Vatican Bank

BBC

In January the Italian central bank suspended all bank card payments in the Vatican, citing its failure fully to implement anti-money laundering legislation.

The Holy See was required to meet European Union safeguards on finances by the start of 2013.

Pope Benedict has promised greater transparency in Vatican finances and the operations of its bank.

A group of experts from the Council of Europe said last year that the Vatican had made progress in reforming to meet EU standards but that a lot of work remained to be done.

I'm confused.  What is the obligation here for the Vatican?  Or is it the EU saying, "do this because I'm bigger than you"?   Click the link to read more about the Vatican Bank's newly appointed head.

Morning Roundup

CNN

Opaque, hierarchical and arcane, the Vatican is a tough beat even for seasoned reporters. It involves paying punctilious attention to papal routine -- never missing the often dreary papal audiences on a Wednesday and the uneventful address from the Vatican on Sunday.

And

Now, Pope Benedict's resignation -- the first in 600 years -- has rewritten the rule book; not just for the Vatican, which now goes through a complex and unprecedented interregnum, but also for the Vatican press corps.

Interesting and illuminating.  Unfortunately, the author gets off track and doesn't tell us exactly why His Holiness's abdication changes the rules.

Reuters

Speaking unscripted to thousands of priests from the diocese of Rome, in what turned out to be a farewell address in his capacity as bishop of the Italian capital, Benedict outlined a cloistered life ahead, once he steps down in two weeks time:
"Even if I am withdrawing into prayer, I will always be close to all of you and I am sure that you will be close to me, even if I remain hidden to the world," he said.

Ugh.  Don't tell me this was all overblown (probably), and His Holiness being available was meant in a purely spiritual sense!

"In my opinion, once he resigns he should put aside the white cassock and put on the robes of a cardinal," said Father Thomas Reese, senior fellow at the Woodstock Theological Center at Georgetown University and an author of books on the Vatican.

"He should no longer be called pope, or Benedict, or your Holiness, but should be referred to as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger," Reese added. "After the new pope is elected, he should attend his installation along with the other retired cardinals and pledge his allegiance to the new pope."

This I agree with wholeheartedly.  Most importantly, a message must be sent that will not be two Popes.  Confusion must be annihilated at all costs to secure the legitimacy of Benedict XVI's successor.

On Wednesday night, he presided at an Ash Wednesday Mass that was moved to the vast St Peter's Basilica from its original venue in Rome.

A capacity crowd gave him a thunderous standing ovation at his last public Mass. In his homily he said the Church had been at times "defaced" by scandals, divisions and rivalries.

"Thank you. Now, let's return to prayer," the pontiff said, bringing an end to several minutes of applause that clearly moved him. In an unusual gesture, bishops took off their mitres in a sign of respect. Some of them wept.

You know, His Holiness's abdication could become a public relations masterstroke.  Benedict XVI, the pope who retired from the papacy for the good of the Church and his flock.  Talk about legacies.  Could His Holiness's exit from the papacy not only define how history will view him but also redefine how history views John Paul II?

Sandro Magister: Who Will Take Up the Keys of Peter

In this article, his first online since the announcement of the abdication, Magister talks a bit about the circumstances and then launches into the brief resumes of the cardinals (and one biship) he thinks are likely contenders in the coming conclave.

Among the Italian candidates, [Angelo] Scola, 71, appears the most solid. He was trained as a theologian in the cenacle of “Communio,” the international magazine that had Ratzinger among its founders. He was the disciple of Fr. Luigi Giussani, the founder of Communion and Liberation. He was rector of the Lateranense, the university of the Church of Rome. He was the patriarch of Venice, where he demonstrated effective managerial abilities and created a theological and cultural center, the Marcianum, reaching out with the magazine “Oasis” toward the confrontation between the West and the East, Christian and Islamic. For almost two years he has been archbishop of Milan. And here he has introduced a pastoral style very attentive to the “far away,” with invitations to the Masses in the cathedral distributed on street corners and in subway stations, and with special care for the divorced and remarried, who are encouraged to approach the altar to receive not communion but a special blessing.

Scola has often been a subject of Magister's writing and one gets the sense after reading all that that Magister has his own favorite.

In addition to Scola, another entry for the list of candidates could be Cardinal Bagnasco, 70, archbishop of Genoa and president of the Italian episcopal conference.

Not to mention the current patriarch of Venice, Francesco Moraglia, 60, a rising star of the Italian episcopate, a pastor of strong spiritual life and very much beloved by the faithful. His limitation is that he is not a cardinal. Nothing prohibits the election of someone who is not part of the sacred college, but even the highly credentialed Giovanni Battista Montini, although projected as pope in1958 after the death of Pius XII, had to wait until he received the scarlet before he was elected in 1963 with the name of Paul VI.
[,,,]

Here one candidate who could meet the expectations is the Canadian Marc Ouellet, 69, multilingual, he as well trained theologically in the cenacle of “Communion,” for many years a missionary in Latin America, then archbishop of Québec, one of the most secularized regions of the planet, and today the prefect of the Vatican congregation that selects the new bishops all over the world.

