Who will/should replace Cardainal Law?

Notwithstanding | 12-13-2002 | Notwithstanding

[Notwithstanding]

1. Who is likely to be the permamnent successor to Law?

2. Who has the requisite orthodoxy and skill?

3. Who would you like to see in the job, likelihood, orthodoxy and skill notwithstanding?

[ksen]

Maybe we can have Cardinal Law and Trent Lott switch places.

[wideawake]

(1) I don't know. It better not be Lennon, because he served under Law, was consecrated by Law and has been working in Boston for 30 years. An outsider is essential.

(2) There are a few. Bruskewitz has been mentioned.

(3) I would like to see a young (30-35ish) priest of the FSSP or Opus Dei who has no ties of any kind to Boston brought in. Someone who is still idealistic, someone who isn't afraid to step on toes in the chancery.

[SamAdams76]

I would like to see a non-Catholic obtain the post. That way, we can get a cardinal that is non-partisan and not beholden to the Vatican. Preferably one with good business skills and experience with litigation.

Once this mess gets straightened out, perhaps a Catholic replacement could be considered at that time.

[Maceman]

[Alberta's Child]

Find a guy who joined the priesthood after a young adult life of nihilism and moral depravity, pereferably one who has fathered a few kids out of wedlock. At least you'll be pretty sure he isn't gay.

Hey, it worked for St. Augustine.

[Cicero]

Bishop Fabian Bruskewicz would be terrific. I trust the Pope is not consulting Pio Laghi or any of the advisers who were responsible for earlier mistakes. He has been trying to turn this mess around for many years, and he has been doing better recently, IMHO.

[Notwithstanding]

please share your preference

[Desdemona]

Well, IMO, Myers would be a good choice, but the good people of Newark need him too.

[thegreatbeast]

Enough with the comedic low blows, okay? This is my faith, the faith of my father and the faith of my kin that you are having fun with. Just give us a few moments to regain our sense of humor, please. Thanks.
For years Law cut a good figure, who knew he didn't do his job? Listen, you think this go-along-to-get -along pervades every aspect of life in America. Law looked like all the other Important People.
I don't know names and I don't think insider/outsider or who someone was ordained by is important in Law's replacement. What is important is that it be a man of faith. A man who has no problems discerning between sins of commission and omission. A Churchman who'll come in a excommunicate the faux Catholics like the Kennedys and so may others who countenance abortion. A Churchman who'll place rebuilding the rolls of the Faithful before fundraising. Someone who will not have active homosexuals or heterosexuals in any of the Holy Orders.
That is what the Archdiocese of Boston needs in a religious leader.

[thinktwice]

Hugo's Les Miserables character -- the Bishop of Digne -- defines a good and decent bishop. Let that bishop be the norm. (NOTE -- it will never happen in the catholic church.)

[sitetest]

Dear wideawake,

"(3) I would like to see a young (30-35ish) priest of the FSSP or Opus Dei who has no ties of any kind to Boston brought in. Someone who is still idealistic, someone who isn't afraid to step on toes in the chancery."

I don't think that this is a very good idea. I doubt that there are any 30 - 35 year old priests who can properly handle the bureaucracy of a large archdiocese, especially one which seems as corrupt as Boston's seems to be.

I think that part of the problem with Cardinal Law is that he wasn't ever up to the job of dealing with the sharks and barracudas in his own bureaucracy, and that his incompetence ultimately overwhelmed and shattered his orthodoxy.

I think it's important that the next archbishop there be someone with the skills to deal with the bureaucracy. Idealism is good, but ruthlessness is necessary.

I think that Bishop Bruskewitz may be a good choice.

On another thread, another poster suggested lay participation in the process of electing bishops.

Perhaps we could all remember the Holy Father in our prayers as he makes the selection.

To me, THAT would be REAL lay participation.


sitetest

[Notwithstanding]

When the lay population is largely supportive of church doctrine, lay participation may be helpful. When the lay population is largely not supportive of doctrine, then asking the lay population to get involved is rather frightening.

All sheep need shepherds, not group facilitators.

Faithful sheep would not select a mere facilitator - but those without faith want nothing more than a feel-good facilitator - and I cringe at the thought of who they would select.

50 years ago maybe the lay people would do a better job at choosing a bishop than the current system of the pope making the selection. But as it stands, I am glad the pope makes the selection. He has learned his lesson from listening to bad advice over the past decades. His recent appointments seem better on the whole.

[Domestic Church]

Fessio or Chaput I pray!

[sitetest]

Dear Notwithstanding,

I'm not suggesting that lay participation is a good or a bad idea.

I was merely commenting that another poster had mentioned it, and I thought that prayers for the Holy Father in making this decision would be a good form of lay participation.


sitetest

[tessalu]

He fit the law and the law won.

[Petronski]

I think Boston needs a visit from Roman Catholic missionaries. I don't have a name, but how about someone selected by John Paul II and hailing from Africa or Vietnam? Someplace where Roman Catholicism is still practiced.

And in any event, NOT someone trained and selected by Cardinal Law.

[Petronski]

Have a go at this? Who should be the permanent replacement for Law?