WHO WILL BE THE NEXT POPE?

Slate.com ^ | October 15, 2003 | Steven Waldman

[Netizen]

If I have to pick from your list, I'll take this one:

Jean-Baptist Gurion OSB Oliv

[MWS]

It could be good for a relatively unknown bishop to become pope. An unknown will not necessarily have invested too much in playing the games of politics and could potentially push forward some very valuable changes in the Church.

While it is nice to talk about reuniting the Christian churches, it seems most expedient for the Church to get her own house in order first - namely, curtailing liturgical abuses, addressing the clerical abuses, remedying the homosexual seminarian problems, and working to heal the crises of faith that have arisen for many of the faithful. It would be good to see rifts between the Church and Traditionalist groups like SSPX bridged as well. It is only after the problems plaguing the Western Church are fixed that we can move forward towards the greater unity among Christians that we seek.

[Romish_Papist]

I'm also hoping for Arinze.

[Romish_Papist]

"With all these variations or possibilities, it makes me wonder if a bit of Nostradamus hindsight will take place after the fact."

That's my concern too. I'm not knocking the prophecies, but you have to wonder. Isn't there some old saying about finding any connection to something else if you look hard enough?

That said, the "Glory of the Olive" according to the prophecy will do great things for the Church. "De Gloria Olivae/From the Glory of the Olives: The Order of Saint Benedict has claimed that this pope will come from their ranks. Saint Benedict himself prophesied that before the end of the world his Order, known also as the Olivetans, will triumphantly lead the Catholic Church in its fight against evil."

[nickcarraway]

Wait, you believe in the prophecy of St. Malachy? You don't believe in any other apparition, miracle, or prophecy, but you believe in that?

[sinkspur]

I absolutely DO NOT believe in the prophecy of St. Malachy. It's superstition.

[theFIRMbss]

>WHO WILL BE THE NEXT POPE?
>>Me
>>>No - Me

[nickcarraway]

Then why are you endorsing it?

[sinkspur]

I'm not endorsing it. What's the matter with you? You are distorting every single thing I say.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

Since no one has clearly come to the fore, I, AMPU will throw my hat into the ring. I will do it quietly on this forum and I would appreciate your support. If elected, I will serve with honor - though not catholic. I have plans for how I would use my new position to bless all.

My constituency here on FR will, of course, be favorites of mine. You will be "in". You will have a direct pipeline.

I wish you all well.

ampu

[Antoninus]

As I recall my history, there have already been 3 black Popes: Saint Victor I, who reigned from 189 to 199 A.D., Saint Miltiades, who reigned from 311 to 314, and Saint Gelasius I, who reigned from 492 to 496.

Uh, black and African aren't synonymous. The Africans of the 2nd-5th centuries which you name were most likely ethnic Romans.

[MadIvan]

In this spirit, I throw my hat into the ring. And unlike the other candidates, I actually am Catholic.

If selected, I will bring back the Inquisition and apply it to so-called liberal "intellectuals" trying to undermine the Church's moral message.

I will set the Swiss guards on ABC, CBS and NBC reporters.

I will refer to Socialists in all my public proclamations as "amoral bastards".

If there is another Terri Schiavo, I will bring her water personally and I will excommunicate anyone who tries to get in my way.

I will excommunicate the entire Kennedy family.

I will maintain good relations with the Anglicans, but will excommunicate Gene Robinson.

I will not be visiting any mosques.

Bono, and most other pop stars are not welcome. Ted Nugent, however, may come.

I will bring back the Latin Mass with a vengeance.

New "politically correct" versions of the Bible will be burned in a massive bonfire in St. Peter's Square.

Oh, and Pope John Paul II will be made a Saint.

Regards,

Pope Ivan I (Just kidding)

[aMorePerfectUnion]

OK, Ivan...

this one upsmanship doesn't bode well for your selection!

ampu

[mjtobias]

I like Ratzinger.

[MHT]

But Gurion is not a cardinal, and regardless of the possibility that the next pope can come from a rank other than "cardinal", the probability is unlikely. There are just too many bishops for the voting cardinals to have known with any sense of spiritual certainty or direction. It's like saying that the Mayor of Dallas will be the next President.

The first bet I'm placing is on whether or not it will be a cardinal and I'm saying "yes".

[Netizen]

I only picked that one because it said 'oliv' next to their name. ;)

[Gal.5:1]

or maybe Lustiger...