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Archives > A Bishop According to John Paul's Heart?
A Bishop According to John Paul's Heart?
- by Dr. Robert Moynihan, Editor, Inside the Vatican
VATICAN CITY, Wednesday, April 6, 2005 -- This afternoon,
an Italian colleague called me with a rumor.
He said he had heard from an Italian monsignor
rather highly placed in the Vicariate of Rome that the Pope's
testament, written on 16 pages, in Polish, beginning in 1979
(so, not just during his last illness), now translated into
Italian, and which is due to be made public in a few hours,
contains startling, almost incredible passages.
Before explaining what this monsignor told us, I wish to
make one point clear: I am not reporting "news,"
I am reporting what they call in Italian a "voce,"
a "rumor."
Normally, of course, such rumors are not to be reported.
It is a certain way to lose all journalistic credibility.
But I think I may be pardoned for mentioning this "rumor"
here, for the following reasons.
First, that it is, in fact "true" -- that is, it
is "true" that this rumor, amid many others, is
flying about the city of Rome.
This tells us something about the mood in Rome right now.
So, for those who are not in Rome, it seems important to inform
them that in every cafe, on every street corner, in every
newsroom, people are discussing rumors. "Did you hear
that..." And, "No, but I heard this..." And
so forth.
So, I am making the rather self-serving justification for
publishing this rumor by claiming that I am making a contribution
to the understanding of Rome's mood on the eve of the release
of the contents of the Pope's testament. Historians may be
grateful.
Second, it is a cautionary tale. In the absence of hard and
clear news, rumors always germinate and grow, sometimes taking
on a life of their own. We all have seen this phenomenon.
So, to report this rumor in this case is to give a true insight
into the "mood" and even the "mental world"
in which journalists, Vatican monsignors and ordinary mourners
in Rome are now living, just two days before John Paul's funeral,
and 11 days before the scheduled opening of the papal conclave
on April 18.
Finally, in this case, it seemed to me, that, since the Pope's
testament will in any case be made public in less than 12
hours, most likely "scotching" this rumor for the
"poison apple" (false story peddled by non-credible
and perhaps malevolent sources) that one imagines it must
be, it could be published now, in the middle of the Roman
night, knowing that in a brief time it would be tested by
the light of day, and the true facts.
I should also mention that I discussed this news this afternoon
with producers at CNN and with other journalists, and all
agreed it was not reportable "news" in that there
was no way to check the report, especially given that all
the cardinals who could confirm or deny it are sworn to secrecy
under pain of excommunication.
What did my monsignor source say?
That John Paul II, in his testament, names the man he believes
would make a worthy successor for him, and, that the name
mentioned is that of an Italian bishop.
I will not speculate further on what this might mean; it
will be soon enough for such meditations, tomorrow afternoon...
This same source said that the testament contains the name
of a mystery cardinal "in pectore," but that, without
the two written witnesses to confirm this name, the name will
not be accepted.
===========
As John Paul's funeral approaches (it is scheduled for Friday
morning at 10:00 AM), it seems to be taking on the characteristics
of a world political and religious summit, to be held outdoors,
in the presence of hundreds of thousands, and or hundreds
of millions worldwide. This raises spontaneously the question
of whether this funeral can in some way be of cathartic importance
for humanity.
===========
Under the headline "Brazilian cardinal says he doesn't
think he will be chosen as pope," a Brazilian news agency
has suggested that the Archbishop of Sao Paulo, Cardinal Claudio
Hummes, is taking his candidacy for the papacy "off the
table."
Hummes says he does not believe in pundits who have said
he's in the running to be chosen as successor to Pope John
Paul II. Before leaving for Rome, Hummes, 70, said he expected
to return soon to Brazil. "Surely I will return soon,
to resume the post of archbishop of Sao Paulo," he told
reporters, the dpa agency reported.
Several of Hummes's aides cited by Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper
Wednesday said the cardinal is "certain" he will
be returning to Sao Paulo, not staying on in Rome as pope.
Nonetheless -- and here follows that dreaded word once again
-- speculation that he might become the successor of John
Paul II prompted a publishing house to speed up publication
of a book of 110 newspaper articles by Hummes. Originally
scheduled for May, the book's launching was brought forward
to Friday, even though Hummes will not be in Sao Paulo.
============
Cardinal Fiorenzo Angelini, 88 (so, not one of the voters
because over 80) told a Roman newspaper that he does not see
"the possibility" of an Italian Pope. Cardinal Francis
Arinze, in Nigeria, seemed to take his own candidacy off the
charts by saying that the Western world is "not ready"
for "an African Pope." This occurred just as a Spanish
newspaper, La Razon of Madrid, published an article in which
a priest argued that the American CIA was attempting to use
the world's media to influence the election precisely of Arinze,
in order to avoid the election of a strong European Pope.
