So I just
woke up to the news that Francis died earlier today. The search for a new Pope
begins, if indeed it has not already been going on for some time.
I pray
that the world receives a strong, faithful man. In these evil and confused times
we need a strong, faithful man to lead the Church. Not one who will water down
Catholic teaching, will sacrifice Truth in the service of a cheap Mercy, will speak
one thing and do its opposite. We need a valiant defender of the Truths set
forth in the teachings and example of Jesus Christ, and those revealed by the
Holy Spirit to the Church, the mystical body of Christ, these past twenty
centuries.
Unfortunately,
from what I’ve read (and it seems sadly logical to me), the influence of McCarrick
is everywhere in the Vatican and the College of Cardinals. Francis did appoint 163
cardinals during his twelve-year reign, out of 252, or just under two-thirds of
its current membership. These are the men who will select the next ruler of the
Church, and again unfortunately, it seems likely each would be of similar mind
to Francis’s and hold similar beliefs. However, their decisions are guided by the Holy Spirit,
so our prayers for a holy leader should continue every day until the white
smoke is released from the Vatican chimneys.
O God,
eternal shepherd,
Who governs
Your flock with unfailing care,
Grant
in Your boundless fatherly love
A pastor
for Your Church
Who
will please You by his holiness
And to
us show watchful care.
Through
our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Who
lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
(Personal
note: The upcoming papal election will result in the sixth Pope during my
lifetime, though I only remember four: John Paul I, John Paul II, Benedict, and
Francis. I was too young to remember Paul VI. The only thing I remember of the
first John Paul, who reigned a mere 33 days, was my father’s comment, “Well, I
guess God wasn’t too happy with him.” But six popes … boy and I getting old …)
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