www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life The Christian East & West The next Pope, best for latin-eastern relations

which cardinal(Pope) would serve the best in bringing about a complete communion of catholic and orthodox churches, without neglecting the other issues the church faces? is Walter Kasper the best choice in that area? or is there a more balenced cardinal for the job? Pope John Paul II built on Vatican II's groundwork immensely with his outreach to the christian east, any thoughts on which cardinal is the best man to further that? again with having the balance and abilities to help other areas of the church today.

In response to the question posed, my suggestion would be the incumbent Cardinal Archbishop of Vienna, who is well familiar with the Christian situations in Eastern Europe and is on friendly terms with many of the Orthodox leaders.

But in more general terms my actual preference remains Cardinal Ratzinger.

Incognitus

Incognitus:

If any of the good Italian Cardinals does not cut it, I agree with your choice: Cardinal Ratzinger as a "transitional" Pope would be great!

The Pope after him could be from the Southern hemisphere, when more than 70% (vs. 60%+ today) of the world's Catholics would be found.

Amado

Continuing the Ost-politik and furthering re-union with the Orthodox is no doubt important, and a high priority to those of us who are part of this forum community.

But, the first duties of the Bishop of Rome, must be the pastoral care of his own diocese, and then the direction of the Roman Curia (is it fair to suggest that it has been out of control lately?).

Would Cardinal Ratzinger be an 'inside' man, likely to leave everyone in place? Or would he be someone who would know them all well enough, to effect and direct change effectively and shrewdly?

I wonder if curia cardinals tend to trust other curia cardinals?

RATZUBGER ??????? HE IS WAY WAY TOO TOO LIBERAL FOR ME!
STEPHANOS I

Cardinal Ratzinger, way too liberal?????????????? This begs the question as to who would be acceptable, perhaps another Cardinal Segura???

Christ is Risen!

If Latin-Eastern relations are important to our eternal salvation and the carrying of Christ�s Word throughout the world, then the best pope for bringing about communion with these Churches will be the one the Holy Spirit blesses at the Conclave.

Deacon El

Patriach Lubomyr? Patriarch Ignace Moussa I?

(Both Cardinals.)

My prayer for the next pope is simple: That God send us a shepherd who loves us.

well i understand and easterner could become Bishop of Rome but..would that make sense, and how would that even work? do they remain eastern rite or become bi-ritual? wouldnt that take away leadership from already an already small eastern catholic community? and finally how would the orthodox hierarchy perceive that?

Originally posted by Mateusz:
"well i understand and easterner could become Bishop of Rome but..would that make sense, and how would that even work? do they remain eastern rite or become bi-ritual? wouldnt that take away leadership from already an already small eastern catholic community? and finally how would the orthodox hierarchy perceive that?"

Methinks that as Bishop of Rome, the pope would use the Roman Rite in Rome.

Pope Pius XI was of the Ambrosian Rite before becoming pope, but used the Roman Rite as Pope.

From my recollection (possibly erroneous) I remember reading that Pope Pius XII celebrated Mass in the Armenian Rite in the Sistine Chapel with the Armenian Patriarch. I also recall reading of popes in past centuries using the Byzantine Rite at Grottoferrata.

I suppose that the Pope could give himself permission to use ant rite. Does anyone out there know something about this?

Photius

Mateusz and Photius,

The Pope would become of the Western Church, as Patriarch of the West, but that would not preclude his celebration of the Liturgy in any Rite. His Holiness John Paul II, of blessed memory, celebrated the Byzantine Divine Liturgy on several occasions.

Personally, I don't think that election of an Eastern hierarch as Pope would serve any valuable purpose or especially serve to effect unity between Catholicism and Orthodoxy - in fact, potentially the opposite. But, then, I'm one who also believes that no Eastern hierarch should be granted the dignity of the cardinalate either.

Many years,

Neil

Ok Neil, I'll take the bait.
Why do you say: "I'm one who also believes that no Eastern hierarch should be granted the dignity of the cardinalate either."?

Pavloosh,

No bait intended. I've said this same thing more than once previously on this and other forums.

In my never truly humble opinion, Patriarchs of the Eastern and Oriental Churches should not be created Cardinals. It is, admittedly, a matter of ongoing dispute and differing opinions among the hierarchy, clergy, and others of our Churches.

Historically, the combined office and honorific status termed "Cardinal" applied to the hierarchs, presbyters, and deacons of the Diocese of Rome who, in concert as the Holy Synod of that place, came together for the purpose of electing the Bishop of Rome, who is ex officio the Pope and Patriarch of the West.

Just as the Holy Synods of the Armenian, Chaldean, Coptic, Maronite, Melkite, and Syriac Churches do not include Latin hierarchs or hierarchs of any of their Sister Churches (and, in fact, are prohibited by Canon Law from doing so) when convening for the purpose of electing a Patriarch to rule their respective Churches, the Patriarchs of the Eastern and Oriental Churches do not have a legitimate role to fulfill in election of the Pope and Bishop of Rome, the Patriarch of the West.

Furthermore, it has been the opinion of several Patriarchs that being conferred the red hat effectively amounts to being honored with a title that is of lesser dignity than the office that they hold. It is the equivalent of conferring the dignity and title of monsignor on a bishop. This is clear from the fact that Canon Law states in Canon 58

Patriarchs of Eastern Churches precede all bishops of any degree everywhere in the world, with due regard for special norms of precedence established by the Roman Pontiff.

The phrase, "all bishops of any degree", is inclusive of the cardinalate, which is itself an office and honorific, not an episcopal order.

Several patriarchs have effectively disputed the idea that they are any less fulfilled in their office or the exercise of their patriarchal authority by being potentially empowered to vote as electors for the Pope, noting that the historical Pentarchy involved no such interaction or involvement on the part of the reigning hierarch of any Patriarchal Church in the electoral matters of its Sister Churches.

His Beatitude Patriarch Maximos IV Hakim, of blessed memory, reportedly accepted the red hat only "under obedience", having refused it on a prior occasion and having sought to refuse it again on the last occasion when it was proffered, a request that was denied.

On the other hand, His Beatitude Gregory Peter XV Cardinal Aghajanian, Catholicos & Patriarch Emeritus of Cilicia of the Armenias, of blessed memory, was named Cardinal after his resignation from the Patriarchate, as was His Beatitude Ignatios Moussa III Cardinal Daoud, Patriarch Emeritus of Antioch & All the East of the Syrians. I have no issue with those individuals being named Cardinal in those circumstances, since each was accepting a Vatican Curial appointment subsequent to their resignation as Patriarch.

My feelings on the appropriateness of non-patriarchal hierarchs of sui iuris Churches (e.g., Major-Archbishops and Metropolitans, as is and has been the case on several occasions) accepting the red hat is, admittedly, a bit ambivalent - something to which I haven't given a lot of thought until recently. I believe, though, that considering it as other than inappropriate would be inconsistent.

Many years,

Neil

Neil,

What do you think about the idea of making all heads (patriarchs, major-archbishops, metropolitans) of sui iuris churches in communion with Rome automatic electors of the Pope along with the Roman Cardinals, because of the Bishop of Rome's Petrine ministry?

Martin