Public Enemy must re-form and remix “Fight The Power” from their 1989 iconic CD “Fear of a Black Planet” and call it “Fear of a Black Pope.”
Almost every news story mentions that Cardinal Peter Turkson (below) from Ghana has a legitimate shot to become the church’s first black pope.
Seriously?
We know this will never happen in our lifetimes.
There is a greater chance that everyone in the Gaza Strip will convert to Judaism than there is for a black Pope in the Catholic Church.
And the Church should be ashamed of itself (even more than it currently is).
The same can be said for Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle from the Philippines and Cardinal Odilo Scherer of Brazil (though he has a million times better chance than the African or Asian candidates – who have zero chance).
At least Cardinal Scherer is the right color (German descent will do that for you).
All the speculation, all the drama this week will come down to nothing but a European Pope – most likely Italian – and that’s the reason the Church is in big trouble.
I have never seen such a complete and insane inability to think differently or of the future.
It’s stunning, frankly.
This unwillingness to adapt to changing times is what will eventually bring down the Church (if it hasn’t been brought down already).
As a a die-hard Cathlolic, this makes me sad.
All the excitement around this week in Rome with the Conclave and the white smoke (Is it white? Is it black? Is it green?) and the eventual Habemas Papam will lead to depression and criticism from all around the world.
And the Church will once again be stuck until the next Pope selection begins and the brief moments of hope we have before they name another European.
Ah, well… at least I am in Rome and I have wine, cheese and gelato.
Buona fortuna!
Dominic Lanza – Sr. Vatican Correspondent – Manka Faith God Blog
Yeah no black pope this time. There will be uproar but you’re right, it’s going to be Angelo Bagnasco.
It doesn’t really matter who is pope. As an atheist I do understand that religion serves a purpose. Religion provides comfort to many in a world torn by religion.
Hank you hit the nail on the head
What does the pope have to do with the teachings of Christ? He wears gold rings, has servants and people kissing his butt all day(literally). I claim no religion as my own, but this is as contradictory as you can possibly get.
I am a little more optimistic than you Dominic. Religions, almost all, are beautiful and respected as they represent man´s desire to aspire to something greater. Yes, religious institutions fail and are fraught with many inconsistencies, but that is the nature of man, both in its greatness to be divine and in its baseness in being just plain evil.
Wrong. The next pope will be North American or African. Too bad. What the next pope should be is YOUNG! Of course, if the holy spirit is really deciding, we may all be surprised by the choice!
Next Pope: Peter the Roman?
Tarcisio Pietro Evasio Cardinal Bertone from Romano Canavese, Piedmont.
Current title: Secretary of State and Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church
This post by Lanza is ridiculous.
To say the Church is racist just because it doesn’t choose a black Pope is silly, if not hateful and bigoted. The Church is *not* like the Democratic Party, which chooses people based on the color of their skin. The Church more closely follows the belief of MLK, Jr., that people should be recognized for “the content of their character, not the color of their skin.”
The Cardinals choose whom they feel is best for the job.
What kind of fantasy world are you living in, DPierre? If you think the conclave isn’t at all political and it’s just “may the best man win” – you are sadly mistaken and not living in reality.
What world, indeed? I am almost positive that if Peter Turkson was by far the most qualified of the Cardinals to become Pope, he would never get enough votes necessary because of the Church’s fear of change. I agree with Dominic – no black pope in our lifetime.
Alright, I ‘m psyched! It’s Pope bracketology again! March madness… can I find the official pope brackets on espn?
The Cardinals’ first requirement to save themselves and the flock is repentance. There is only one God; Jesus said, I and the Father are one. What God commanded through Moses is still the law of the Kingdom of God. When the voting is over, they pray they made the right choice. Amen.
Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:8-11 and Deuteronomy 5, and Leviticus 23 command the 7th day Sabbath of no work, Saturday. Jesus said, If you love me, keep my Father’s commandments.
God’s memorial of the crucifixion (Passover) is March 25 pm, with two holy Sabbaths; we can follow as Jesus said, live by every word out of the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4) In Luke 16:31 Jesus spoke of how to avoid going to fiery torments after death: “If they believe not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced though one rise from the dead.”)
The blood of Jesus only washes away sins that are forsaken with a desire to follow in truth as written. Deuteronomy 4:2 says not to add to nor diminish from God’s word. Christmas and Easter are forbidden; only what God commands is allowed. God commanded in all holy books to live by the law of God; He has prepared the way for the gathering of believers; they only need to be faithful, truly believe.
They have black smoke – but no black pope. Day 1 ends.
How much liquor you figure they have access to behind those closed doors?
umm. The Church has already had 3 Popes from Africa. Turkson would not be the first. Before writing a false article and looking looking foolish you should probably do at least 10 min of research first.
Oh, OK, dickwad – I guess I should have said since 496. How progressive. And did you see the pictures of those 3 “African Popes”? All white. Loser.
My money’s on an old white guy.