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RunsLikeAGirl
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Joined: 01 Apr 2003
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Location: Upstate.
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 Posted: 04/01/05 - 14:56 Post subject: Pope question
Let me preface this by giving my sincere condolances to his followers and supporters.
My question: Why is the pope not allowed to "retire?" I think it's a shame that his entire medical history is all over the world news - the man is OLD, let him die in peace. Also, it's a fact that many people lose some mental prowess in addition to physical prowess when they age - shouldn't there be some provision to allow for the removal from office of one so influential in such a case? I just don't feel one can fulfill the duties of his office when one has the amount of health difficulties the pope has. Perhaps there is one and I'm just not aware.
Again, I mean no disrespect.
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runswithscissors
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Posted: 04/01/05 - 15:06 Post subject:
I don't know enough about how this all works, but is there a chance they are having troubles finding a worthy successor and that's why they have been 'hanging on' to him as long as they have?
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keltic63
the kilted one
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Posted: 04/01/05 - 15:19 Post subject:
I believe the Pope could indeed remove himself (retire) but it's not likely since the common belief is that the Pope is God's representative on earth; it's a lifetime position. Because of his authority, no one can effectively start a holy "coup" even if it appears he has become senile. As far as the selection of the next pope, He will be chosen from the group of 120-130 Cardinals in office now. They will go into a "conclave" and vote twice daily until there is unanimous agreement. sort of a lottery to discover God's chosen one...........
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runswithscissors
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Posted: 04/01/05 - 15:47 Post subject:
Thanks, keltic. I always wondered exactly how they chose the position. Sorry to pose another probably silly question here, but can anyone tell me how many years JPII has been Pope?
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cherylpf
crazy cat lady
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Posted: 04/01/05 - 15:58 Post subject:
| runswithscissors wrote: | | Thanks, keltic. I always wondered exactly how they chose the position. Sorry to pose another probably silly question here, but can anyone tell me how many years JPII has been Pope? |
Since 1978
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runswithscissors
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Posted: 04/01/05 - 17:07 Post subject:
| cherylpf wrote: |
Since 1978 |
That's a pretty lengthy term. I guess I was under the impression that he hadn't been Pope for quite that long and wondered why they wouldn't search out someone younger.
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Cappy
Excelent
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Location: Spreadsheetylvania
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Posted: 04/01/05 - 17:33 Post subject:
According to the Code of Canon Law, the pope may retire."If it should happen that the Roman Pontiff resigns his office, it is required for validity that he makes the resignation freely and that it be duly manifested, but not that it be accepted by anyone" (Canon 332, No. 2)
but it is expected that he remains Pope until his death
There has been a few pope who have resigned.
http://www.catholicherald.com/saunders/05ws/ws050303.htm
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camelia bedelia
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Posted: 04/01/05 - 18:43 Post subject:
| runswithscissors wrote: | | Thanks, keltic. I always wondered exactly how they chose the position. |
Well, the way I learned it in school, was that all the Cardinals got together and waited until God directed who should be Pope and then they sent up the white smoke. The way I see it now - politics.
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copteacher
Adjunct
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Joined: 08 Jun 2002
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Location: Teaching in the Halls of Justice
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Posted: 04/01/05 - 23:00 Post subject:
| camelia bedelia wrote: |
Well, the way I learned it in school, was that all the Cardinals got together and waited until God directed who should be Pope and then they sent up the white smoke. The way I see it now - politics. |
it is all politics, but that is different than the topic of this thread. Please keep threads on topic
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prohemp
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Posted: 04/01/05 - 23:02 Post subject:
| camelia bedelia wrote: |
Well, the way I learned it in school, was that all the Cardinals got together and waited until God directed who should be Pope and then they sent up the white smoke. The way I see it now - politics. |
If the Cardinals vote and do not reach a decision, they burn the ballets with straw and that sends up black smoke - when they vote and a new pope is determined they burn the ballets without straw and that sends up the white smoke (I think)
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camelia bedelia
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Posted: 04/02/05 - 11:30 Post subject:
| prohemp wrote: |
If the Cardinals vote and do not reach a decision, they burn the ballets with straw and that sends up black smoke - when they vote and a new pope is determined they burn the ballets without straw and that sends up the white smoke (I think) |
Yup. Though I think they now put something in the straw to make sure it is black.
RWS asked a question about how the Pope was chosen and I answered. We have to have a least some room here to dicuss things that are directly related to the orignial question or we'll have a million threads on the same general topic.
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Pug
The Movie Geek
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Posted: 04/02/05 - 15:45 Post subject:
| camelia bedelia wrote: |
Well, the way I learned it in school, was that all the Cardinals got together and waited until God directed who should be Pope and then they sent up the white smoke. The way I see it now - politics. |
I suspect it was always fairly political in how the internal voting and deciding worked. I think it's called Conclave or something.
Randy,
I heard on the radio last night that JPII's tenure as the pontiff has been the third longest in history. Makes sense since it is often an older man who is appointed to the office.
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prohemp
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Posted: 04/02/05 - 16:15 Post subject:
| Pug wrote: |
Randy,
I heard on the radio last night that JPII's tenure as the pontiff has been the third longest in history. Makes sense since it is often an older man who is appointed to the office. |
......and the first non italian in over 400 years
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cherylpf
crazy cat lady
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Posted: 04/03/05 - 12:28 Post subject:
| prohemp wrote: |
......and the first non italian in over 400 years |
I think that shows there has always been politics in the selection of the pope.
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MechEngDropout
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Posted: 04/03/05 - 13:59 Post subject:
| cherylpf wrote: |
I think that shows there has always been politics in the selection of the pope. |
Or at the very least, it shows how traditional and non-progressive the church can be. Traditional isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I think it really hurts the image.
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