Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Apocolips · 07-15-2003, 10:04 AM

Hola!

I am not Catholic, but am interested.

Let us say that a young man of 22, graduates from a fine Catholic seminary somewhere on Earth. This young man loves his Church and is devoted to it fully. So much so, that his desire above anything else is to the Pope!

What does he do to move up in the ranks of the Church to achieve this goal? Priest, Bishop, Archbishop, Cardinal, Pope? Are there priests with this ambition to become a Cardinal at least? How does one "move up the ranks" so to say in the Catholic church?

Also, when the Pope dies, each Cardinal is now a candidate for the top job. Each has an equal vote, and probably all of them want the job. So, what are the politicking that goes behind closed doors? I have read that once during the Middle Ages, that the Church stopped suppilying firewood to the place of voting, because the of the arguments and stalling. So what's up wth that?

Senor

PS Notre Dame should join the Big 10.

trillian · 07-15-2003, 10:19 AM

As far as I know (being raised a Catholic) the church works just like a major corporation at the lower levels, you get promoted based on performance/ability/connections. When it gets to the level of cardinal or pope it works more like the senate with internal political campaigns and voting. In the US Gov, not every polititian puts his/her hat in the race to be president and many don't even want to. Same goes with the cardinals.

trillian

Biff the unclean · 07-15-2003, 10:44 AM

His best bet would be to send $250 in check or money order for
BIFF's AT HOME PONTIFICAL STUDY GUIDE.
Yes with BIFF's you too can learn to pontificate (I do it all the time), run the Papal Bull, maintenance of Popemobiles, wearing a double crown in a breeze, and how to be infallible.
Act now and I'll include at no extra charge BIFF's FASHION ADVICE: What Accessories Go Best With Red Shoes.

Money back guarantee. If not absolutely enraptured return the product for a full refund BUT the diamond encrusted golden shepherds crook is yours to keep just for trying BIFF's AT HOME PONTIFICAL STUDY GUIDE.

Offer void where anathematized

Tom Sawyer · 07-15-2003, 12:15 PM

I was watching a story on CNN a couple of years ago about how they pick a new Pope. They said that one of the mian differences between that and other elections was that if a Cardinal made it known that he wanted to be the Pope, he would pretty much be disqualified since he would be seen as too proud to lead an organization that puts such a high value on humility (their words, not mine).

So basically, you have to let the other cardinals know that they should vote for you without saying that you actually think you're worthy to hold such an exhaulted position. Then if you win, you have to feign surprise that your peers actually thought you deserved this, but defer to their judgement and agree to serve as Pope even though you're far too humble to think that you actually merit the post.

For the lower levels, it's like anywhere else.

07-15-2003, 10:04 AM	#1
Apocolips Banned Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Hangzhou, China Posts: 2,402	Young priest wants to be pope, what does he do? Hola! I am not Catholic, but am interested. Let us say that a young man of 22, graduates from a fine Catholic seminary somewhere on Earth. This young man loves his Church and is devoted to it fully. So much so, that his desire above anything else is to the Pope! What does he do to move up in the ranks of the Church to achieve this goal? Priest, Bishop, Archbishop, Cardinal, Pope? Are there priests with this ambition to become a Cardinal at least? How does one "move up the ranks" so to say in the Catholic church? Also, when the Pope dies, each Cardinal is now a candidate for the top job. Each has an equal vote, and probably all of them want the job. So, what are the politicking that goes behind closed doors? I have read that once during the Middle Ages, that the Church stopped suppilying firewood to the place of voting, because the of the arguments and stalling. So what's up wth that? Senor PS Notre Dame should join the Big 10.

07-15-2003, 10:44 AM	#3
Biff the unclean Banned Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: an inaccessible island fortress Posts: 10,638	AS SEEN ON TV His best bet would be to send $250 in check or money order for BIFF's AT HOME PONTIFICAL STUDY GUIDE. Yes with BIFF's you too can learn to pontificate (I do it all the time), run the Papal Bull, maintenance of Popemobiles, wearing a double crown in a breeze, and how to be infallible. Act now and I'll include at no extra charge BIFF's FASHION ADVICE: What Accessories Go Best With Red Shoes. Money back guarantee. If not absolutely enraptured return the product for a full refund BUT the diamond encrusted golden shepherds crook is yours to keep just for trying BIFF's AT HOME PONTIFICAL STUDY GUIDE. Offer void where anathematized

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07-15-2003, 10:19 AM	#2
trillian Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: OC Posts: 1,620	As far as I know (being raised a Catholic) the church works just like a major corporation at the lower levels, you get promoted based on performance/ability/connections. When it gets to the level of cardinal or pope it works more like the senate with internal political campaigns and voting. In the US Gov, not every polititian puts his/her hat in the race to be president and many don't even want to. Same goes with the cardinals. trillian

07-15-2003, 12:15 PM	#4
Tom Sawyer Talk Freethought Staff Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Toronto, eh Posts: 42,293	I was watching a story on CNN a couple of years ago about how they pick a new Pope. They said that one of the mian differences between that and other elections was that if a Cardinal made it known that he wanted to be the Pope, he would pretty much be disqualified since he would be seen as too proud to lead an organization that puts such a high value on humility (their words, not mine). So basically, you have to let the other cardinals know that they should vote for you without saying that you actually think you're worthy to hold such an exhaulted position. Then if you win, you have to feign surprise that your peers actually thought you deserved this, but defer to their judgement and agree to serve as Pope even though you're far too humble to think that you actually merit the post. For the lower levels, it's like anywhere else.

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