q
The Catholicism subReddit has a humorous thread sparked by a member whose Baptist friend wants to know who he's voting for in the "Pope Election."
ReplyDeletehttps://www.reddit.com/r/Catholicism/comments/1kdeyn9/my_baptist_friend_just_asked_me_who_im_going_to/
OK, I'll stop with the humor. I've prayed each morning for the cardinals not to confuse the good of the Church with their own vain desires. But, then, I pray the same thing for Trump every morning, too ...
Apparently, there’s been white smoke. Third vote seems rather quick. Does that mean one of the frontrunners made it?
ReplyDeleteCommentators seemed to agree Leo will continue on Francis's path, but at a slower pace. I just pray he will be an American on the world stage we don't have to feel ashamed of.
ReplyDeleteI haven’t had time to do much reading but I’m happy that he seems to be a good successor to a Francis who will focus on the gospels.
ReplyDeleteAlthough US-born, he spent a lot of time in South America, even being a bishop in Peru. As Trump declares the rest of the world enemies, this US-born pope rumoured to be a bridge builder may be a bridge himself, with a more universal outlook. He also hasn’t been involved in USCC politics as far as I know. Also, the first Augustinian. So far, so good. I am hopeful.
ReplyDeleteHe is also a naturalized citizen of Peru.
DeleteI wonder if he has dual citizenship status or if he had to renounce his US citizenship. I’m glad he spoke in Spanish. He’s kind of a “reverse” immigrant. We need to reconcile with the countries to our south after bullying them terribly for so long. Not happening now, I guess.
DeleteYes, he has dual citizenship and did not have to renounce his US citizenship. That’s another thing trump wants to do away with - no dual citizenship. We have several very close friends and family with dual citizenship. Our youngest son has passed his French language test for citizenship and then will have to fly to LA at some point for a personal interview at the French Consulate once all the paperwork has been finalized. For example, he has lived in 5 states and 3 countries and they need police reports from all of those jurisdictions. His wife is a French and Polish citizen and is applying for American citizenship. She has lived in 5 countries. She needs lots of police records too. Their three children are citizens of the US, France AND Poland!
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