As the world awaits a smoke signal from the Sistine Chapel for the result from the second afternoon of the Conclave voting, a strange sight can be seen on the smokestack.
A seagull has been persistently perched on top of the temporary chimney on the Sistine Chapel. The seagull has remained there for over a half hour and caught the attention of the crowd in St. Peter's Square as well as the media.
The crowd that has been patiently waiting in the rain for Wednesday afternoon's results were entertained when two seagulls fought it out for the Petrine perch.
Usually the Holy Spirit is manifest as a dove, so it is unlikely to be a sign of the Trinity. More likely, this seagull is what Senator John McCain (R-AZ) might call a "Wacko Bird".
It is unclear what will happen when there is Holy Smoke signals.
Being a political animal, I first became familiar with St. Chad only after the contest Year 2000 Presidential elections, when hanging chads were the rage in Palm Beach County, Florida. Even though there is no Patron Saint of Disputed Elections, St. Chad of Mercia (England) offers a wonderful example of public service and humility. In the 7th Century AD, Chad was the abbot of several monasteries who was elevated to be Bishop of Northumbrian by King Oswiu. But when his appointment was disputed, the Archbishop of Canterbury asked Chad to step aside from his episcopacy. Chad complied with remarkable humility. As it is only the second day of Conclave 2013, it is unlikely that the College of Cardinals is deadlocked on voting for the next Supreme Pontiff. Still, St. Chad's example of humility and public service epitomizes the ideal of being elected the Servant of Servants of God.
Almighty God,
whose servant Chad, for the peace of the Church, relinquished cheerfully the
honors that had been thrust upon him, only to be rewarded with equal
responsibility: Keep us, we pray, from thinking of ourselves more highly than
we ought to think, and ready at all times to step aside for others, (in honor
preferring one another,) that the cause of Christ may be advanced; in the name
of him who washed his disciples' feet, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who
lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Even before the interregum began, Vatican watchers could not help but speculate who would become the sole Cardinal survivor who would become the Supreme Pontiff.
Choosing the next vicar is not decided by playing musical chairs in the Sistine Chapel or at a chatty Church “Tribal Council” but by prayerful discernment with the guidance of the Holy Spirit after interacting with their Cardinal colleagues.
Part of the reason for the General Congregations of the Cardinals in the Sede Vacante interregnum is so that fellow cardinals can informally acquaint themselves before going into the Conclave.
These informal judgments about character and virtue gleaned from coffee breaks and schmoozing can inform Cardinal-electors to their choice . Consider that as they cast each vote, they must swear an oath to vote for the vest man to lead the church as they as they stand before Michelangelo’s Last Judgment in the Sistine Chapel.
Now that the start of the Conclave has been set for Tuesday March 12, we ought to educate ourselves of potential pontiffs. While the faithful outside the College of Cardinals are neither privy to a Papabili’s piety nor their force of personality amongst equals, we can get a glimpse of their persona through quotes attributed to these Princes of the Church.
In furtherance of this understanding, here are a passel of Papabili. For those who appreciate hemaneutics, studying their heraldry along with their chosen mottoes might be revealing.
Note the San Marco lion and the ship on Archbishop Scola's crest--those are remnants from when the nine years when Scola was the Patriarch of Venice before he was transferred to the influential Ambrosian diocese of Milan.
Aside from his tony lineage and close connections with Pope-emeritus Benedict XVI, Schoenborn was a key editor for the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Scherer does has some experience with the Roman Curia, as he washe was an official of the Congregation for Bishops from 1994 to 2001.
Tagle only received his scarlet zucchetto in November 2012. But the 55 year old Tagle had been named for a five year term to serve on the Congregation for Catholic Education. Moreover, Pope Benedict XVI named Tagle as one of the Synod fathers for the Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelization on September 18, 2012.
Dolan has been a Cardinal for just over a year but he transferred from a seven year stint being Archbishop of Milwaukee to the Archbishop of New York in 2009. Currently, Dolan is the President of the U.S. Council of Catholic Bishops. Last year, Dolan was a leading voice in the Fortnight for Freedom project to educate Americans about the HHS Mandate and how it encroached on First Amendment liberties.
Prior to the Conclave's commencement, Cardinals have urged for prayer in their discerning. To that end, Adoptacardinal.org will designate a Cardinal-elector for you to pray for during this period.
