The Vatican Bios For The New Cardinal Designates

 Posted by at 6:32 pm
Jan 312012
 

I saw this today in the January 23, 2012 issue of Time.

Since Wikipedia is invariably my first, but rarely only, port of call for most of my ‘recent’ research I don’t have a problem with this.

So I am posting it, in situ, sans any comments.

A quick Google of ‘new cardinal bios from Wikipedia‘ came up with pages upon pages of results.

I am kind of disappointed that none of my supposedly diligent Vatican watchers, with Fr. John in the fore, didn’t bring this to my attention. Hhmmm. I guess they werre worried that I would parody it  without realizing my respect for Wikipedia (which some of them should have known) — given that with my penchant for honesty I list Wikipedia as my first online reference source in all three of my papal books, not worried at all what the supposed ‘scholars’ may think of that.

Well some of the posts are not complimentary and that is too bad.

It is humbling to see that PC Magazine did a post on it — and it is information packed. So, you should definitely read that — and it has a great picture of a cardinal in deep contemplation.

 

Fr. John Ponders The Appointment Of Bishop Francesco Moraglia As Patriach of Venice

 Posted by at 1:12 pm
Jan 312012
 

Refer to the ‘Consistory‘ TAB right at the top, above the banner ((↑↑)), for all the requisite links, including those for the February 18, 2012 consistory.

I got the e-mail below (↓) from the ever vigilant Fr. John at 10:32 pm Eastern last night. I, alas, was busy messing around with eBook formats and didn’t get a chance to post.

Today, the announcement was confirmed by the Vatican. The trusty Darien Clark and Andrew O. e-mailed the news to me this morning. Thank you BOTH.

With the announcement a matter of time, that Bishop Francesco Moraglia will be named Patriach of Venice, do you think it is possible that he will also be added to the list of Cardinals in waiting?

He is a disciple of Bertone, who is starting to get some egg on his face and negative press from the Vigano tapes, which, as I think we had already mentioned months ago, where leaked from the office of the Secretariat of State!!

Interesting quote in New York Time’s article: “Marco Politi, a Vatican correspondent for the newspaper Il Fatto Quotidiano and the author of a book about the pope, said in an interview that there were signs that “discontent is growing” with Cardinal Bertone’s administration.”

Things should get interesting at Headquarters!!

Peace!

From the Italian 'La Nazione'. Click image to read the article.

Andrew O. also included an interesting link. That article calls him a ‘… disciple of Cardinal Siri. He is a committed Ratzingerian, in both theology and liturgy.‘ Andrew also believes that other than me, with my conviction that the next pope will be old, will consider him papabile as soon as he gets his red hat.

As for Fr. John’s speculation, it is POSSIBLE that as with the February 21, 2001 consistory there could be a SECOND BATCH of names announced — soon. Possible. But, that would put the electors at 126 or more. Yes, that is still way less than the 135 that John Paul II (#265) played with. Yes, possible. But, if we go to 126 we will have to wait till August 10 to see the number drop to 120. That is fine by me, because there will be NO conclave this year. Mark my word.

Darien added this, via e-mail, on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 afternoon, at 1:01 pm Eastern:
Just saw your post. Here’s my thoughts:
Moraglia was ordained a Priest by Cardinal Siri, at the very least there is that link between them. As to whether he will be a Papabili, it’s certainly possible down the road. He is likely to get his Red Hat in the not too distant future and have around 20 years as a Cardinal to be a potential Pope. Even if he gets his hat from Benedict and is at the next Conclave, there are too many Italians in front of him who make more sense at this time: Scola, Ravasi and Antonelli in my estimation. Even Bertone (who’s Papabili status drops with every news report out of Rome these days) makes more sense in the 2-3 year window. If elected in the near future Moraglia’s reign could be as long or longer than JPII. Give him 5-10 years and he very well could be the #1 Italian, but right now he’s too young and there’s too many other Italians in the mix.

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Soon To Be Cardinal Dolan and The Bl. John Paul II (#265) Riposte

 Posted by at 1:05 pm
Jan 292012
 

Cardinal-to-be Timothy Michael Dolan’s penchant for Miller Beer has even been chronicled in The New York Time (here and here) — and it is said that he always wears a Miller T-shirt underneath his vestments.

I heard this story this morning on CNN. On weekends, given there is no germane market news I don’t, as I do on weekends, wake up to CNBC on the TV. Instead, it is CNN — and post 8:30. This morning around 8:39 I heard this, just as I was waking up. Not sure who was talking. I think it was the ususal Sunday morning ‘Faith’ segment. This is said to be a story as told by Dolan, when he was Archbishop of Milwaukee — a community that was noted for being weight-challenged. Read this — from 2007.

