Posted on 04/16/2005 9:08:24 PM PDT by Salvation
The sentiments of judgement upon my prognosticatings are indeed welcomed with every sincerity.
The eagerness with which the same are here condemned has come to be received as a matter extremely amusing in its miscontrivance.
My own prediction may of course be dismissed out of hand, even by those of some intelligence, as now proven wrong, but only if we take for granted certain things of which we cannot be entirely certain. Among these would be the existence of balloting and the establishment of traditional voting caucuses with the conclusion being the unanimous acceptance of HH the Pontiff ( it has been here written, correctly, that these proceedings are secret so presuppositions cannot be made ).
Setting aside, for the time being, the probabilities of Sirian styled conclave politicking ( which history has revealed to have been at work in the twentieth century )and the question of Scola's 'accepto', my prediction remains untested in that by default this pontiff has not been selected by the college of cardinals but has been confirmed by the same, HH John Paull II's hand picked successor.
In every papal election in which a successor has by default or deiure been appointed by the deceased pontiff, the conclave either confirms the nominated cardinal or elects another, it does not elect the appointee.
What many insiders and historians will fail to recognize until decades from now is the singular importance of what has happened in this non-electing conclave. HH John Paul II, by his actions leading up to his demise, appointed a successor, more succintcly than any of his predecessors did. This, study shall prove, is a natural and common vaticanical custom. The rarity is in the cardinals acceptance.
The immense respect for the last Pontiff led to the confirmation of his desired successor. This to me is extremely interesting, not to mention unusual for that political body, seeking the Holy Spirit.
I do feel that they acted in accordance with the dictates of the Holy Spirit, in all probability; and out of immense respect for the late pontiff's legacy. So great a legacy it was that it could only be accepted by his chosen successor.
The primary alternative to my hypothesis as here stated would be that this college of cardinals is a group of impotent custodians of the status quo. This too easily affords the sterotypes of homophobia, sexism and arrogance with which the American Roman catholic laity is now fatally infected.
They are certain that this pontiff, Benedict XVI, has been chosen to be an historical asterisk, chosen to do little else besides dying in a timely manner. Terry McAullife attested to his optimism for a "short papacy".
We traditionalists, in all Christian bodies, know this not to be the case, and know that doctrinal authority is not the deviation but the rule in all well ordered churches.
To my Roman friends I offer my congratulations and prayers.
As an Anglican I rejoice in the triumphing power of the Holy Spirit, and pray for this Bishop of Rome and all Bishops.
At which point did this become the prayer of the conclave or the faithful? The ORIGINAL prayers said from the Votive Mass for the election of a pope are as follows: "We entreat The most humbly, O Lord, that Thy boundless mercy may give the Holy Roman Church a Bishop whose loving care in our regard will always be pleasing to Thee, and by his beneficent rule will alwyas give glory to Thy name and be deeply honored by Thy people." "O Lord, let the marvelous grace of Thy Majesty gladen us by granting us a supreme Pontiff, who shall instruct Thy people in virtue and fill the hearts of Thy people with the fragrance of spiritual odors. Who livest etc..." "In Thy abundant goodness, O Lord, grant unto us, that the sacred gifts which we reverently offer Thee make us rejoice that a Pontiff, pleasing to Thy Majesty, presides over the government of our Holy Mother Church. Through our Lord..etc." "Bretheren: Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4, 16; 5 1-7)
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