Apart from Ouellet, two North Americans who elicit appreciation in the college of cardinals are Timothy Dolan, 63, the dynamic archbishop of New York and president of the episcopal conference of the United States, and Sean O'Malley, 69, the archbishop of Boston.
[...]

If from Latin America and Africa, where indeed the majority of the world's Catholics live, there do not seem to emerge prominent personalities capable of attracting votes, the same is not true of Asia.

Note well Magister's opinion of the cardinals of Africa.  He fails to mention the perennial favorite Arinze or the oft-mentioned Turkson.  The same goes for Latin America.  Interesting.

[...] In the Philippines, which is the only nation in Asia where Catholics are in the majority, there shines a young and cultured cardinal, archbishop of Manila Luis Antonio Tagle [56], the focus of growing attention.

As a theologian and Church historian, Tagle was one of the authors of the monumental history of Vatican Council II published by the progressive “school of Bologna.” But as a pastor, he has demonstrated a balance of vision and a doctrinal correctness that Benedict XVI himself has highly appreciated. Especially striking is the style with which the bishop acts, living simply and mingling among the humblest people, with a great passion for mission and for charity.

One of his limitations could be the fact that he is 56, one year younger than the age at which pope Wojtyla was elected. But here the novelty of Benedict XVI's resignation again comes into play. After this action of his, youth will no longer be an obstacle to being elected pope.

My bolding.  Magister has other things including links to and translations of the pope's statements and a brief look at the motivations of John Paul II and Benedict.

Benedict XVI's Final Public Mass

I caught the rebroadcast of the Holy Father's last public Mass today on EWTN.  It was pretty normal except for the occasional shots of people looking sad due to the significance of the event.

Then after Communion, Cardinal Bertone came out to address Benedict.  And as soon as I saw this, I knew what was coming.  The secretary of state finished his address and went up to warmly greet the pope.  Cut away to the congregation applauding, clergy, religious, and laity.  I knew it would happen, but I hoped it would not go on, but it did.  Things moved along to the final blessing, but they were still applauding and Benedict had to wait.

*sigh*

I really wish Cardinal Bertone had waited for some other occasion than Holy Mass.

Zenit has his address translated into English.

Legacy

The Times

Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz of Cracow, secretary to the late Pope John Paul II, was quoted as saying that Benedict’s predecessor had decided to remain Pope while dying an agonising death from Parkinson’s because “you don’t get down from the Cross”.

I first saw this over at the Daily Mail.  And yeah, it was definitely overblown, with only the apparently inflammatory quote without any contect.  So thanks to The Times for a bit more information.  The extra info regarding the quote may extinguish the flames for me.  But I think this illuminates that now more than ever, John Paul II's greatest legacy.  He and his papacy are the greatest in living memory and therefore the measuring stick again which all others will be judged.  And Benedict XVI will now be fully measured up to his predecessor, with their respective exits from the papacy probably the greatest contrast of all.

Unprecedented

Daily Mail

While Vatican spokesmen gave assurances that the retired Pope will never interfere with the appointment or decisions of the new one, Benedict’s brother Georg Ratzinger said that ‘where he’s needed he will make himself available’ and added that the next Pontiff ‘may ask for advice’.

It was also revealed that, far from retiring to a life of contemplation in a distant monastery, Benedict will live inside the Vatican in a specially-prepared apartment block.

The DM's article is probably overblown.  But the point is valid because I thought the same things myself when I first read Benedict XVI would be close at hand and available.  So, there will a new Pope.  There will be Cardinals.  And there will be a Cardinal who is also an... ex-Pope.  Immediately, I'm thinking perhaps His Holiness wishes to engender a collegial atmosphere at the very top, to share the burden.  As they say, it's lonely up there.  So having someone else there who knows what it's like, that experience shouldn't be wasted.  I can understand that if that's the thinking.

Some Reactions

Resignation of Pope Benedict XVI

United Kingdom - Prime Minister David Cameron praised Benedict XVI, saying: “I sent my best wishes to Pope Benedict following his announcement today. He has worked tirelessly to strengthen Britain’s relations with the Holy See. His visit to Britain in 2010 is remembered with great respect and affection." He added that “He will be missed as a spiritual leader to millions.”

On the face of it, the Prime Minister's reaction seems genuine.  I especially like the affection part.

France - President François Hollande said Benedict XVI merits "respect" but did not comment on the matter specifically as it is internal to the Roman Catholic Church.

The President's comment feels cold and guarded to me.  I wonder what his religious life is like.