The rotund, Friar Tuck emulating,  Archbishop was visiting the Pope, John Paul II (#265), at the Vatican.

Archbishop Dolan: ‘Holy Father, I have great news. The Archdiocese of Milwaukee is growing.’

Pope John Paul II: ‘So is the Archbishop.’

Thank YOU, pope. Pity that the Archbishop thought of it just as a joke. What a GREAT example he is to our weight challenged kids.

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Papabili Among The New February 18, 2012 Consistory Cardinals?

 Posted by at 6:49 pm
Jan 282012
 

Anura Guruge, laughing, picture November 16, 2011.

  by Anura Guruge

Fr. John, very anxious not to miss the boat, already had an initial crack at this on January 8, 2012 (just two days after the publication of the list) — and I added some in-line comments, though I hadn’t had a chance to really ponder on the possibilities.

Spanish Santos Abril y Castelló, 76, a possible papabile by Anura Guruge

Santos Abril y Castelló

I have now had a chance to better  mull over this matter and make some prognostications. I am not sure whether there is anybody in this crop of 22 that really that really stands out and screams ‘papabile‘ — in contrast to the last consistory when Angelo Amato and Gianfranco Ravasi definitely begged serious consideration. [October 24, 2010 post.] Ravasi went onto be #8 in my 2011 list — as it appeared in ‘The Next Pope 2011‘.

My first step, as ever, was to use my ‘conviction filters’ to eliminate those that in my considered opinion have no chance — my convictions being that the next pope will be certainly be white; will not be from the U.S.A. and is likely to be closer to 75 than to 70. I have justified this convictions many times here and continue to stand by them. You don’t have to agree with them, but, in case it slips your mind, this is my take on the papabili and I always stay true to MY convictions.

February 18, 2012 consistory cardinals not considered papabile by Anura Guruge

February 18, 2012 consistory cardinals sorted for papabie potential. Click to ENLARGE.

So I am left with just Manuel Monteiro de Castro, Santos Abril y Castelló, Antonio Maria Vegliò and Francesco Coccopalmerio.

I think it is safe to rule out Vegliò (despite his diplomatic credentials from he ‘Orient’) and Coccopalmerio. They have both had low profiles and there are more vibrant, higher profile Italians already at bat including Ravasi, Scola and Antonelli. If there was to be a conclave in the next 15 months, which I doubt very much, then the top pick will be the incomparable Lord Bertone, my #2 pick in the book. So that only leaves me with two Hispanics. As I have said before an Hispanic or Marc Ouellet (barring his age) could be a surrogate Latin American pope. So both of these deserve a looking. Major Penitentiaries haven’t had much luck becoming popes. But, Monteiro de Castro does have an impressive resume and is likely to be known to quite a few of the electors from his days as a nuncio and his stint in the always center stage Congregation for Bishops. The same applies to Abril y Castelló. I will not put either, right this minute, into my top #10 list, but both these names can be considered worthy 2nd-tier candidates.

Refer to the ‘Consistory‘ TAB right at the top, above the banner ((↑↑)), for all the requisite links, including those for the February 18, 2012 consistory.

St. Patrick’s Day, New York City, in 1967 — The Prelates

 Posted by at 3:01 pm
Jan 262012
 

Paul G., from Pennsylvania, sent this e-mail in reference to the January 24, 2012 post, ‘Who are these cardinals?’.

Like me he seems to think that the prelates are seated in front of St. St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City.

Paul G.’s e-mail:

I did some research into the photo of the four prelates.

My best guess is St. Patrick’s Day in 1967. The prelates are seated in front of St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Cardinal Francis Joseph Spellman, 1889 to 1967

That is Cardinal Francis Spellman at right (another bishop’s cloak can be seen to Spellman’s left). Spellman looks old and ill. He died in December, 1967.

To Spellman’s right is Archbishop Patrick A. O’Boyle of Washington DC. O’Boyle was installed as a cardinal in June, 1967 and he died in 1973. O’Boyle was a native of Scranton PA, which is 20 miles north of where I live.

I believe the prelate to O’Boyle’s right is Archbishop John F. Dearden of Detroit. He became a cardinal in 1969 and died in 1980. This is NOT bishop Sheen..

I cannot identify the man to Dearden’s right but I believe he is a bishop or archbishop from the eastern US.

Spellman’s physical appearance is the best clue as to dating the photo.

I have attached my file on cardinals of the US by cities or curia positions. It is updated as of Feb. 18 to reflect the appointments of cardinals-designate Dolan and O’Brien. [Click here to view the file as a small Adobe Acrobat PDF.]

Best wishes. Your web site is absolutely wonderful…I did my papal and cardinal research for years before discovering your great site. You and the contributors to the site make it a joy to follow developments in the highest echelon of the Catholic Church.