A priest sketched for me a scenario in which, with no Italian
candidate (per Angelini) and no African (per Arinze) the choice
would fall naturally on... Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. But,
Ratzinger is opposed by a considerable, but minority, group
of cardinals, this theorist said. These opponents will become
so concerned that they may even foment protests and demonstrations,
then, as an ultimate weapon, threaten... schism. "Ratzinger
will be elected, but, fearing he will split the Church, he
will step aside when the left threatens schism. The moment
of the battle has not yet come. It will come after the reading
of the Testament."
========
For those who are curious about the odds being given for
different candidates by betting agencies, consider this link:
http://grand-national.bestbetting.com/specials/current-affairs/religion/who-will-be-the-next-pope
=========
This betting page gives the best odds to Milan's cardinal
archbishop, Dionigi Tettamanzi, who is regarded as a conservative.
But one of our colleagues has compiled this special
report entitled "Two Italian Cardinals":
"Gentlemen: It has come to my attention that there are
two Italian cardinals in the running to become our next Pope
-- one excellent, the other exceedingly bad.
"First, the bad news:
"1. One of the men being heavily promoted to become
our next pope is the notorious Dionigi Tettamanzi, the Cardinal-archbishop
of Milan. This has caused great apprehension among orthodox
Catholics concerned about the future of the Church. Tettamanzi
is frequently described in the media as a 'conservative,'
but in reality, from what I have been told, there is nothing
conservative about him. He is -- I quote trusted sources --
a 'wolf-in-sheep's clothing,' a dangerous innovator, who,
if given a chance, might make John XXIII and Paul VI look
like Hard-Right Traditionalists -- I kid you not -- Tettamanzi's
detractors believe he would usher in ANOTHER REVOLUTION were
he to become pope.
"What is the evidence for this? Well, for starters --
and even the Encyclopedia Britannica might not be able to
contain all of this man's antics, were it to chronicle them
-- Tettamanzi is best known as the main contributor to a book
of essays on 'Christian Anthropology and Homosexuality,' in
Italian: Antropologia cristiana e omossessualita -- now in
its THIRD PRINTING. The essays caused a sensation when they
first appeared, and have now been immortalized in a book --
popular among liberal psychologists and 'forward-thinking
progressives' -- but Tettamanzi's book has flown beneath the
radar screens of most Americans, and certainly the media.
It is an overt attempt to 'understand' the homosexual ethos,
from a 'new' Christian perspective -- the same perspective
which has led to so much permissiveness in our seminaries
and beyond.
"Tettamanzi has successfully fooled certain Catholics
into
believing he is a 'conservative' because he uses traditional,
even pious language, even mentioning the influence of Satan,
in a transparent effort to inoculate himself from any suspicion.
He apparently even has the support of some in Opus Dei. Also,
he has an innocent, roly-poly look which leads some to believe
he is a jovial, harmless prelate, not at all looking to rock
the boat. But if you get beyond the 'conservative' reputation,
and his disarming appearance -- if you read him carefully,
and you talk to people in the know, they will tell you that
Tettamanzi, were he to become Pope, would be the worst disaster
to befall the Church in many a century. In fact, one colleague
admitted to me privately: 'If the new Pope walks out onto
the papal balcony, and I see Dionigi Tettamanzi's smiling
face, I think I'm going to collapse. I'll be curled up into
a fetal position, and it will take several weeks for friends
to rouse me. The Church, as we know it, will be over.'
"Over and above his sympathy toward the homosexual ethos
is Tettamanzi's ambition, which is looked down upon in Rome.
Indeed, if there is one thing which may prevent Tettamanzi
from becoming Pope -- perhaps our best hope -- it is this
unbridled ambition -- in today's Church, ambition is less
forgivable than adopting a 'new' perspective on sexual immorality.
Among the orthodox, a cry has gone out to the faithful Cardinals
gathering for the Conclave: 'No to Tettamanzi!' and even 'Anybody
but Tettamanzi!' (Well, almost anybody -- we wouldn't want
anybody from the Netherlands, for example).
"2. In contrast to Tettamanzi, is my choice for Pope,
a man I am praying and even predicting will be our next Pope
-- a cardinal who has not gotten too much media attention
but is a favorite among the orthodox, and very much in the
mold of our best popes like Pius XII -- a pastor, a diplomat,
and intellectual -- Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, now the
prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.
"He is known to be quite faithful, severe when he needs
to be, but also open to change and reform that would strengthen
the faithful (he has been in the forefront of fighting the
evils of homosexual priestly child abuse, unlike many other
Church officials), and immensely compassionate, intelligent
and aware of the Church's -- and the world's -- most serious
problems.
"He is a man of peace and conciliation whose reach is
not limited to Europe -- he has very close connections to
the Third World -- but he is not naive about real dangers
in our age of Terror, and has a very realistic appreciation
of the contemporary world. He is not afraid to preach the
Gospel and/or the truths of the Church to anyone, and has
an excellent relationship with the world's bishops. Everything
else I have been told about Cardinal Re, who attends confession
frequently -- so sensitive he is to sin -- leads me to believe
that 'he will be a magnificent Pope' -- as Pius XI said of
Cardinal Pacelli, before the latter became Pius XII -- who
would lead the Church into the twenty-first century, picking
up and extending the great legacy of John Paul II, while also
-- if I can say so respectfully -- clean up some of John Paul
II's underreported messes.
