Electing bishops/popes

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A lot of non-Catholics I come in contact with have issues with how the Church deals with her leadership. Their complaints often lead to similar questions, the main point being, “How do these men get so high up in the Church?”

This question has nothing to do with abuses of any kind, I’m just wondering how to answer this. For example I watched the JPII film with John Voight and it gives you the impression his election was partly due to a desire to have a younger pope who could reach the youth, as well as a political motivation to deal with Communism.

How much does personal/professional experience play into a bishops or Pope’s election? How much is due to personal holiness? Is there a criteria that must be followed, or are these appointments the result of prayer and consideration on the part of superiors or cardinals? Are the social, political and spiritual demands and issues of the times these men are appointed considered?

It’s just not an area of the Church I’m familiar with.
 
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Absolutely. To my uneducated mind, I’d like to believe these guys are in deep prayer and earnest reflection and their choices aren’t necessarily reflective of their personal relationship with Christ or adherence to the Church, but I just don’t know enough about it to comfortably give an answer. I trust the Church implicitly, but I’m obviously a little bias!
 
There seem to be a couple of questions here. On the question of “how do these men get so high up in the Church” the answer is that they move up through the ranks, just like with any other profession. As priests get older and gain experience they take on more important roles such as rector of larger parishes, or more specific administrative duties within the diocese (Vocations Director, etc.), or perhaps they get sent for more education (S.T.L. or similar). Eventually, Bishops die and someone skilled and experienced needs to replace them.

On the second question on how Cardinals elect the pope–I think the answer is that the elector Cardinals utilize both a tremendous amount of personal prayer asking for guidance, as well as consideration for the current “climate” of world affairs. It would be hard to elect a Pope exclusively by their personal holiness, because how would a Cardinal from, say, Poland really know how personally holy a Cardinal from, say, Peru, was? At the end of the day they need to select someone who will help the Church thrive throughout the entire world; not an easy task. It certainly makes for a fascinating process though.
 
I’m sure part of the issue is as an American I’m used to and expect a fairly public and transparent electoral process. It’s participatory by nature. I think too many outside the Church (and I’m sure some within) don’t recognize the immense responsibility these men face or the inherent weight of responsibility.
 
Definitely a tremendous amount of responsibility especially considering they’re electing a Pope with a lifetime appointment! Better get it right.

The comparison with our political system can in my mind be summed up by the fact that most Cardinals do not want to be Pope and only reluctantly accept when chosen, but virtually every senator/congressman wants to be President. A priest does not become a priest to eventually become Bishop/Cardinal/Pope, but the same is not true of politicians. Humility is most definitely not the defining feature of American politics.
 
Yes, exactly, and that’s a point I bring up frequently. I think if people would only briefly examine some these men’s lives, their writings, the endorsements of their peers, they would recognize most of them are spiritually and morally remarkable, even if they disagree with their theology. We know as Catholics that’s got nothing to do with them and everything to do with Christ and grace.
 
Whatever its faults people can come up with, it is an undeniable fact that the Catholic Church is the oldest continuing functioning institution.
 
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Yes. Reminds me of the Belloc quote about the “knavish imbeciloty” and that the Church couldn’t have lasted if it weren’t Divine.
 
It doesn’t much matter when you get down to it.

The manner in which the bishop of Rome is selected has varied over two millennia, although variations on having Cardinals elect him were established fairly early on.

Once he is installed, he is Peter’s successor.

The Holy Spirit guides the Cardinals, but they may or may not listen. We still get a Bishop of Rome, who is Pope.

hawk
 
I’m interested in those details, or at least the history of their development. Curiosity is my gift and curse.
 
RKS89 said:
I’m interested in those details, or at least the history of their development. Curiosity is my gift and curse.
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Google and a free couple of days are your friends here–but pay attention to who the sources are before reading!

🙂

hawk
 
Yes, I’ll spend some quality time with the CCC and some other resources this weekend for sure. Part of my problem is I have a big project I’m working on and I’m focusing on certain aspects of Church teaching, doctrine and history. But my brain is always asking questions when I come away from conversations with friends and family who in turn ask me about the Faith. So my research plate is full as is, but then I get side-queries I want to dig into as well.
 
Bishops are appointed by the Pope.
The Pope is elected by the college of cardinals upon the death or resignation of the Pope. The cardinals are appointed to that position by the Pope.
 
I knew the cardinals were elected by the Pope, but I did not know (although it makes sense if you think about it) he also elects all bishops. Thanks!
 
Read the tweaks made to the papal conclaves made on modern times by Blessed Paul VI, St. John Paul II, and Pope Benedict.
 
A lot of non-Catholics I come in contact with have issues with how the Church deals with her leadership.
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Why would non-Catholics care? Do their churches even have bishops?
How much does personal/professional experience play into a bishops or Pope’s election? How much is due to personal holiness? Is there a criteria that must be followed, or are these appointments the result of prayer and consideration on the part of superiors or cardinals? Are the social, political and spiritual demands and issues of the times these men are appointed considered?
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The Cardinals who elect the pope will generally not say why they voted for him. We hope and assume that they pray for guidance and consider the qualifications of those whom they vote for. The Pope appoints Latin rite bishops. Eastern Catholic bishops are usually elected by their peers.
 
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