Fr. John’s February 18, 2012, Consistory Stats and thoughts

Refer to the ‘Consistory‘ TAB right at the top, above the banner ((↑↑)), for all the pertinent ‘consistory’-related links, which include those for the February 18, 2012 cardinal creating consistory.

Fr. John’s other two posts, from today, re. the February 18, 2012 new cardinal announcement: link 1 & link 2.

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The Pope needs a course in demographics!!! He is so Euro-centric and for all his talk about the importance of Latin America, he completely negates their ability to be represented equitably in the College of Cardinals, ergo a papal conclave. Meanwhile, there are numerous countries that are over represented when their Catholic Population is dwindling.

Last night, as I did a final check on the Cardinalabili, I wanted to insure representation by Catholic Population in the College of Cardinal electors. As of this summer, in August and September, the last of Cardinal electors from the Philippines and Columbia respectively will turn 80. Therefore, the 3rd and 7th most Catholic countries by Catholic population will have NO Cardinal Elector in the conclave if a Papal election takes place before another consistory. I think this is a disgrace. Additionally, Catholic countries like Guatemala in Central America and Angola in Africa will also have no representation even though they are in the top 25 of Catholic countries.

This certainly will have an impact on who becomes the next Pope. It diminishes the chances of Latin American and increases the chance of a European, particularly an Italian. Europe is represented over 200% in the electorate while South America is only 40% represented.

A consistory that elevates men from countries with an overabundance of electors or small populations (Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Czech Republic) over those more Catholic countries is a slap in the face to not only the more populous Catholic countries, but also to the men who serve as their bishops.