Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - April 10, 2005, Winnipeg, Manitoba National archives of Canada / Canadian press w Winnipeg f ree p rests Undayag pril 10, 2005 perspective b3 by Laurie Goodstein and Daniel j. Wakin r ome the roman Catholic cardinals will take an oath of secrecy when they enter the conclave to elect the next Pope but in the week since John Paul iils death Many have been publicly dropping hints about what kind of Man the Church now needs. The enormous outpouring of affection for John Paul has clearly had an Impact on their thinking. Many of the prelates said in noticeably similar language that the next Pope must above All be a communicator who can sustain the grassroots enthusiasm especially among youth that was generated by John Paul. With All but three of the 117 Cardina electors selected by him it is highly unlikely that the new Pope will depart from John Paulus conservatism on contraception divorce women priests or the Range of what the Church considers to be Sanctity of life issues from Stem cell research to abortion and euthanasia. Before the Popes death Many cardinals and commentators said a decisive Factor would be geography whether the next Pope should come from Europe where the Church is shrinking or from latin America Africa or parts of Asia where the Church is experiencing often uncontrolled growth. Instead they say they Are looking for someone who can project Universal Appeal with a personal humility and pastoral presence that embodies the message of the gospel As they say John Paul did. It is not Many cardinals said in interviews that they must choose a great orator. He does not have to be John Paul ii and have the same fingerprints said Cardinal j. Francis Stafford formerly the archbishop of Denver and now a High ranking Vatican official. He just has to be his authentic self. And if they see hers authentic that hers honest and they will see that thatus All they need. He will Lead them to Christ and thatus All thatus necessary. Stafford and others spoke before yesterday when Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro Valls announced the cardinals had decided unanimously to avoid interviews and Contact with the Media whose members were invited to abstain from seeking out comment. The cardinals have been meeting daily As a body since John Paul died. The cardinals have begun a period of More intense silence and prayer in the face of the conclave he said. The conclave begins on april 18. The men who will elect one of their own to be the Leader of a Church of More than a billion people make up the most ethnically and geographically diverse College of cardinals in history thanks to the Effort by John Paul to increase the number of non italians. Twenty one come from latin America one of the worlds fastest growing Catholic zones giving it one More than the traditional Power Italy. Haemorrhaging the United states and Canada have 14 Africa and Asia each has 11 Europe where in some countries the Church is Haemorrhaging the faithful has 58. The youngest Cardinal elector is 52 years old the oldest turns 80 in june. They Are roughly divided Between those who work in the Vatican curia carrying out the business of the Church and those who serve As archbishops tending to catholics on the local level. There Are distinct differences of demographics but also of the themes they want the next Pope to stress As he carries out his Public ministry. Several cardinals have indicated a Strong desire for an archbishop Cardinal. I would Hope his focus would be on local communities of Faith Cardinal Edward m. Egan of new York said. The Parish is the Central unit that must be served. More than at past conclave the closed door meeting in the sistine Chapel where the cardinals will vote this one has an unusually Large number of Pap Abili the italian word to describe those with papal potential. The cardinals Are Loath to mention names. From the comments of Many the Field genuinely seems to be wide open. But by describing the qualities they desire educated guesses can be made about serious contenders always with the often repeated caveat about conclave go in a Pope come out a Cardinal. One Man who fits Many of the current criteria is Cardinal Dionigi Tettamanzi the archbishop of Milan. He reminds Many italian catholics of an earlier much beloved Pope John Xxiii with his Short and fat appearance and his warmth. One Factor mentioned As desirable on the next Popes Agenda is to continue forging closer ties with other religions and other Christian denominations. You dont want a clash of religions said Cardinal Avery Dulles a professor at Fordham University and a highly respected theologian who is now too old to vote. He identified ecumenism As one of two priorities for the next Pope along with pushing Forward with John Paulus Effort to evangelize in the West. On a practical level candidacies will be pushed by what Are known among Vatican watchers As grand electors influential cardinals who can Sway votes or at the least Are looked to for guidance. They