In a few weeks there will be a new Bishop of Rome. In English speaking countries he will be referred to as the Pope. Most speakers of English will have no idea that the word pope is merely is a mispronunciation of the Italian word for father, the Father, Il Papa. In many families where English is spoken small children ask for papa's guidance all the time.
More
mysterious is the business of Papal names. Why is it that Albino Luciani goes
into the Conclave and, upon election, comes out John Paul I?
The
Papal names have meanings, are symbolic and transmit expressions of the faith
and the thinking of those who bear the weight of history. The names can tell us
indirectly and to some small extent the direction towards which the new Pontiff
may be looking.
Here is
my subjective, personal review of some possibilities for the next Bishop of Rome.
I am interested in your thoughts, comments and critiques of my list. The names are in no particular order. For sure let me know if I got the numbering wrong.
Let me know your favorite name and why
1.
Peter II Not likely; too much baggage (The "Prophecies" of Saint Malachy)
and the air of presumption (Tu es Petrus) unimaginable in this gathering of
Cardinal-bishops and Cardinal-priests. For some reason, the odds-makers think I
am totally uniformed as they have set the current odds for the
name Peter for the next Pope at 1/1, not going to happen - bet on it, even
odds.
2.
Leo XIV At 14 to 1, Leo is a good bet for
a Latin American Pope, or non European Cardinal. For that matter Leo XIV is a
good choice for any strong determined Roman Bishop, just look at Leo I, the
Great. The last Leo, number XIII, is "known for intellectualism,the development of social teachings with his encyclical Rerum Novarum and his attempts to define the position of the Churchwith regard to modern thinking." Such a choice would send strong
message about future roles of the Church in the 21st century specifically aimed
at the needs of the 99%.
3.
John Paul III A
reasonable choice and most likely for a new Pope who will not try to rock the Church, who will toe
the line and do the hard work necessary to carry on Vatican II.
4.
Paul VII Reasonable
choice for the Arch-bishop of Milan if elected. Paul VI was the hard working determined
manager of Vatican II and one time Cardinal from Milan.
5.
Victor IV Great
name for a non European choice especially for an African Pope. Victor I, among
his many accomplishments, was instrumental in confirming the "practice of alwayscelebrating Easter on Sunday."
6.
Benedict XVII Possible,
but I think not likely. The renunciation/resignation/abdication controversy
which swirls around the present Pontiff may preclude many from selecting the
name Benedict XVII. That said there is much good will and respect for the
current holder of the Pope and there may be an inclination to show a
continuation of his policies. I suspect that a new name will allow some of the
challenges attached to his reign to be subordinated to the novelty of a new
pastor.
7.
Sylvester IV Not likely though good name for
European (French cardinal perhaps reflecting to the re-invigoration of the
church in the late 10th century under Sylvester II, one time teacher of an
emperor and Archbishop of Rhiems)
8.
Stephen XI/XII Not
likely given not only the minor problem of the numbering of Popes named Stephen,
but the possible and inevitable rise of the specter of the Cadaver Synodhttp://www.law.uga.edu/dwilkes_more/his31_cadaver.html
of Pope Stephen VI/VII.
9.
Pius XIII The
election of very conservative or a very progressive Cardinal might find this
wonderful name used. The former to send a signal; the latter to cover an only-Nixon-can-go-to-China
possibility. The name Pius could provide some historic cover for a Pope
determined to preserve the Church as is, or to bring change.
10. Gregory
XVII Comes with historic baggage
including the resignation controversy as well as the attempt to ban trains in
the 18th century by another Pope Gregory. Pope Gregory XVI ensured that the
Church would not soon elect a monk as Patriarch of the West.
11. John
XXIV Good choice
for a young dynamic Cardinal who grew up in a Vatican II church and is ready to
move forward...there is a wee bit of chaos surrounding the numbering of the
Popes John as there was never a John XX and the first John XXIII, Baldassarre
Cossa, of who it is said was an "undeniably secular andambitious, his moral life was not above reproach, and his unscrupulous methodsin no wise accorded with the requirements of his high office ... the heinouscrimes of which his opponents in the council accused him were certainly gravelyexaggerated."
12. Clement
XV Nice choice for a
Pope who promises to hold the line whatever that may be. The last Clement went
after the Jesuits with such vigor that a Lutheran princess turned Orthodox
Autocrat had to shelter them from his wrath of a Franciscan.
13. Innocent
XIV Not likely - too much
opportunity for lampooning in an English speaking world.