"Here is a very telling comment, on Cardinal Tettamanzi,
from Time magazine's cover story (April 11th) on the passing
of John Paul II, and who is hustling to take his place: 'The
former Archbishop of Genoa who has succeeded Martini (the
very liberal Jesuit and one-time Great Hope of the liberals)
in Milan. His [Tettamanzi's] philosophical approach is sufficiently
unclear that neither the progressive Cardinals nor the doctrinaire
are likely to oppose him.' A perfect -- and chilling -- description
of Tettamanzi's elusive, deceptive, oh-so-seductive thinking:
he is like the German philosopher Heidegger, or the impenetrable
Immanual Kant: his philosophical novelties are like little
time bombs; but they are so dense and incomprehensible that
nobody understands them at first... but Tettamanzi's got that
smile, and he reminds people of John XXIII, so people think
he must be great. But wait: ecclesiastical in-fighting to
the rescue: Time indicates that the liberal Cardinal Martini--whom
the ambitious Tettamanzi replaced in a bitter transition --
is still upset with the way he was unceremoniously forced
to retire, and Time indicates that Martini may enact revenge
at the Conclave: 'Martini, the man who might have been Pope,
could work to derail Tettamanzi's candidacy.'
"Yes, go Cardinal Martini! Martini is far too liberal
to ever become Pope; but he can block Tettamanzi, so Cardinal
Re can score a theological touchdown and become Pope.
"Note: the following article, on who may be the next
Pope, from the Chicago Tribune, says the odds-on favorite
is the 'conservative' Tettamanzi, but Cardinal Re is closing
in on him as a rival -- of course, the Italians could cancel
each other out, and we could usher in a Third World Pope;
but if not, Re could emerge from the conclave as...Pope John
Paul III.
(http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-0504030438apr03,1,3559361.story?coll=chi-news-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true)
(Editor: You must register with the Chicago Tribune to access
this article.)
==========
Meanwhile, there are more encouraging signs for the
East.
Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople, who will attend
Friday's funeral, issued this statement entitled "Upon
the falling asleep in the Lord of Pope John Paul II."
His Holiness Pope John Paul II, having fulfilled the duty
of life, which is common to all humans, has fallen asleep
in the Lord. May God give rest to his soul in the place of
the living, where there is no sorrow, grief nor mourning.
Pope John Paul II envisioned the restoration of the unity
of the Christians and he worked for its realization. Thus,
and in order to give the mark of his papacy, he visited the
Ecumenical Patriarchate only a year after his election, and
together with Patriarch Demetrios declared the formation of
the Joint Committee for the inception of the Theological Dialogue
between Orthodox and Roman Catholics. He did not hesitate
before pains and sacrifices in order to bring the message
of the Gospel to the entire world and to contribute to the
establishment of peace. History will also recount his crucial
contribution to the fall of atheistic communism. There are
not many such brave men of vision, as the departed Pope. During
his passage through the Hierarchy and especially through the
leadership of the Roman Catholic Church, he drew deep his
traces on her and on the history of all humanity, and he has
left behind the indelible imprint of his strong personality.
Many of his initiatives have been inception of developments,
which still advance today. He was a pioneer in many issues.
For this reason, his death is a loss not only to his Church,
but to all of Christianity as well, and to the international
community in general, who desires peace and justice.
We express our deep personal sorrow and on behalf of the
Ecumenical Patriarchate for the resting of our beloved brother
in Christ, and we share the mourning of the millions of our
Roman Catholic brothers and sisters worldwide.
May his memory be eternal and may the Lord of life and death
bring forth a most worthy successor, among the many personalities
that adorn the hierarchy of the sister Church.
At the Patriarchate, 2 April 2005
========
Likewise, Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk, a Russian
Orthodox leader who plans to attend the funeral, sent his
condolences "On the Demise of His Holiness John Paul
II, the Pope of Rome." This is the text of his
message:
On 3 April 2005, Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad,
Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of
the Moscow Patriarchate, sent his condolences on the demise
of His Holiness John Paul II, the Pope of Rome, to His Eminence
Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, Dean of the Sacred College of Cardinals
Vatican City
Your Eminence!
It is with profound grief that I express my condolences to
you and the Plenitude of the Roman Catholic Church on the
passing away in the Lord of His Holiness Pope John Paul II.
The many years of the ministry of His Holiness as Primate
of the Roman Catholic Church were a most important stage in
modern history. The judgements of the late Pope on many problems
in the life of society and on the affirmation of the eternal
Christian values in and the necessity to revive the moral
role of Christians in the secularizing world have always found
a favourable response in our Church.
The last days of John Paul II were marked by qualities, which
have gained him respect of all people. He endured his sufferings
with strong faith, thus making millions of people to admire
his courage.
I sincerely hope that his memory will serve the cause of
building up good relations between our Churches and will be
the pledge for overcoming the present difficulties.
I pray to the Lord Jesus Christ for the repose of the soul
of His Holiness Pope John Paul II.
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