Heir Not-so Apparent - Who will be the next pope?

English 306

Assignment: Press Release

Today, March 5th, 2013, after the recent retirement of Pope Benedict XVI, the process of the papal conclave has begun. Nearly all the cardinals who will vote for the next pope have gathered in Rome to be locked in the Sistine Chapel for this election. With the Holy Days fast approaching, the Church both breathes a sigh of relief and kneels in prayer as the search for their next leader begins.

What is the papal conclave? It is the gathering of the College of Cardinals, a select number of prominent Catholic leaders who are chosen to choose the Church's next pontiff. What makes this gathering unusual is the nature of the call. Pope Benedict XVI has chosen to retire instead of doing what popes usually do at the end of their reign as church sovereign - they usually die before the next pope is chosen. None in six hundred years had chosen to step down from the role while alive.

In his official statement, the pontiff cited the reasoning behind his retirement:

I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering. However, in today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognise my incapacity to adequately fulfil the ministry entrusted to me.

Mental and physical health, a none too scandalous reason for retirement, however, it stirs the memory of watching the health of Pope John Paul VI deteriorate during the last several years of his papacy. It seems that his holiness seeks to ensure the strength of the church as his own strength fails.

The question remains: who is the one suited to face the rapid changes and questions of faith that shake the church? Forty countries from around the world are represented in the 2013 conclave, each carrying the burden of their flock. In the wake of revelations of abuse and scandal the additional problems of poverty, of ethics and morality, of doctrine and theology will need to be addressed by the new Vicar of Christ.

The sole candidate from Ghana, Cardinal Peter Turkson, is the top prospect to fit the billing. While a proponent of traditional Catholic views on sex and marriage, clergy in his diocese have been known to hand out condoms (a forbidden birth control by the church) to quell the spread of AIDS. Sources confirm the cardinal's opinion that abstinence until marriage is the true end to the virus, but his realistic practicality is refreshing.

Another favorite from the Philippines, Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle, represents a huge population of the Catholic faith, with more than 70% of the entire country to be part of the church. In the Philippines and other parts of the world, the Church competes against other faiths for parishioners . In Africa and South East Asia, Islam gathers hundreds and thousands to the faith. In South America, Pentecostal churches are spreading with popularity.


Sources:

http://pope-election-2013.com/start-of-conclave-decision-expected-on-wednesday/#more-521

http://pope-election-2013.com/bookmakers-odds-on-the-new-pope/#more-481

http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2013/02/27/ghanas-cardinal-peter-turkson-is-irish-bookmakers-favorite-for-new-pope/

http://www.voanews.com/content/ghanaian-cardinal-seen-as-humble-candidate-for-pope/1603513.html

http://www.wjla.com/articles/2013/03/conclave-2013-vatican-waiting-for-cardinals--85917.html

http://www.nation.co.ke/News/africa/Let-Gods-will-be-done-says-Pope-candidate/-/1066/1693562/-/w2naly/-/index.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/11/pope-resigns-live-reaction