14. Eugene
V An excellent
choice to signal a renewal of ecumenical collaborations with Orthodoxy and the
rest of Christendom, this name will most likely remain unused.
15. Boniface
X Not likely, but
interesting choice based on the Latin meaning of the name - doer of good, which
by the way is what Eugene sort of means in Greek. Boniface VIII's action
concerning his predecessor who resigned also reduce the probability that we
shall have a Boniface the Tenth.
16. Mark
II An
interesting possibility that might be interpreted as a return to Apostolic
traditions and pastoral mission.
17. Alexander
IX Not likely for
historical baggage, unless some connection to family, saint or mentor.
18. Sixtus
(Xystus) VI A great choice if the
intent is to restructure the bureaucracy of and administration of the Church, but
difficult choice in the age of twitter - Sixtus the Sixth does not roll of the
tongue easily for the denizens of the internet and factoid news.
19. Urban
IX Would perhaps
send interestingly conflicting messages about religion and science given the
last Pope Urban was the Friend and Silencer of Galileo...the name itself means
of the city, think urbane, and could send a unifying message to the congregations
of an urbanizing world.
20. Julius
IV Not likely
even though Julius II is a personal favorite of mine.
21. Felix
V Unlikely choice...means
happy in Latin, and might make sense if Latin were still taught in the land of
Twitter and Nod, but alas only thoughts of a cat are likely to arise.
22. Celestine VI As unlikely as Peter II or for that matter Boniface IX see above. Celestine V's attempt at abdication or resignation turned out poorly for him; others of that named died soon after election of natural causes it is presumed.
23. Nicholas VI Not likely, in fact highly improbable in an English speaking world where every December confusion on twitter is likely to ensue
24. Linus II Steve comments (and makes a good point) that "A pope who calls himself Linus II is likely to shake things up, and start over from the beginning."
25. Callixtus IV Also spelled in Callistus, the dual spelling is enough to assign this name a very low probablity. The fact that nothing explicitedly relevant to our problems today (such as teaching Emperors their place in the universe, or qualifications of schismatics needed to return) lowers the potential for this name to nigh unto zero.
22. Celestine VI As unlikely as Peter II or for that matter Boniface IX see above. Celestine V's attempt at abdication or resignation turned out poorly for him; others of that named died soon after election of natural causes it is presumed.
23. Nicholas VI Not likely, in fact highly improbable in an English speaking world where every December confusion on twitter is likely to ensue
24. Linus II Steve comments (and makes a good point) that "A pope who calls himself Linus II is likely to shake things up, and start over from the beginning."
25. Callixtus IV Also spelled in Callistus, the dual spelling is enough to assign this name a very low probablity. The fact that nothing explicitedly relevant to our problems today (such as teaching Emperors their place in the universe, or qualifications of schismatics needed to return) lowers the potential for this name to nigh unto zero.
There are of course many others like Hadrian (Adrian), Anacletus, Zephyrinus and Hilarius II,
perhaps even Telesphorus the Second.
If your favorite is not on here let me know what it is and why it should be..
Nota bene: Some related subject matter sites of interest
Nota bene: Some related subject matter sites of interest
3 comments:
How about Linus II, after the first successor to Peter. Because here's what the original Linus is most remembered for:
“Saint Linus [as a bishop in Gaul] one day attempted to turn some of those away from the celebration of a festival in honor of their gods, telling them that these idols were but statues without breath or sentiment, and represented only human beings whose vices were public knowledge. He exhorted them to turn to the unique God, Creator of the heavens and the earth, to whom alone man owes the homage of sacrifice. A prodigy followed his words; a column of their temple crumbled and caused the fall of an idol, which broke into a thousand pieces.”
A pope who calls himself Linus II is likely to shake things up, and start over from the beginning.
How about Linus II, after the first successor to Peter. Because here's what the original Linus is most remembered for:
“Saint Linus [as a bishop in Gaul] one day attempted to turn some of those away from the celebration of a festival in honor of their gods, telling them that these idols were but statues without breath or sentiment, and represented only human beings whose vices were public knowledge. He exhorted them to turn to the unique God, Creator of the heavens and the earth, to whom alone man owes the homage of sacrifice. A prodigy followed his words; a column of their temple crumbled and caused the fall of an idol, which broke into a thousand pieces.”
A pope who calls himself Linus II is likely to shake things up, and start over from the beginning.
Il Papa Anonimo Primo! ("Aspettano da noi.")
Post a Comment