Incidentally, I think there is a possibility that Pope Benedict may retire as early as this year. It’s a hunch based on reasonable assumptions. Would you like an item on that topic?

Paul G.

Click image to access YouTube video of 1967 NYC St. Patrick's Day Parade

Fr. John: ‘Vatican Official Warns Pope Of Corruption’

 Posted by at 1:54 pm
Jan 262012
 

Following a quick trip to Florida, Fr. John, thank God, is back on-line.

I had this ‘frantic’ e-mail from him early this morning:

Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, 70, the victimized Vatican whistle blower, from www.patheo.com

“Saw this item and didn’t even check your site yet, which you probably have it posted already!!

INTERESTING!!!

He’ll never get a Red Hat!!!!!”

Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò bio from Wikipedia.

I saw the story around 12:15 am this morning. Since I had just posted the ‘Golden Rose and Fidel’ story I was not in the mood to do another post. Plus, given I have to get up, for 19 minutes, at 6:30 am to see the kids off on their 6:47 am bus, it was getting close to my bed time. But, I did intend to post a link to the story today. Fr. John beat me to it, and I am glad he did.

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Benedict XVI (#266) In Cuba — Golden Rose And Fidel

 Posted by at 12:48 am
Jan 262012
 

Anura Guruge, laughing, picture November 16, 2011.

   by Anura Guruge

Detailed Itinerary Of Benedict XVI’s March 23 to 28, 2012
Trip To Mexico & Cuba — January 7, 2012.

A Golden Rose (Rose d’Or), an intricate, artisan gold ornament, made from at least two ounces of gold (but often more, and thus now costing well in excess of US $4,000), depicting as of the 15th century a branch with multiple roses, is one of the oldest (from at least c. 1050) and important favors that can be bestowed by a pope.

Since the time of Leo IX (#153), [1049 - 1054] a Golden Rose is blessed each year by the pope on the fourth Sunday of Lent, Lætare Sunday (Rose Sunday/Mothering Sunday). [This year, Lætare Sunday will be on March 18 -- 5 days prior to the pope's departure to Mexico and Cuba.] Originally the blessing would take place in Rome’s Basilica di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme (Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem). In the early days the Golden Rose could also get presented to a worthy prince in the papal court straight after the ceremony. But in time this shifted to the Golden Rose being reserved to be sent to nobility, typically kings and queens (in time the fairer sex usually getting preference). It is not clear where the blessing takes place these days. It is in the Vatican, and the indications are that it happens in the Apostolic Palace as opposed to St. Peter’s.

Leo IX ordered a large monastery for nuns to be constructed in Bamberg, in the German province of Franconia. The claim is that the nuns were required to provide the pope, hence after, a Golden Rose, annually, on Lætare Sunday. If they could not meet this obligation they had to provide at least two ounces of gold as compensation. Another version of the story has it that the pope inherited this monastery (or similar) but opted to give it back to the nuns who established the tradition of paying homage to the pope for his kindness with this annual Rose.

These days the creation of the Golden Rose or Roses, usually by a famed artist, is funded and managed by the Vatican. c. 1950 the Golden Rose was not routinely awarded each year. So a new one was not produced on a yearly basis — the pope blessing the last one still at the Vatican. There were only five awarded during Paul VI’s (#263) 15 year pontificate. It appears that John Paul II (#265) made even fewer awards! Benedict XVI (#266), who appears to have a weakness for all things gold, has so far awarded 12 Golden Roses — the one he is taking to Cuba thus being his 12th (and he has yet to be pope for 7 years).

Henry VIII [1491-1547], of the six wives, the King of England & Ireland, the founder of the Church of England received not one but three (3) Golden Roses, one each from Julius II (#217), Leo X (#218) and Clement VII (#220) — which must have come in handy as nice presents for the then wife. Charles IX, King of France, was given one to celebrate the St. Bartholomew’s Day massacre. So if the pope gives a Golden Rose to Fidel it would not be that incongruous. But, to be fair to the pope, the Golden Rose he is taking to Cuba is not for Fidel.

Actually, since 1956 the Vatican has not presented a Golden Rose to a person (though there is nothing that says that a pope can’t renew that tradition). Instead the Golden Rose now gets awarded to shrines. Thus, the Golden Rose being taken to Cuba will be given to the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity, the patron of Cuba, when the pope visits the shrine on Tuesday, March 27, 2012.

Yes, there is chatter that the pope will indeed meet with Fidel — albeit not at the Shrine. Fidel, as shown here, dressed in a snazzy black suit, did meet with John Paul II when he visited Cuba. The meeting will most likely take place in Havana, later on in the day on March 27, the pope is scheduled to meet with Fidel’s brother, the now President of Cuba.

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