A little about some of the candidates...
Angelo Scola (Italy) Born 7 th November (Age: 63)
Scola was considered an outsider to take over from John Paul II, but it’s now interesting to see that he is firm favourite to take over from Pope Benedict XVI – Joseph Ratzinger. Let’s look at the reasons why – Scola is the Patriarch of Venice and studied theology at the prestigious University of Fribourg in Switzerland. Scola was a consultor for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and so it is expected Ratzinger will have much respect for him. He was appointed to the faculty at the John Paul II Institute for marriage and family, which was created to defend John Paul II hard line views on issues such as divorce, homosexuality & abortion. Theologians in Rome found him flexible and open. Scola is gracious and warm and with his background in Theology and the fact three great 20 th century Popes came from Venice – Pius X, John XXIII and John Paul I, it’s easy to see why he is favourite to take the reigns from Ratzinger.
What will go in his favour?
His conservative views
Fluent in several languages
His age
The fact he is Patriarch of Venice
Theology background
Not in his favour
Cardinals might not want to see the Papacy return to Italy especially after a Polish and a German Papacy.
He has stiff competition from many who are considered to be close to Ratzinger.
Count Christoph Von Schoenborn (Austria) Born 22 nd Jan 1945 (Age 60)
Archbishop of Vienna and a Dominican, Von Schoenborn studied theology under Joseph Ratzinger in Regensburg, Germany, and could be considered one of his protégés. He also taught at the prestigious Swiss University Friborg. At 60 he may be a popular choice to succeed Benedict XVII.
What will go in his favour?
Theology background
Young – Would be perfect age to succeed in a few years
He is a popular cardinal
Could the Papacy go to an Austrian Pope after a Polish & German?
Not in his favour
Faces competition from a lot of cardinals
He is rigid in his theological views.
Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga (Honduras) – Born 29 th Dec’ 1942 (Age: 62)
Maradiaga was considered one of the favourites to succeed John Paul II but one factor going against him was his age – many considered him too young at 62. However Maradiaga will remain one of the favourites to become Head of the highest office in the Catholic Church for numerous reasons. Maradiaga is charismatic and studied Theology at the Alfonsian Academy in Rome. There is no doubt that he would appeal to many different countries/cultures. He can speak over eight different languages and can even fly a plane. He also shares Ratzingers passion for tinkling the Ivories.
What will go in his favour?
He speaks over eight different languages
He is active and willing to get involved with worldly issues
Latin American – The next Papacy could see a Latin American made Pope as Catholicism grows in this region.
He will be the perfect age when the time comes to consider him again.
Not in his favour
He compared the media to Hitler in the past and may not be considered conservative enough to succeed Pope Benedict XVI.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio (Argentina) : Born Dec 17th 1936 (Age: 68)
Bergoglio from Buenos Aires if made Pope would be the first member of the Jesuit order to reach the highest seat in the Roman Catholic Church.
Unusually, Bergoglio first studied chemistry before deciding to enter the priesthood. If elected, Pope Bergoglio would shy away from the attention that John Paul so frequently received and would opt instead for a simple, quiet life. He speaks Spanish, Italian and German and it is said he is close to Communion & Liberation, one of the conservative movements that John Paul supported with the intention of changing peoples views of the Church in the face of growing secularisation in developed countries.
What goes in his favour?
He holds conservative views just like John Paul II & Benedict XVI
He would be an i deal age in a few years.
Fellow cardinals respect him
He speaks three languages
Cardinals might opt for a quieter Pope to take over from the humble and much respected Ratzinger.
Not In his favour
The fact that Bergoglio is a Jesuit could go against him. The influential order was founded in the 16 th century to serve the popes and some Jesuits oppose the idea of one of their own actually becoming a pope.
If the cardinals opt for an energetic, charismatic cardinal to succeed Pope Benedict XVI, Bergoglio wouldn’t quite fit the bill.
|
|
