Conclave

The conclave has begun.

As I write the Cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church are meeting elect the successor to

Pope Francis and the latest successor to the See of Rome. This is a huge moment in the life of Christianity throughout the world. Will the Cardinals choose a modernist and modernizer or a traditionalist? A "liberal" or a “conservative"? It will  be interesting to see how it plays out. I doubt that it will be a quick decision. (As of the second day of the conclave it has only been black smoke).

For Episcopalians and other American Anglicans, the conclave is intriguing in the way the election is conducted. We, customarily, elect our bishops in our synods and conventions with later consent by

various methods and ecclesiastical bodies. At these elections, we allow our laity to be involved in the choice, including serving as members of search committees, nominations organizations, and as voting members of the synod/convention.  The conclave precludes any decision makers save for those Cardinals who have been given a vote. I do not make a claim to which system produces the best outcome, but simply note the reality.

Again, as an Anglican, I desire God’s will to be done in the Papal election as it will determine the

direction of The Catholic Church for the not just the near future, but potentially for generations. This will impact not just my RC family, friends, and local parishes, but ecumenical relations and discussion. Will we see further agreements that build on those that have occurred in the past. In a sense, where Rome goes theologically, liturgically, and on social issues, there come reactions from the other communions, either aligning with the largest communion or standing plainly in distinction, or even conflict with, Rome. Rome will be seen, depending on other commitments, as an enemy or an ally.

I am reminded, though, of two quotes from early Anglican history (at least early in terms of the

Reformation):

"...the Bishop of Rome hath no jurisdiction in this Realm of England"—Articles of Religion XXXVII.

“…from the tyranny of the bishop of Rome and all his detestable enormities.... Good Lord deliver us."-Great Litany 1544.

Of course, gone are the days where Anglian prayed against the Bishop of Rome, and thank God for that. However, as Anglicans we should remember that he does not have authority over our own bishop, nor do we believe that he holds supreme religious power. Yet, whoever is elected will still be the Bishop of Rome and heir to that Apostolic See held by St. Peter himself, and should be honored as such, despite not sharing communion, even if we share the same essential theology.

And so, we pray for his election, and we pray for him in his office, even if he is not our "Papa"/Pope. We also honor him as the "Patriarch of the West", since the Church of Rome, as it was once styled, is

one of the five historic Patriarchates *, and its bishop was often a hedge against heresy and a defender of orthodoxy amid the great Christological controversies of the first eight centuries.

My prayer during the conclave is that the Church of Rome will be given a Pope, Bishop, Patriarch in the mold of Ss. Sylvester I, Julius I, Leo the Great, Gregory the Great, and Martin I. These great heroes of the Faith deserve an heir that would build on their solid foundation.

*The recognized historic Patriarchates are: Antioch, Rome, Alexandria, Constantinople, and Jerusalem.

UPDATE:  Cardinal Robert Prevost, an American with Peruvian citizenship, has been elected by the conclave.  He has taken the name Leo XIV.  I am sure the internet will make all sorts of judgments, pronouncements, and predictions about the direction his papacy will take, let us not rush to do so, but pray for him and our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters.