FRANCIS ARINZE (NIGERIAN), BORN NOV. 1, 1932 Cardinal Francis Arinze was for nearly 20 years the Vatican's point man for relations with Islam, a key element cardinals choosing the next pope may take into consideration. This has fuelled speculation he could become the first African pope in more than 1,500 years. A very spiritual man, he is sometimes seen walking to his office near the Vatican clutching rosary beads while praying, smiling all the time. A theological conservative, he was born into an animist family in the village of Eziowelle. He was not baptised until the age of nine, when he converted to Catholicism. He now heads the Vatican department for divine worship. chron.com
an·i·mism 1. The belief in the existence of individual spirits that inhabit natural objects and phenomena. 2. The belief in the existence of spiritual beings that are separable or separate from bodies. 3. The hypothesis holding that an immaterial force animates the universe.
classic!!! i think that could have some powerfully postiive effects for the church and for believers in other denominations as well. i don't know the other candidates, though...and i'm not Catholic.
Dang AOF!!!! I'm less concerned about his race, though (I believe society decides who you are, not your ethnicity), I'm more interested in his ideology and what he can do for Catholicism.
He was mentioned as one of the hopefuls along with a Cardinal from Brazil. So they are electing someone who's in his 70's again. I now understand why Pope John Paul II had the thrid longest Popacy in history (1500+ years). What's the good of having a Pope spending half of his reign in a wheelchair?
I think it would be a good signal if a pope from South America or Africa got elected. With all due respect to the recently deceased pope, hopefully the next one will be more progressive.
From a couple stories I read that seems unlikely. Sounds like the pope elects the cardinals who share most of his views. So even if there was a candidate who was progressive it doesn't seem like he could get a majority of the vote. It did sound like the next Pope may be a "transition". Meaning it may be an older pope who likley would not be around very long. I'm not Catholic but I find the entire process (of electing a new pope) pretty interesting.
i don't think you'll see "progressive" in the sense i'm guessing you mean it from S. American or African Christians. the churches in those countries tend to think US churches and Western churches in general are far too liberal, theologically.
The Cardinals need to recognize that JP was on the cutting edge of the information age and to move ahead with that, pick a a guy with a sex appeal. And nothing has more sex appeal than Mexican Soap Opera.
If I was a Cardinal, which I am not. If I was Catholic, which I am not. I would elect a very old Pope this time around, so that he won't be in charge long. Filling the shoes of Pope JP II won't be easy and I think another long reigning Pope would be a bad idea. Sort of like when a legend like Guy Lewis, Dean Smith or Tom Osbourne step down, the poor guy that comes into coach after the legend never lasts long.
