[Apologetics] Rating the Papabile

[Art Kelly]

Saturday's Washington Post had a full page, with
continuation, article on the prospects for the Papacy.
However, it wasn't too good in some ways. 

For instance, the Post failed to mention that Cardinal
Schönborn was the principal author of the Catechism, a
significant piece of information.

Much better is this article from Catholic World News
at
http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=36564

Apparantly, Cardinal Ratzinger is the frontrunner. 

Some other articles state that right now he has about
50 of the 77 votes needed for election. If so, it will
be interesting to learn, if we ever do, what happens
on the 2nd ballot. If he picks up votes, he could have
the momentum to win on the 3rd ballot.  If he doesn't
pick up votes on the 2nd ballot, conservatives may try
to find a more electable candidate, perhaps Cardinal
Arinze or one of the cardinals from South America.

My own throughts are mixed on Cardinal Ratzinger. 

While he has a reputation for being a strong
conservative, I think that may not be completely true.
I'm aware of about half a dozen things he's done that
makes me think he is far more liberal than generally
believed.

In Cardinal Ratzinger's favor is that the liberal 
cardinals from Germany, including Cardinal Kasper, do
not like him.

I don't know what to make of Cardinal Tettamanzi. One
article I read recently said he had the backing of the
ultra-conservative Opus Dei and was the personal
choice of Pope John Paul II. But other articles have
said he was the candidate of the moderates and
liberals.

Of course, the Holy Spirit will guide the new Pope.
Even a liberal could turn out to be conservative, once
elected.

I'll try to continue to send you articles, or links to
articles, that have good information on the conclave.

Art

ART KELLY, ATM-S
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