This afternoon the conclave summoned to elect the next Pope, met in the Sistine Chapel and the first ballot has already taken place. We do not know with certainty how long this conclave will be in session. Theoretically it run on for an indefinite period of time, although experience would appear to indicate that it may be a matter of days rather than weeks. We could, quite conceivably, have a new Pope by Thursday or Friday. Unlike last time, there is no clear front runner on this occasion and the papacy has an equal chance of going either to an Italian cardinal (of which there are several) or someone from outside Europe. Our regret is that following the unhappy business of Cardinal O Brien's resignation and his entirely proper decision not to take part in the conclave, Great Britain will not be represented.
Whoever the next Pope is, he will an unenviable task before him. The Catholic Church's record on child protection has been found wanting and there will be fall out from that for some time to come. Matters are being put right - to the extent that they can be put right - but it is rather akin to closing the stable door when the horse has bolted. The church's ban on artificial contraception is widely ignored by otherwise loyal and obedient Catholics. Given that it has failed to to command the consent of the faithful and cannot realistically be enforced, a wise Pope will do well to revisit the question. Indeed the 'sinfulness' of any sexual act which is not open to procreation is a matter which will have to be revisited - sooner rather than later. There is pressure to end the ancient requirement for clerical celibacy which, whilst having some advantages, probably causes more problems than it solves. We dare to hope that the new Pope will be open on the ecumenical stage and that the ban on intercommunion - a high price to pay for the preservation of an ideal - might be lifted in his time. Most significantly of all, the new Pope, will have to accept that Europe is no longer the geographical heart of the Catholic Church and hasn't been for some time. Above all, the world will need a man of prayer, goodwill and common sense. May it be so.
Whoever the next Pope is, he will an unenviable task before him. The Catholic Church's record on child protection has been found wanting and there will be fall out from that for some time to come. Matters are being put right - to the extent that they can be put right - but it is rather akin to closing the stable door when the horse has bolted. The church's ban on artificial contraception is widely ignored by otherwise loyal and obedient Catholics. Given that it has failed to to command the consent of the faithful and cannot realistically be enforced, a wise Pope will do well to revisit the question. Indeed the 'sinfulness' of any sexual act which is not open to procreation is a matter which will have to be revisited - sooner rather than later. There is pressure to end the ancient requirement for clerical celibacy which, whilst having some advantages, probably causes more problems than it solves. We dare to hope that the new Pope will be open on the ecumenical stage and that the ban on intercommunion - a high price to pay for the preservation of an ideal - might be lifted in his time. Most significantly of all, the new Pope, will have to accept that Europe is no longer the geographical heart of the Catholic Church and hasn't been for some time. Above all, the world will need a man of prayer, goodwill and common sense. May it be so.