Date set for conclave to elect new Pope
The conclave to elect a new Pope is to start in Rome on Wednesday 7 May. The date was set at a meeting of cardinals yesterday, most of whom – 135 – are under the age of 80 and therefore allowed to vote. They will meet in closed session in the Sistine chapel, where they will remain removed from external influence, until they agree on a candidate. The process, dramatised in the film ‘Conclave’ and outlined by Vatican News, has lasted just two days in recent times, with cardinals voting in a secret ballot, sometimes four times a day until consensus is reached, with white smoke indicating a decision has been made. But the groundwork of this formal process has already begun in Rome, with informal meetings among cardinals, many of whom are recently appointed and some of whom have never met before.
Betting odds favour Cardinal Parolin
The world’s biggest bookmaker, William Hill, reports that Cardinal Pietro Parolin, 70, Vatican Secretary of State, is the front runner. He is followed by Cardinal Luis Tagle, 67, often called the “Asian Pope Francis”; Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, 69,head of the Italian Bishops’ Conference; and Cardinal Peter Turkson, 76, from Ghana.
How US ‘Maga Catholics’ are lobbying to influence the conclave’s vote
A report in The Guardian says American conservative Catholics, known as “Maga Catholics”, are lobbying to ensure the church is pushed to the right, after Pope Francis’ death, with a more rigid traditionalist path. It quotes Massimo Faggioli, a professor of religious studies at Villanova University, saying the Vatican needs “American money and American influence”. The report includes an interview with Trump supporter Steve Bannon, who is quoted saying he intends to organize a “show of force of traditionalists” with confrontational “wall-to-wall” media coverage. He said Pope Francis’ “reign of terror has been nothing short of disastrous. And that’s why you’re having a massive reaction, particularly in North America, where he rejuvenated the traditional church here.” The preferred traditionalist candidates are said to be retired Cardinals Raymond Burke and Gerhard Müller, Péter Erdő of Budapest and Robert Sarah of Guinea.
Cardinal Becciu’s participation in election is unresolved
It’s reported that Cardinal Angelo Becciu, who is appealing his conviction on fraud related charges at the Vatican, is voluntarily ruling himself out of voting at the conclave. The Vatican however, has said the issue is not resolved. AP reports that “Becciu’s participation or lack thereof could invalidate the election”. Story here
Other news
Prominent activist cleric arrested for praying in the US Capitol Rotunda
The Rev William Barber, prominent US activist and co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign, was arrested with two others, as he prayed in the US Capitol Rotunda. Jack Jenkins, a journalist with the Religion News Service, was there as police moved in and expelled everyone gathered round including the press. He reported that the three took turns praying, lamenting the impact of budget cuts and proclaiming God’s love, mercy and truth, at which point they were handcuffed and led away. William Barber frequently delivers sermons in the open air outside the Capitol building, preaching on Christian obligations to relieve poverty. Full report is here
Martin Luther King campaign church severely damaged by fire
The Clayborn Temple, a historic Black church in downtown Memphis central to Martin Luther King Jr.’s campaign in 1968, has been severely damaged by fire, to the extent that fire chiefs say they are only “somewhat hopeful” that some of the façade can be saved. It had been undergoing a $25 million restoration project to include a museum and cultural facilities. The Associated Press reports that in February 1968 nightly campaign meetings were held there and it was an assembly point for marches to City Hall. In one rally, marchers retreated to the Temple and police fired tear gas inside. People broke some of the stained-glass windows to escape. AP report here
UK dignitaries mark liberation of Bergen Belsen concentration camp
Holocaust survivors Mala Tribich, Susan Pollack, Peter Lantos and Alfred Harwood, joined the Chief Rabbi and civic dignatries at a ceremony at the Bergen Belsen memorial in Germany yesterday, marking 80 years since the camp’s liberation by British forces. Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, and Defence Minister Lord Coaker laid wreaths. The Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said the place represented hell on earth and recalled a previous visit with the Queen, for whom this was her only visit to a concentration camp, and how afterwards she was stunned into silence.
Church services, prayers and bell ringing on 80th anniversary of VE Day
The Church of England is providing resources and encouraging parishes to arrange acts of commemoration and prayer on the 80th anniversary of VE Day, on Thursday 8 May. A key moment will be the ringing of church and cathedral bells at 6.30pm on VE Day, echoing the same moment 80 years ago. A statement says worship resources are available to assist clergy and lay leaders in planning special acts of worship, including prayers for peace and space to light a virtual candle online to honour loved ones who were part of the war effort. Churches offering these services will tag them on the website AChurchNearYou.com, so that members of the public can find them easily.
New Lords’ role for Bishop of Manchester
The Bishop of Manchester, David Walker, has been appointed the new “Convenor of the Lords Spiritual”. He succeeds the Bishop of St Albans, Alan Smith, who retires at the end of May. The convenor liaises between the bishops in the Lords and party leaders, officials and peers.
