Bishop's comment on possible new Pope

[debi]

If people leave the Church because of a leader’s nationality or color - as has been said before they weren’t really about being Catholic or universal at all. Belleville,IL’s Bishop Gregory is black and has certinally led the US Bishops through much scandal and controversy in a most sterling way - hats off to him and all bishops and cardinals who are great leaders of the faith.

 

[Deacon_Dan]

Cardinal Arinze would not be the first African Pope. In fact he would be at least the fourth African Pope. We know of 3 who are:

Pope Saint Victor 1
Pope Saint Gelasius 1
Pope Saint Miliades 1
All three of these pope’s are from Africa

You can read more of about these African popes by going to the National Black Catholic Conference webiste at:
nbccongress.org/black-catholics/african-popes.asp

I would think it would be sad that one would leave the church because of one’s skin color, but in the world we live in today, people will move and change to suit their needs. This is not the message of the Gospel. It just shows how busy the enemy is. WE must pray for the church and and it’s leaders and people for unity on all issues not just this one to possibly come.

 

[mark_a]

I also saw a show on PBS about possibilities for the next Pope. One of the top contenders I think, was a Black Brazillian whose parents (maybe grandparents) were slaves. Does anyone know of him?

I seem to recall that 80% of the worlds Catholics are not white, is this correct?

Does anyone know who the Bishop is from my origional question?

 

[Jennifer123]

mark a:

I
I seem to recall that 80% of the worlds Catholics are not white, is this correct?

I wouldn’t be surprised if it is true - I think Catholicism is the largest religious denomination in the world and it is growing every day, esp. in Asia and Africa, thanks be to God!!!

BTW - I think we can almost be sure the next pope will reflect this, the Asia and Africa bishops usually are closely aligned with the current pope’s theology.

 

[Edwin1961]

gomer tree:

My vote is for whomever the Holy Spirit guides the conclave of Cardinals to select.

BINGO!
Have we forgotten that it’s the Holy Spirit that guides the Church. The influence and guidance of the Holy Spirit is out of our hands when that times comes. Our Lord God already knows who the next Pope will be and fhe reasons why. If His (Christ’s) Church needs some pruning, it will be done! The His Church needs growth and to bring more hearts and souls to Him, It will be done, regardless who the next Pope will be.
I just don’t like the politics that goes on in the Vatican, but these are the times we live in…besides are we arm chair quartebacks?

Go with God!
Edwin

 

[tmgiebel]

Brothers and Sisters,

Please have patience and wait for John Paul II to die before speculating on his successor. Don’t you think it in bad taste to ruminate this matter while he lives. Death will come soon enough. Then, there will be rejoicing for those who hate his ecumenism and crying for those who think him a living saint.

As for he who will follow in JPII’s footsteps, there is neither Greek nor Jew, for all are one in Jesus Christ.

I invite you all to read Galatians 3 at:

biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?passage=GAL+3&language=english&version=NIV&showfn=on&showxref=on

KK is right to question the mental condition of the question asker. Edwin1961 and Gomer are correct in that the Holy Spirit will guide the process, and on this we may rely.

 

[PilgrimJWT]

Great comment, Karl. That put the onus where it belonged!

Let us not worry our heads about it. The Holy Spirit (acting through the occasionally murky? College of Cardinals) will take care of that matter when it comes up. Only thing I know for sure is that I don’t have a vote in the next Papal election.

 

[MrS]

The next Pope can be Blue for all we care. We just wish for him to be faithfull too the Church and God’s will. It would be cool if the next Pope was also not from Italy. Peerhaps Irish?! :bounce:

Hey…you disin’ the Italians???http://forums.catholic-questions.org/images/icons/icon6.gif

Anyway, all Popes come from the Holy Spirithttp://forums.catholic-questions.org/images/icons/icon7.gif

MrS

Vinnie and Bubba say hi

 

[hermit]

mark a:

I heard or read that when a certain Bishop was told by a reporter: “many Catholics will leave the Church if the next Pope is Black”, that the Bishop responded: “if that’s what they’re waiting for, they can go ahead and leave now!”

Brilliant!!

Who is this Bishop?

I predicted on Beliefnet three years ago that the next pope will be an African. Most replies said I was nuts. We’ll see.