Black smoke billowed out of the Sistine Chapel today signaling that the Conclave will continue. I am anxiously awaiting those white puffs. I converted to Catholicism a few years ago. While I take issue with a few things, I take the faith seriously and love its beautiful traditions. I think I owe that to Father Brinkman, an educator who made Catechism so interesting to me. As someone who married into the faith I was a bit skeptical and needed to fully understand the faith. While I continue to have questions, a lot of the mystery has been uncovered.
So I am watching the princes in Vatican City. Inside the walls made beautiful by Michelangelo these cardinals will determine the direction of the church by the selection they make. They will do this secretly. It is this secrecy that, while necessary in this case, led to the biggest scandal that the Catholic Church has ever seen. The new Pope must be able to get his church in order. They must make a statement with this decision.
This is why I’m praying that the new pontiff is the people’s pope like John Paul, knows the history like Benedict, and has the ability to manage the church like no one before him. He must step into the 21st century while holding on to the traditional beliefs of Catholicism. Offenders must be stopped and made to suffer the consequences of their actions and victims must be protected, as should the church. The only way to do this is to stop the secrecy in this regard. Return our faith to being revered and respected.
I implore them not to choose according to geography. I couldn’t care less if he is from a third world country, Europe, or the US. He needs only to love the people, know the word, and be prepared to reform the church.
Vote on, Cardinals! Vote on…May God be with you!
