Pope Francis contemplates appointing a female cardinal

el país ^ | 9-23-2013 | Juan Arias

[ClaytonP]

It’s not a joke. It’s something that Pope Francis has thought about before: naming a woman cardinal. Those who know the pope, both before and after he took over from Ratzinger, say that the first Jesuit pontiff is not only surprising people with his comments, but also with his actions. And this has been happening throughout his first six months in the role.

Those who think that Francis – who has all the simplicity of a parish priest – is a naïve man are wrong. This pope isn’t an ordinary pope. He has come to St. Peter’s with concrete plans for the Catholic Church: he wants to revive Christianity by taking it back to its origins.

The symbolism of his actions began when he first appeared on the balcony at St. Peter’s, calling himself “a bishop” and asking the people to bless him. Since then, he has wasted no time in making unexpected decisions, which have shocked those both inside and outside the Church.

And he will continue to do so, especially with his plans to appoint a female cardinal. He knows that a woman’s role in the Church is an unresolved issue that cannot wait any longer. He was clear about this during his interview with La Civiltà Cattolica last week. “The Church cannot be herself without the woman and her role,” he said. “The woman is essential for the Church. Mary, a woman, is more important than the bishops. I say this because we must not confuse the function with the dignity.”

Some would argue that women are not allowed to be deacons as they were 800 years ago

In other words, it was as if Pope Francis was saying: “The Church isn’t complete because the woman’s role is missing.”

How can he introduce that essential component? He answered the question himself during the interview: “We must therefore investigate further the role of women in the Church. We have to work harder to develop a profound theology of the woman.”

And that theology, according to the pope, cannot be construed within the Vatican’s walls.” The feminine genius is needed wherever we make important decisions,” he said.

He may pave the way with discussions that urgently put the issue of a woman’s role in the Church on the table, or better yet, “in front of the altar.” And one of those gestures could be the naming of the first female cardinal. Is that feat impossible? No, because canonical law states that cardinals don’t have to be priests, they can be deacons.

Some would argue that women are not allowed to be deacons as they were 800 years ago among the first Christian communities. But this is one of the reforms that Francis has in mind; it is not based on any dogma. A woman could become a deaconess tomorrow if he so desired.

As Phyllis Zagano of Loyola University in Chicago, an expert on the issue, wrote: “A female deaconess is not an idea for the future. It is an issue for the present and today.”

Zagano brought up the matter with Cardinal Ratzinger before he became pope. “This is something that is being studied,” he told her. Pope Benedict XVI did not follow through but Pope Francis might.

The Armenian Apostolic Church and the Greek Orthodox Church, which have close links to the Vatican, both have deaconesses.

Any woman who is appointed deaconess can indeed become a cardinal without having to change canonical law.

Cardinals serve as advisors to the pope and their primary function is to elect a new pontiff.

“Knowing this pope, he wouldn’t hesitate before appointing a woman cardinal,” said one Jesuit priest. “And he would indeed enjoy being the first pope to allow women to participate in the selection of a new pontiff.”

[Revolting cat!]

Paradoxically, the angry bashers see themselves as saintly and on the side of the angels. Go figure!

[NewCenturions]

So much for “Christian unity”!

[narses]

Q.E.D.

[boatbums]

The snarky and loud crowd seem more like raging heathens every day but they're fading fast.They were once all over the place but now only congregate where they know they can rely on a crooked dealer to deal them their cards.

If people don't like the way Jim Robinson operates the website and the way his moderators work to ensure fairness and at least uphold a standard of decency on the Religion Forum - which shouldn't be necessary if adults monitor themselves - then they should retire their screen names and spend their time in more productive ways elsewhere. Since they have already decided to cease supporting the site, it won't be much of a loss if they self-zotted. Nobody's stopping them and they probably will not be missed!

[Hacksaw]

If people don't like the way Jim Robinson operates the website and the way his moderators work to ensure fairness and at least uphold a standard of decency on the Religion Forum - which shouldn't be necessary if adults monitor themselves - then they should retire their screen names and spend their time in more productive ways elsewhere. Since they have already decided to cease supporting the site, it won't be much of a loss if they self-zotted. Nobody's stopping them and they probably will not be missed!

Wow. You forgot to ask Jim if you could clap the erasers.

