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OriginalJS
Guest
This has to be understood in light of the furor that has erupted over the “Vatileaks” skirmishes. From my limited reading, it appears that this kerfluffle is creating a lot more news in Europe than in the US. I think the Vatican may have hired a PR expert to handle further communications. I understand the Pope’s valet may still be incarcerated after certain of the Pope’s personal papers were found in his living quarters.
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ringil
Guest
messy, messy.
I would think that the Pope should only have religious that close to him- preferably from a cloistered order. Is that even possible?
I would think that the Pope should only have religious that close to him- preferably from a cloistered order. Is that even possible?
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The_Scott
Guest
The problem with that idea is that the cloistered religious may not be good politicians. That’s the problem, really, with the Papal States throughout history (note: I’m not saying the Vatican State shouldn’t exist; I think it should).
The sovereign Vatican has a dilemma: it must be both religiously and politically pure as it can be. All other countries only needs a great administration, not necessarily a pious person, to successfully lead the country. The Vatican is held on two standards here, whereas everyone else would be judged only on one.
Throughout history, the Papal States have had absolutely moral and saintly men: Paschal I and Celestine V, for example. Clement VII, upon becoming pope, sent envoys to France, Spain, and England to stop the war. He didn’t annul Henry VIII’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon despite immense pressure of schism. Unfortunately, they were terrible administrators. Celestine V resigned, recognizing that he could not be in such a position. Clement VII was partially responsible for the Germans sacking Rome in 1527.
On the other hand, the Papal States have been led by amazing administrators. Innocent III was the greatest politician during the thirteenth century. He withstood the pressure from King John of England, he called and oversaw the Fourth Lateran Council (perhaps the greatest Council until the Council of Trent in the 17th century), he was one of the players of creating a standardized book of canon law, and so on. However, he launched the Albigensian Crusade which led to the massacre of many innocent people. Alexander VI - the Borgia Pope - was also a great administrator for the Papal States: he protected the area from French and Italian forces, and many other areas of politics. Unfortunately, because of him, the name Borgia has become a synonym for corruption - he gave his sons very high ranking places in Papal politics, he murdered Dominican friar Girolamo Savonarola because of the latter’s criticism of his papacy, and his son effectively made the Papal Palace a whorehouse for a party. Not exactly the best pastor in the world.
I apologize for the length, but my point is that being “holy” in the Vatican isn’t necessarily the best thing for the State. By no means am I saying that being holy and being a politician are mutually exclusive, but I think it would be pretty difficult. Yes, there have been popes who have been holy politicians - Pius XII and John Paul II immediately come to mind. The cloistered religious that you propose accompany the pope as Secretary of State may not know the first thing about being a politician on an international scale, which may cause even more scandal than Cardinal Bertone has.
Just my two cents; I’m welcome to criticism!
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ringil
Guest
But I’m only speaking of those (like this laymen who leaked the material) who have intimate access to the Popes actual office. I read- perhaps incorrectly, that only a few nuns and this fellow actually had the keys. That’s the level of intimacy I’m suggested could be free of laymen. I am not sure but I don’t believe this guy have any significant political role.
Maybe not possible? I don’t know.
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The_Scott
Guest
I apologize. I thought you were talking about Secretary of State Cardinal Bertone, not the papal butler.
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ringil
Guest
No problemo.
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