Pope announces names of new Cardinals

[Joe_5859]

If anyone has been dissed, it has been the South Americans, Africans and Asians who for centuries have enjoyed FAR fewer cardinals per layman than Europe and North America.

As the first pope from South America EVER, perhaps Francis is simply reorganizing the number of cardinals to do a better job of being a catholic church. There are a FIXED number of voting age cardinals allowed. You can’t have more in one place without having less in others.

Right.

The appointment of cardinals is the prerogative of the Pope. We can often speak in generalities about things that are likely or appointments that tend to happen as a matter of custom. But at the end of the day, the Pope will do what the Pope will do. And since no one is owed a red hat, complaining about being “dissed” seems rather pointless.

As others have said, customarily, the Pope will not elevate a bishop to the rank of cardinal while their living predecessor is still under the age of 80 (which would give the appearance of one diocese having two votes in a potential conclave). But even this is not some iron clad rule. Benedict appointed Dolan as a cardinal a couple months before Egan’s 80th birthday. JP II regularly went above the 120 limit on voting age cardinals with his consistories. Popes can do that sort of thing.

 

[ProVobis]

Right.

The appointment of cardinals is the prerogative of the Pope. We can often speak in generalities about things that are likely or appointments that tend to happen as a matter of custom. But at the end of the day, the Pope will do what the Pope will do. And since no one is owed a red hat, complaining about being “dissed” seems rather pointless.

As others have said, customarily, the Pope will not elevate a bishop to the rank of cardinal while their living predecessor is still under the age of 80 (which would give the appearance of one diocese having two votes in a potential conclave). But even this is not some iron clad rule. Benedict appointed Dolan as a cardinal a couple months before Egan’s 80th birthday. JP II regularly went above the 120 limit on voting age cardinals with his consistories. Popes can do that sort of thing.

It appears so. Popes can change the entire voting process to extend it to all bishops and the public if they wish, making the Cardinal appointments honorary only.

 

[sttcatherinefan]

I think that there are a few things going on here. First, it wouldn’t shock me if Philly is no longer an automatic “red hat” see and that that gets sacrificed like Detroit and Baltimore have to allocate a “red hat” elsewhere in the U.S. or around the world. Second, I think that Pope Francis sees “red hat” bishops, not necessarily “red hat” dioceses. He apparently appreciates bishops who have been presidents of bishops’ conferences or have extensive experience in the bishops’ conferences because he was the head of the Argentine bishops’ conference and heavily involved with CELAM. He also appreciates bishops who have had to deal with tough pastoral challenges. One of the Italian Cardinals’ dioceses includes Lampedusa and Pope Francis appreciates how he has dealt with the refugee crisis (as well as the Mafia), the Mexican Cardinal has had to deal with gang and drug violence, and the Myanmar Cardinal is known as a peacemaker and an advocate for religious freedom and minority rights.

 

[Sy_Noe]

Right.

The appointment of cardinals is the prerogative of the Pope. We can often speak in generalities about things that are likely or appointments that tend to happen as a matter of custom. But at the end of the day, the Pope will do what the Pope will do. And since no one is owed a red hat, complaining about being “dissed” seems rather pointless.

As others have said, customarily, the Pope will not elevate a bishop to the rank of cardinal while their living predecessor is still under the age of 80 (which would give the appearance of one diocese having two votes in a potential conclave). But even this is not some iron clad rule. Benedict appointed Dolan as a cardinal a couple months before Egan’s 80th birthday. JP II regularly went above the 120 limit on voting age cardinals with his consistories. Popes can do that sort of thing.

So in other words when their predecessors turn 80, Chaput & Gomez are not automatic appointments to the College of Cardinals anyway? And it’s entirely up to the Holy Father if he wants them as Cardinals?

 

[PTL]

That’s why we must pray “thy kingdom come, thy will be done”, many times God’s will is Not done.

 

[Joe_5859]

So in other words when their predecessors turn 80, Chaput & Gomez are not automatic appointments to the College of Cardinals anyway? And it’s entirely up to the Holy Father if he wants them as Cardinals?

Right. No one is guaranteed a spot in the College of Cardinals. If you go by past practice, it is highly likely that Gomez and Chaput would be appointed cardinals once Mahoney and Rigali turn 80. But when Pope Francis is choosing cardinals from dioceses (and even countries) that have never had cardinals before, I wouldn’t presume that past practice is the best indication of what will come in the future.

 

[Yeoman]

The new appointments mean that a majority of Cardinals who can vote for Papal succession are now non Europeans.

That’s the real story here.

And, with all the talk about whether the Pope is conservative or not, what the real story here is that the future of the Church has been taken out of the hands of that region of the globe that has seen declining Church attendance and which in recent years has reacted with propositions to become more liberal, while in the region of the world where the Church is growing (and where I dare say culture remains vibrant), the Church has remained conservative.

 

[Godric2]

I think the appointments are encouraging, and sensitive to the changing situation in the church.

Blessing homes 20 + C + M + B + 15

 

[ProVobis]

The new appointments mean that a majority of Cardinals who can vote for Papal succession are now non Europeans.

That’s the real story here.

And, with all the talk about whether the Pope is conservative or not, what the real story here is that the future of the Church has been taken out of the hands of that region of the globe that has seen declining Church attendance and which in recent years has reacted with propositions to become more liberal, while in the region of the world where the Church is growing (and where I dare say culture remains vibrant), the Church has remained conservative.

Good point. I believe one of the reasons a Polish Pope was selected was because of the heavy Catholic devotion in Poland among other things.

Of course, what’s happened in Poland since is another story.

 

[phil19034]

Hm, interesting.

No Forte and no Cupich. Also no Gomez and no Chaput.

All three American archbishops are from Archdiocese with retired archbishops who are Cardinals under 80.

Tradition (lower case t) is that no diocese has two Cardinals under the age of 80. The only exception could have been Chaput since Cardinal Rigali will be 80 in April.

But Philadelphia has dramatically been merging parishes, lowering the number from 300+ to the 200s. So Philly might not be an automatic Cardinal archdiocese anymore.

 

[phil19034]

Why are people jumping on my post?

I didn’t say it was surprising, I know the US and Italy are already over-represented, I know those Sees still have a living Cardinal.

I was interested in what happened with the Americans because I’m American, and I was interested in what would happen with Forte, and Fisher too, and now we know. Its an interesting topic, thats all I was saying.

not meaning to jump on your post… just wanted to answer the question for readers.

 

[phil19034]

None of that is surprising. An Archbishop who is installed in a See that is ‘traditional’ occupied by a Cardinal is very rarely installed in the Collide of Cardinals while his predecessor is alive and in active Ministry.

Cardinal Mahony is still active and living in LA, so it will be quite awhile befire +Gomex is inducted into the College. Likewise with +Chaput and Cardinal Rigali in Philly., with +Cupich (Cardinal George), or even in my own Archdiocese, Archbishop Vigneron of Detroit. Cardinal Maida is still around and very active.

Cardinal Rigali turns 80 in April and is living in TN. Hopefully, Archbishop Chaput will get a red hat next year to replace him. Unless the Pope waits for more American Cardinals to turn 80 (or unless Philly is no longer an automatic).