by Anura Guruge
on May 30, 2022
Very strange, even with factoring in Francis’ Trump-like penchant for wanting to cause havoc because it makes HIM look important.
Well, I was, however, right on one count, i.e., that Francis was likely to announce the new cardinals in or around May 28. But, I was expecting a June 28, 2022, consistory.
So let me highlight the MAJOR incongruities in what Francis plans to do & the gullible, mindless media coverage that just panders to this pope WITHOUT paying heed to Church Laws.
>> Announcing a list of new cardinals 3 months ahead of a consistory is EXTREMELY unusual. I am pretty sure it is a FIRST. It was ONLY in the last decade or so that the practice of announcing the list a month ahead came to be. Just hundred years ago (which is but recent history when it comes to the Vatican) we used to have SECRET CONSISTORIES. The names were NOT made public till after the creation process. NO. NO. I am NOT talking about cardinals created In Pectore (close to the heart). I am talking about Secret Consistories — which was the norm. But, to be fair, no big deal. Only slight problem is if any of those named don’t make it to the consistory. They do NOT become cardinals posthumously! You have to be alive in order to be created. So, the 3-months is unusual, but is the least of our problems.
>> The claim that Francis is having this in August in order to bring all the cardinals together IS BOGUS. Total hogwash. The Vatican should be ashamed for propagating this mistruth.
For the last 15 years or so cardinals around the world have congregated in Rome ahead of cardinal-creating consistories. That had become the norm. So, there is NOTHING different or special about the August 2022 gathering.
I read Francis’ Regina Caeli. He did NOT mention that this would be an EXTRAORDINARY consistory. That is KEY. This would ONLY have been special IF it was deemed extraordinary — i.e., mandatory attendance. Instead, it appears to be ORDINARY. Attend IF YOU CAN — but most make a point of attending. So, to try & paint this in a different light is disingenuous. Shame on the Vatican.
>> As you can see from the top 2 images, the Vatican & the media are ACTING as if Francis has overridden Paul VI’s 120-limit for conclaves. I have NOT seen an edict, & as you can see both pieces mention the 120 limit & how it has been exceeded.
This, as I have continually harped on about, is a PROBLEM, both legally & logistically.
Right now 120 is THE LAW. If that is violated, without Francis overriding it, the next election will NOT BE LEGITIMATE.
Plus, there are logistically issues. Accommodating more than 120 electors within the Sistine & the Domus will be a problem! So, don’t act as if this is NOTHING. This is a problem.
>> Francis is really putting the cat among the pigeons as to the next election. The electorate is now extremely splintered. There are too many micro-voting blocs. They will squabble. Asia & Africa now have significant clout. The next election will be a MESS!
That is my first take. Mark what I have to say. My track record when it comes to conclaves is good. SMILE. I do my research & I have done a LOT of research. My facts are unimpeachable. Period.
The Pope of Chaos. That will probably be how Francis is remembered. And since the hallmark of this pontificate has been “muddying the water”, I don’t expect any guidance, let alone Canon Law, will be forthcoming as far as what to do if he’s dead and there are over 120 cardinal electors.
Mark, we are, yet again, in agreement. Thank you. Please share more of your thoughts … especially as to the new cardinals. All the best. Thanks.
From the US perspective the most interesting choice is McElroy, the bishop of San Diego. He is originally from my area (San Francisco) and so I have watched his career from up close.
I guess I should not have been surprised at the appointment since McElroy is pretty aligned with Francis’ approach. From a hierarchy perspective it is another one of the “inversions” that Francis has created since McElroy’s diocese is suffragan to the LA archdiocese, and Francis has denied Archbishop Gomez the red hat [Gomez was appointed by B16 as we all know].
Interesting times…
Richard Truely
Wow, I didn’t think about that: Gomez gets the snub but one of his suffrage bishops get the red hat! I’m sure it’s not unprecedented, but still…
Please, refer to a recent comment by me … on this thread about how the Cardinal will have to be given precedence over his (local) Archbishop.
As for precedence, I am NOT 100% sure, BUT I think it has happened before … alebit in the last 60 years. Wish I had the time to check.
Thanks.
Yes. Very astute remark. Thank you. Will make any diocesan celebrations very interesting & exciting. The cardinal will have to be given precedence! Thank you.
Thank YOU.
I am fully aware that JP II, B16 & Francis exceeded the 120 limit. That is NOT the PROBLEM!
The problem is what will happen if a pope dies & there are more than 120 electors.
YOU tell me?
Yes, a pope is autocratic. All powerful. Understand. But a dead pope has NO SAY!
When the pope is dead who speaks.
Tell me?
You are QUITE knowledgeable. How well do YOU KNOW UDG?
Tell me what happens per UDG & Normas Nonnullas IF we have more than 120 when a conclave starts?
I am dying to know. In the meantime keep on praying that this pope lives to be 120. LoL.
Cheers, Anura
Wow. That is quite the distinction. Never realized that “should not” still gives you leeway to do something. WOW. You Catholics! Reminds me of Bill Clinton and his “depends on what the meaning of the word ‘is’ is”. Thank you.
120. One of the problems with this is that no pope has ever REALLY addressed what happens if the number of currently-eligible cardinals is greater than 120 at the time of the current incumbent’s death/resignation. Paul VI probably never intended a consistory to ever name more than 120. Francis, being the Pope of Chaos, must secretly relish the idea of throwing the whole process into confusion! Perhaps that’s his goal: de-legitimizing the Conclave process in hopes that some future pope (or “synodal process”) will be forced to come up with something new. Muddying the water once again.
Or maybe he’s just lazy.
Either way, though, no one knows: will the Camerlengo (even though this decision is outside his competence) allow ALL the cardinals into the Sistine? Or just the senior-most 120? Or just the 120 he likes/agrees with?
Are we being set up for a Great Western Schism #2?
Buckle up…
Mark,
Not sure Camerlengo could/would stop it. It will, of course, get debated & possibly even voted upon, at a pre-conclave General Congregation.
Yes, definitely a set up for a Schism …
OR … the Papal equivalent of the BIG LIE!
Don’t forget we went through 373 years, without a single exception of the Sixtus V 70 limit. I would actually like to see the 120 limit violated because IT will result in the Vatican equivalent of the Trump’s BIG LIE. The new pope will be considered illegitimate by some — & now they will have some grounds. Francis really could end up having been ‘Peter the Roman’!