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Benedict’s first cardinal appointments
First, the appointments are another signal that Benedict intends to “color within the lines” more than John Paul II. Instead of dispensing from the ceiling of 120 voting age cardinals, Benedict carefully limited himself to 12 selections, the exact number it will require on March 25 to return to 120. It’s another small sign of how conscious he is of himself as the bearer of a tradition, rather than a charismatic leader blazing new trails.
Second, the choice of Bishop Joseph Zen of Hong Kong is confirmation that in making his personnel moves, Benedict will not be swayed by external political considerations. When he had to name his own successor at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, conventional wisdom said that it would be impolitic to name an American. Benedict wanted William Levada, and tapped him anyway. In the case of Zen, conventional diplomatic wisdom said that the Vatican’s strong desire for improved relations with Beijing made his elevation impossible, since the mainland Chinese authorities have been irked by Zen’s strong comments on religious freedom and democracy. Once again, Benedict did it anyway.
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First, the appointments are another signal that Benedict intends to “color within the lines” more than John Paul II. Instead of dispensing from the ceiling of 120 voting age cardinals, Benedict carefully limited himself to 12 selections, the exact number it will require on March 25 to return to 120. It’s another small sign of how conscious he is of himself as the bearer of a tradition, rather than a charismatic leader blazing new trails.
Second, the choice of Bishop Joseph Zen of Hong Kong is confirmation that in making his personnel moves, Benedict will not be swayed by external political considerations. When he had to name his own successor at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, conventional wisdom said that it would be impolitic to name an American. Benedict wanted William Levada, and tapped him anyway. In the case of Zen, conventional diplomatic wisdom said that the Vatican’s strong desire for improved relations with Beijing made his elevation impossible, since the mainland Chinese authorities have been irked by Zen’s strong comments on religious freedom and democracy. Once again, Benedict did it anyway.
more