Electing the Pope is a study in secrecy. A two-thirds plus one majority is required in this conclave. [ A conclave is a meeting of the College of Cardinals, convened to elect a new Bishop of Rome, known as the Pope.] The election is well-guarded. The 115 voting cardinals are in lock-down inside the Sistine Chapel. No newspapers, televisions, radios or publications are allowed.
Prior to the first day of this election, a mass was held for the electors. Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals, said in his homily, "Each of us is therefore called to cooperate with the Successor of Peter, the visible foundation of such an ecclesial unity." He said the job of the pope is to be merciful, charitable and "tirelessly promote justice and peace."
Sister Mary Ann Walsh, spokeswoman for the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, expressed concern on her account saying: "In this electronic age, I worry some cardinals may go into iPad and Twitter withdrawal." (AFP)
Woman have served in a variety of roles within the history of the Catholic church. As nuns or religious sisters, they may not be ordained as priests (or bishops.) Hum?
Scott P. Richert, writing for ask.com, stated,"At the most basic level, the answer to the question is simple: The New Testament priesthood is the priesthood of Christ Himself. All men who, through the Sacrament of Holy Orders, have become priests (or bishops) participate in Christ's priesthood. And they participate in it in a very special way: They act in persona Christi Capitis, in the person of Christ, the Head of His Body, the Church."
All the 115 cardinals are, on this Day 2, meeting to discuss and vote for the next Pope. All men,Sister Maria Barbagallo, as the General Superior of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, explains, "If I had been able to talk during the congregations, I would have said that women are essential to the new evangelization started by Benedict XVI." She adds: "We feel we are a living part of the Church even when our role is recognized. Women are freer from powers and special interests. We do not chase after positions of power". In fact, "our service to the Church is qualified but not self-interested: I would have wanted to say to the Cardinals that women in the Church can do more". Not only at the pastoral level, in preaching and charity, but also at the decision-making level. "We can bring Evangelical ferment with a female sensibility in order to intuit the spirit of the times".
There have been 4 woman Doctors of the church, a Nobel Peace prize winner in Mother Teressa and there are female saints.Religious vocations for women have been declining in Europe, Oceania and America. However, an increase in vocation has been seen in Asia and Africa. The year 2012 saw 721,935 professed religious women.
Brookfieldians, what is your take on this topic...???
