Sedia Gestatoria may be coming back

  • Thread starter Thread starter redrosetea
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It is really a useful thing…Pope Paul used it because he was quite crippled with arthritis, and had a bad hip…It is a very long walk down St Peters for someone who has mobility problems, and lets face it most of the popes are rather elderly

It is also easier for the crowd to see him if he is suspended about their heads
 
While I understand that that the sedia might help with the Pope’s personal security in some ways, it might be misunderstood by the non-Catholic world.

And, then, it just might make him a better target for a sniper.
 
I really don’t care if it is misunderstood, because frankly, many of these people are only looking to nit pick what ever a Catholic does especially the pope

Point taken about a sniper but you will never be able to protect the pope from everything…They do have metal detectors as you enter St Peters, so I have read
 
redrosetea said:
I really don’t care if it is misunderstood, because frankly, many of these people are only looking to nit pick what ever a Catholic does especially the pope

Point taken about a sniper but you will never be able to protect the pope from everything…They do have metal detectors as you enter St Peters, so I have read
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And there are plastic firearms.

St. Paul said that we are to give no offence to the Jews, Gentiles, OR the Church of God. I understand the history of the sedia, but it IS something that has been wrenched from context by controversialists.

Of course, there will ALWAYS be people who are looking at for something to cause offence–and this, alas, is not even limited to non-Catholics, as we can see from these blogs.

Ultimately, it’s a decision that rests on the Pope himself, and not on you or me.
 
bpbasilphx said:
And there are plastic firearms.
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Probably, but there is no way you can cover everything…JPII was shot at almost point blank range

I would like to see it given a chance, if only for the people to be able to get a better view of him as he walked down the aisle to say mass…many people travel so far to be able to get a slight glimpse of him
 
I really don’t care if it is misunderstood, because frankly, many of these people are only looking to nit pick what ever a Catholic does especially the pope
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When it comes to something like the Sedia Gestatoria, it is the Pope’s job to care. I personally have no problem with it; I think it looks kind of cool and unique. On the other hand, if something so minor deters conversions to the faith (and the Sedia Gestatoria is ultimately a very minor thing, even in the area of cool Catholic small-t papal traditions), it doesn’t need to be used.

Of course, its also not my job to weigh the factors and make the decision; only the Pope and his aides can ultimately make that judgment. But of all the priorities out there, the Sedia Gestatoria is pretty low on the list.
 
I think it would make the traditional faithful happy, and frankly, the traditional faithful could do with a few little more drops of happiness. 🙂

The people who would complain about it, will always complain about everything. Monstrances, statues, any sort of procession, they will complain.

We can put our Pope up in a big chair and carry him around without fear of stepping on their oversensitive toes. If they have any grace of God and good will, they will get over it.
 
I don’t think it would help much as a security measure really. Imagine the injuries he might sustain if someone pulls the chair down or just trips up one of the bearers and everyone goes down like dominoes, pontiff included. I think a better idea would be to have a some security people made part of the procession. They could wear vestments or could even be specially trained “security deacons”.

C.
 
bpbasilphx said:
St. Paul said that we are to give no offence to the Jews, Gentiles, OR the Church of God. I understand the history of the sedia, but it IS something that has been wrenched from context by controversialists.
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There are those who are offended by the fact that Pope has a heartbeat. Since carrying the Pope in a seat is not an attack on a particular religion, St. Paul’s admonition does not apply. And since the Church of God IS the Catholic Church, we cannot offend ourselves by carrying the Pontiff in a chair. Whether it raises or lowers the security risk is another matter.
 
bpbasilphx said:
And there are plastic firearms.

St. Paul said that we are to give no offence to the Jews, Gentiles, OR the Church of God.
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:rolleyes:

Is it right that a bishop has the time on his hands to hang out on forums and be snarky? Seriously, Bp Basil. Do you not have anything better to do?
 
…sigh… Here we go again…We had this same discussion when this blog entry was first posted several months ago, so I will simply repeat what was stated then.

The sedia gestatoria is NOT coming back, and there have been no indications from the Holy See that this is even being permitted. All that happened was that a blogger, a parish priest in England, spoke of how he personally thinks it would be nice to see it again, nothing more.

The Holy Father, though he has resumed certain other papal traditions, has demonstrated no interest in this whatsoeever. Remember, he chose to continue the papal installation ceremony of his two predecessors, and not the coronation ceremony. Pope Benedict even chose a coat of arms that omitted the papal tiara, something that not even John Paul II did.
 
Cetil said:
I don’t think it would help much as a security measure really. Imagine the injuries he might sustain if someone pulls the chair down or just trips up one of the bearers and everyone goes down like dominoes, pontiff included. I think a better idea would be to have a some security people made part of the procession. They could wear vestments or could even be specially trained “security deacons”.

C.
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Didn’t the security forces (Noble Guard and Palatine Guard) used to be part of the procession? They used to have quite nice looking uniforms, as well, which added a nice touch. Maybe either reviving them, or putting the Swiss Guard in their place, might be something worth considering.
 
\I think it would make the traditional faithful happy, and frankly, the traditional faithful could do with a few little more drops of happiness.\

If it takes furniture to make some self-styled traditionalists happy, something is TERRIBLY wrong somewhere.

||Is it right that a bishop has the time on his hands to hang out on forums and be snarky? Seriously, Bp Basil. Do you not have anything better to do?||

Keep on blessing me, ibkc. All you do is increase my heavenly treasure.
 
As I recall, the last time the sedia gestatoria was used was in 1978 by PP John-Paul I, but I have heard a recurring rumor that its use might might be restored. But, it’s just that: a rumor. IMO, it would be a nice touch, especially for certain solemn occasions. Time will tell if the rumor is true.
 
Before I worry about what the world thinks, my first priority is the safety of the Pope.
The great minds of the spin zone can figure out to make it acceptable after the
best method of protection is found.
 
It is just a rumor at this point. But since the Vatican is reviewing its security measures now, they may be considering its use, though as I mentioned in an earlier post I think it creates as many problems as it might solve.

C.
 
bpbasilphx said:
If it takes furniture to make some self-styled traditionalists happy, something is TERRIBLY wrong somewhere.
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The Catholic Church spent over a billion dollars throwing out old “furniture” like communion rails, confessionals, high altars, pews, kneelers, something the Church faithful had funded. But you were okay with that?
Keep on blessing me, ibkc. All you do is increase my heavenly treasure.
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Yes, bishop, it’s all about you. :rolleyes:
 
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