The Conclave (Page 4)

Because the last time they elected a young guy he stuck around forEVER!!!! :D  Everyone loved him, but he was Pope for a REALLY long time!

Before trying another parish try another time.  If you go to anything before 10:30 at our parish it is oldies.  10:30 Mass is much younger.  Go Sunday evening and the place is PACKED with teenagers.  Most churches now have LifeTeen, find out when that is and go to the Mass before it starts.  The music is WAY better and it is great to see all the young faces! 

I'm with you on the Apostles Creed, bummed me out.

My comment was about another religion, but I don't want to become the next Sulamin Rushdi.

I've read now that as a chemistry teacher at a Jesuit school, the Jesuit superiors forced him out because Francis was too orthodox.

The Jesuits lost their way a while ago on a number of theological issues. John Paul II began to bring them back. JPII was apparently a mentor to Francis.  The remaining heterodox Jesuits will now answer to Francis.

From all accounts he seems to have remained orthodox regarding sexual morality, even taking on the president of Argentina on the issue of adoption by same sex couples, calling it discrimination against the child.

At the same time, reports are that he is genuinely pastorally sensitive to those living in irregular circumstances.  

He seems to be a champion of the poor, living a simple life himself. I imagine that he will challenge capitalist power structures that morally they must ultimately be at the service of human need. Call it economic justice if you want, although I think that phrase is a loaded one. At the same time he has forcefully opposed liberation theology in Latin America, a movement rooted in marxist thought and a favorite of left leaning Jesuits. 

In other words, Francis seems to be authentically Catholic. 

Clempson - 2013-03-13 11:59 PM

We don't know what the vote actually was, but regardless the Cardinals spoke with one voice.  The same as the Magisterium did in the 4th century when the Church gave the world the Bible.  Then as well, not every individual may have agreed, but as a body came to consensus.

There is a range of theories as to whether the Holy Spirit picks the pope, or whether he informs the conscience of the Cardinals who may then ignore it.  Certainly, in the last two hundred years or so we have had good and sometimes holy popes.  

As to God telling the cardinals who to choose, he probably does but I doubt the cardinals are much better at listening to God than any of the rest of us - sigh.

The Cistercians (Trappist Monks) elect their Abbots and they have a saying that a monastery may not get the Abbot they want but instead the Abbot they deserve.

Note to Don Tracey:  A few weeks ago you pointed out that I was pretty dingdangdarn blessed (I'm paraphrasing here) to have a Sunni Muslim man making sure I knew where the Catholic Church was located in Bahrain.  Because of this, I have gotten my butt to Mass for the last couple weeks.

That's joyful news!  I trust your heart went along as well.

How do you mean?

Just from listening to and reading commentators that I trust who have good insight into the inner workings of the College of Cardinals, no one had Bergoglio high on the list due to his age.  With the selection coming so quickly, I though for sure it would be Scola.

Instead of taking his personal car, Pope Francis rode the bus back to the conclave quarters along with the cardinals.

Reminds me of that Joan Osbourne song.

What if God was one of us
Just a slob like one of us
Just a stranger on the bus
Trying to make his way home

(Francis on a Bus.jpg)

I haven't seen a picture of him in awhile, but isn't that Cardinal Dolan in the back of the bus doing what he does best........laughing and enjoying life.

ohhhhhh, I thought  you were commenting on his choice of name.

Yeah, you're probably right.  I grew up with a couple of his cousins and have spent a bit of time around him a few years ago when he was charged with investigating some of the abuse charges in the church.....great guy....but I guess, as you say, the Cardinal in the picture is a bit old to be him.

Oh, I thought this was a picture of Pope Left Brain.

Standing Cardinal - "I always sit in that seat"

Pope Left Brain - "Not today!"

Only if he tried to sit next to me on an empty bus.....then, yeah, find another seat, Cardinal.

Thank you Don, Chris and Keri on your comments and suggestions.

@Dontracy - Yes that in my Springer, Reagan. I don't think you could have chosen a better breed. I absolutely love my dog and he is a wonderful family companion, great with my kids, loves people, always eager to please, and a very smart bird hunter. You'll have a great addition to the family come Easter.