Angelo Scola, Archbishop of Milan and sometime Patriarch of Venice, is a philosopher, anthropologist and theologian as well as cardinal of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. Cardinal Scola comes from that most fortunate of generations when merit could take the son of a lorry driver to fulfilment of his promise and abilities. Note, the fulfilment of promise and abilities: there are many priests at every level yet to achieve their promise, but the papacy is not for those who are still under-qualified. Such office is not for for them because it is not for demonstrating that we are all equal. We aren't. Show who and what you are and then seek our "unconditional reverence and obedience."
How many of us (including some of those who are put forward by themselves and others for the papacy) can even begin to speak like this ?
UPDATE
Black smoke.
Black again
BIANCA [as in fumata, not fumo, ed.]
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6 comments:
Join the Concoave with a 360-degree view of the Sistine Chapel, courtesy of der Spiegel:
http://www.spiegel.de/international/a-360-degree-panorama-of-the-sistine-chapel-a-888471.htm23 paorSto
Thanks for the Bach, HG. Right perked me up after a freezing walk with the hounds (who were delighted to put up a couple of deer and, are as a result, flat out on the sofa still!) which saw me caught in a breif shower of snow.
We're dreaming of a White Easter here. No more snow, ya know!
Wall to wall Missa Luba if the Guardianistas get their prayers answered E.
They didn't, HG, so within a minute they were on the attack. The Guardian really is profoundly unpleasant.
Francis's opening sermon preached that the Church is not a vaguely religious non-governmental third sector comfy lifestyle provider. He added that those who do not pray with the Church pray to the Devil.
So refreshing to see the Prince of Lies' presence formally acknowledged even for those of us who understand the Church's teaching as a mode of cultural-values communication.
'Humble', the media keep writing. Francis isn't humble; he told his security guards he wasn't unable to take care of himself when they insisted on escorting him to church. When he got there and found that there was a pro-pedophile, very grand clergyman lurking in wait he instantly required his removal (permanently) from the church.
If the Jesuits are going to take on the Guardian mindset it's going to be spectacular.
The Telegraph, on the other hand, is on the ball
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/9932996/A-new-Pope-a-new-Primate-anda-new-life-for-Christianity.html
I'm not a practising Christian. My mum and dad were card carrying atheists, to the extent that the old man, a prankster all his life, on receipt of the parish newsletter, would often write to the vicar (or, 'Padre' as he would call him when he met him) combating him on whatever ... however, I am at peace, indeed, treasure, the Judaeo-Christian civilisation that has reared me. And the word of Jesus moves me - so it seems exciting that the new bosses in Rome *and* Canterbury may be prefacing a new dawn in religious dialogue in the world.
There is *no* reason whosoever why the new Pope, and the new Archbishop, should not be huge forces for good. It may be their time, as we start to see the growing shoots of the decline of the West. He seems to me to be a fine choice.
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