Mahony Flies To Rome For Solemnities, Conclave (Cardinal from Los Angeles to Visit Vatican)

Los Angeles Times ^ | April 2, 2005 | K. Connie Kang

[bd476]

Mahony Flies To Rome For Solemnities, Conclave

By K. Connie Kang
Times Staff Writer

April 2, 2005

"As he prepared to fly to Rome to probably attend the funeral of the current pope and help elect a new one, Cardinal Roger M. Mahony of Los Angeles asked for spiritual help to get through the momentous events ahead.

"I ask all the people in Southern California to pray for all the cardinals — that we listen wisely to God's voice, the Holy Spirit, and that we choose wisely the next shepherd of the universal church," Mahony told reporters Friday night at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.

Mahony had celebrated a noon and a 5 p.m. Mass before heading to LAX and ... (Snip) ...then Rome."

"As with many of the other cardinals who will choose a successor to John Paul II, this would be Mahony's first participation in such a conclave. He described himself as being "very excited but also nervous."

Mahony, whose diocese includes an estimated 5 million Roman Catholics in Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, said the pope had been given a "very special grace" to know that death was near.

"We hear so often about people who are killed instantly ... and have no time to prepare for the greatest moment of our lives — passing from this life into eternal life," Mahony said.

In Rome, he and other cardinals from around the world will be asked to set dates for nine funeral Masses, Mahony said. He said the pope's burial should take place between the fourth and sixth day after his death..."

>> Snip

"...Only the Holy Spirit knows how that will unfold, he said, declining to speculate on candidates..."

[JohnnyZ]

Hopefully Mahony won't do too much damage.

[bd476]

Cardinal Roger Mahony Flies to Rome Ping.

[TheOtherOne]

for those who want to read at LATIMES....username and password

biased/biased

[Petronski]

I feel guilty for feeling this way, but I really wish Mahony had nothing to do with it.

[bd476]

Thanks, T.O.O. that's helpful.

[bd476]

I am praying for God's Will on this one too, Petronski.

[MEG33]

Praying God's will be done.

[Petronski]

You've done a wonderful job on these threads. Grim duty, but also a labor of love.

[nickcarraway]

Time for the vultures.

[nickcarraway]

Why do you feel guilty about that?

[Petronski]

Because I am judging his worthiness by his previous acts, not by his heart (which I cannot know).

[onyx]

Thank you for the ping.
You have been steadfast
in keeping us abreast of
the sad news. Much appreciated.

[onyx]

It helps me to recall that "Papa" appointed Mahoney.

[bd476]

Petronski wrote: "You've done a wonderful job on these threads. Grim duty, but also a labor of love."

It is a labor of love, Petronski and I've had a whole lot of help. Thank you. :)

[Lauren BaRecall]

Don't feel guilty. It's a sure bet that the Holy Spirit won't pick him, even though Mahony is probably rehearsing his acceptance speech.

[nickcarraway]

That's all you can do, but it's not necessarily unfair to judge someone on their actions.

[MEG33]

He has touched so many..

[Petronski]

I'm not worried about Mahony being selected. I regret he'll have any input at all.

[bd476]

Thank you for your very kind note, Onyx. Thank you for helping me.