tend to be prominent members of Vatican congregations where they meet other cardinals or frequent travellers or men who by sheer Force of intellect and personality Are Given weight. The issues on the minds of catholics who would like to see their Church liberalize its position on contraception divorce or women priests Are not under discussion the cardinals said in interviews. This does not preclude the possibility that the next Pope could eventually Lead the Church to adopt some new interpretation on Church traditions but where an Issue is considered a matter of doctrine it is highly unlikely to change. For instance a reporter asked Cardinal Francis George of Chicago in a news conference whether the Church would consider approving the use of condoms to prevent aids in places like hard hit african nations. Your solution is to exterminate the poor he said. The doctrine of the Church Isnit going to change and so you work with it As Best As you can. Pope Paul i reinforced the churches ban on artificial contraception in his encyclical humane Vitae. Need communicator despite the growing consensus that they need a communicator theress always a Chance that other factors will significantly Sway the cardinals Choice. They May opt for an older interim figure someone who would help the Church pause for breath in the aftermath of one of history is longest and most eventful pontificates. A candidate for that role would be Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger who worked closely with John Paul for 24 years As the chief overseer of Church theology and is deeply respected for his learning and decisiveness. He is also the Dean of the cardinals effectively their chairman and guiding Force. But old age May Hurt. Ratzinger turned 78 yesterday. This is a very Strong personality of great intelligence Faith and openness Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski told Reuters. The problem is his advanced age. Perhaps a Young vigorous Man would be attractive after so Many years of the world seeing an increasingly ailing John Paul. The viennese archbishop Christoph Schonborn 60, fits that Bill. He is the fourth youngest of the cardinals and widely respected for being Learned and articulate. Then there is Region should the new Pope come from a developing country perhaps this line of reasoning goes the timing would be perfect for a Pope to address poverty just As the cold War demanded a Karol Wojtyla who became John Paul ii. Cardinal Francis Arinze of Nigeria who is also heavily involved in relations with muslims is a perennial Favourite. Perhaps none of this matters some cardinals suggested returning to the Charisma Issue. He has to be Able to communicate with Rich Young people in countries like the United states and France said Cardinal Philippe Barbarin of France. Then he needs to be Able to relate to the poor when he goes to places like Brazil or Morocco or Turkina faso. He has to be a person who can explain the gospels to every Type of audience. He has to really love his flock he has to understand their sufferings their difficulties. John Paul ii was that kind of Pope. He knew How to speak the language of the Young. New York times news service if they see hers authentic that hers honest. They will see that thatus All they need sixty years ago the allies Victory in the second world War in Europe was Only a few weeks away. Here is a look at the major events from april 10 16, 1945 april 10 u. S. Forces capture Hannover Germany. U. S. Bombers hit Berlin and destroy 397 enemy aircraft Many of them on the ground. April 11 or. Bela Fabian of the hungarian Independent democratic party says five million jews have been gassed and cremated at Auschwitz. U. S. Army liberates Buchenwald concentration Camp near Weimar. April 12 u. S. President Franklin d. Roosevelt Dies replaced by Harry Truman. Bitter Battle on japans Southern Okinawa Island goes into eighth Day As japanese planes renew suicide attacks on american forces. More than 1,000 German and dutch jews Are liberated by Canadian forces from a Camp near Weste Bork Holland. The Camp was used As a gathering place for jews including Anne Frank who were sent to death Camps farther East. April 13 russian Leader Josef Stalin announces the capture of Vienna. April 15 canadians reach North sea in Northern Holland. British forces liberate Bergen Belsen concentration Camp. April 16 German Garrison in Groningen Holland surrenders to 2nd Canadian division. Americans enter Nuremberg. Canadian press infantry of regiment de Maisonneuve moves through Holten to Tijssen the Netherlands april 9, 1945. Countdown to be Day u. S. Forces capture Hannover Germany 60 years ago today choosing a Pope for the people John Paul ii set a new Standard As cardinals elect the next pontiff Peter Dejong / associated press Michael Michari Cardinal kit Unchu of Thailand prepares for conclave. Andrew Menichini / associated press from left cardinals Cormac Murphy Oconnor Theodore Edgar Mccarrick Edward Egan and Justin Francis Rigali attend one of series of masses ;