[WVKayaker]

Absolute garbage.

The Catholic Church tests everything against Scripture and nothing it teaches can contradict Scripture. -rashstatement

Exodus 20: 4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

worship (ˈwɜːʃɪp)

— vb , ( US ) -ships , -shipping , -shipped , -ships , -shiping , -shiped
1. ( tr ) to show profound religious devotion and respect to; adore or venerate (God or any person or thing considered divine)
. ( tr ) to be devoted to and full of admiration for
3. ( intr ) to have or express feelings of profound adoration
4. ( intr ) to attend services for worship
5. obsolete ( tr ) to honour

[boatbums]

Wow. You forgot to ask Jim if you could clap the erasers.

I'd like to think that ALL Freepers would want to support the people that make this site possible. JR and John sacrifice personally every day to do so and the moderators - who VOLUNTEER - deserve praise for their hard work. If some people think so little of this wonderful site that they criticize, mock, sneer and complain every time their weak feelings get tweaked, I don't doubt that the TRUE supporters would tell them not to let the door hit them on their backside on the way out!

[boatbums]

And what would you call post #78? It’s only “bashing” when your “side” is criticized?

[daniel1212]

Rashputin, none of your verbiage refutes what i said, and in fact, you now basically affirm that Rome has placed Scripture in subjection to herself.

And rather than an argument, your response consists of another rant attacking the poster and mere assertions and false premises, which argumentation has been refutedbefore , including the argument that the LXX of Christ's day included the apocrypha. And since this ranting has dealt with, i will not bother to do so again with your rant #2.

I will again say what i said before, when you can actually form an argument (your pictures are no better) rather than a rant that is based upon the false assertion that Rome is the one true church, and which ignores my refutation of that, then you can get back to me.

[Deo volente]

Sad to see so much Catholic bashing.

It's par for the course here. For some reason it's permitted.

[servantboy777]

>>so when did it stop being Biblical according to them.<<

So I'm still attempting to understand papal infallibility.

Is he right or wrong?

[Rashputin]

I Corinthians 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews indeed a stumblingblock, and unto the Gentiles foolishness:

I Corinthians 1:24 But unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

[Mr Rogers]

I once spent a few months being a moderator on a website. I quit because I was staying up to 2AM trying to edit the viciousness from a website about riding horses, for goodness sakes!

Those who haven’t tried being a moderator on a frequently visited website ought to be careful about blasting the moderators. It is a lot of work and not many thanks...

[NewCenturions]

"I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment."

(1 Corinthians 1:10)...someday...

[Rashputin]

Haven't read or haven't understood the forum rules?

Posters who take global condemnations personally should neither read nor post to "open" RF threads and instead read and post to RF threads labeled "caucus" "ecumenical" "prayer" or "devotional."

In addition, if someone ASSumes that their personal ASSumptions are the specifics a poster had in mind when the poster spoke in general terms, then the ASSumptons of the reader if expressed in a post constitute "mind reading" which is also against forum rules.

[boatbums]

Q.E.D.

[boatbums]

I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. (II Timothy 4:1,2)

[Rashputin]

II Timothy 4:3 For there shall be a time, when they will not endure sound doctrine ; but, according to their own desires, they will heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears : II Timothy 4:3 4 And will indeed turn away their hearing from the truth, but will be turned unto fables.

And those who fit the description given in verses three and four will always quote verses one and two and ignore verses three and four.

Nothing satisfies those who believe in the heresy of Self and Self Alone as others who assure them that, "I'm Ok, You're Ok" and that they're right to claim the same liberty Eve pursued when she adopted the lie of Self above all else.

[boatbums]

Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. (II Tim. 2:14-16)

[Rashputin]

Matthew 5:46 For if you love them that love you, what reward shall you have ? do not even the publicans this ?

Luke 6:46 And why call you me, Lord, Lord; and do not the things which I say?

Jude 1:10 But these men blaspheme whatever things they know not : and what things soever they naturally know, like dumb beasts, in these they are corrupted.
Jude 1:11 Woe unto them, for they have gone in the way of Cain : and after the error of Balaam they have for reward poured out themselves, and have perished in the contradiction of Core.

I Corinthians 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews indeed a stumblingblock, and unto the Gentiles foolishness:
I Corinthians 1:24 But unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.