Israel - Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger's spokesman said: "During his period there were the best relations ever between the church and the chief rabbinate and we hope that this trend will continue. I think he deserves a lot of credit for advancing inter-religious links the world over between Judaism, Christianity and Islam." The spokesman also said that Metzger wished Benedict XVI "good health and long days."

I like the Israeli reaction, looking at the practical side of things.  "Good health and long days."  Indeed!

United States of America - President Barack Obama praised Benedict XVI, saying: "On behalf of Americans everywhere, Michelle and I wish to extend our appreciation and prayers to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. Michelle and I warmly remember our meeting with the Holy Father in 2009, and I have appreciated our work together over these last four years."  He added that he wished "the best to those who will soon gather to choose His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI's successor."

Unfortunately, prepared remarks from President Obama.

Pope Benedict "will not interfene in successor's affairs"

BBC

Pope Benedict XVI will not interfere in the affairs of his successor after his decision to resign later this month, the pontiff's brother has said.

Georg Ratzinger told the BBC the Pope would only "make himself available" if he were needed.
[///]

Benedict XVI will bid farewell to his followers in a final audience in St Peter's Square on 27 February, Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi has said.
[...]

The Pope was to retire to the papal residence at Castel Gandolfo when he leaves office, the Vatican said, before moving into a renovated monastery used by cloistered nuns for "a period of prayer and reflection".

"He'll stay in Rome and will certainly have some duties and of course will continue to educate himself intellectually and theologically," Georg Ratzinger told the BBC.
[...]

Those are the salient points in an article that basically sums up what is already known.  The final audience is going to be crazy.  Back when the pontificate began in 2005, I read a lot about how Benedict was drawing greater and greater numbers to his audiences compared to John Paul II>  I wonder how long that trend continued and if it merely plateaued or trended back down.

Conclave 2013: First Thoughts

Catholic Hierarchy has the full list of cardinal-electors and people have begun looking at papabili.  I agree with the general sentiment that there are no names jumping out at the moment.  Certainly, aside from the thought that the will of the Holy Ghost will be done, a lot of people familiar with the college have their favorites.

On the conservative and/or traditional side, names like Burke, Ranjith, and Bagnasco (due to his being a disciple of Cardinal Siri) have been mentioned along with non-cardinal outsider Athanasius Schneider (known for his defense of Communion on the tongue and calling for a new Syllabus to clarify Vatican II).

On the "progressive" side, I can't think of any names off the top of my head.  Looking at the cardinals on the progressive side listed in Samuel's bookmakers' odds post, none of them are young enough to qualify. 

After the election of Cardinal Ratzinger in 2005, it's pointless to try to decide just what the college will look for as far as "conservative" or "progressive".  I really think it will come down to age: anyone over the age of seventy-five is in my mind not a serious papabile.

Samuel: I agree with Jacob's last point here.  In the "BREAKING" post, the link in the third update goes on about how Benedict never had a chance because he is the pope who followed John Paul.  I would think maybe the next pope would be chosen young enough to really put his stamp on things and not just administer. 

The Bookmakers' Papabile

Daily Mail

9/4 Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, 64
Country: Ghana Cardinal in the Ghanaian Catholic Church
Elevated to cardlinalate by Pope John Paul II
Significant views: Would like to see a black pope. Believes condoms should be used in marriage if one partner is infected with Aids.
Wikipedia

5/2 Cardinal Marc Ouellet, 68
Country: Canada
Elevated to the cardinalate by Pope John Paul II
Significant views: Belief that abortion is unjustifiable, even in cases of rape
Wikipedia

7/2 Cardinal Francis Arinze, 80
Country: Nigeria
Elevated to cardlinalate by Pope John Paul II
Significant views: Extreme conservatism on birth control and abortion
Wikipedia

7/1 Cardinal Angelo Scola, 71
Country: Italy
Elevated to become Archbishop of Milan by Benedict XVI
Significant views: Wants to work more closely with Islam and support Christians in the Middle East
Wikipedia 

10/1 Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga, 70
Country: Honduras
Elevated to cardinalate by Pope John Paul II
Significant views: A moderate but is anti-abortion and criticised Ricky Martin for using a surrogate mother
Wikipedia

12/1 Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, 78
Country: Italy
Elevated to cardinalate by Pope John Paul II
Significant views: Blamed homosexual infiltration of the clergy for Catholic child sex scandals
Wikipedia

14/1 Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, 70
Country: Italy
Elevated to cardinalate by Pope Benedict XVI
Significant views: Strongly against abortion and expressed anger towards same-sex unions
Wikipedia

16/1 Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 77
Country: Argentina
Elevated to cardinalate by John Paul II
Significant views: Against abortion and euthanasia, is against same-sex marriage but calls for respect of gay people. Washed the feet of 12 Aids patients in 2001.
Wikipedia 

20/1 Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, 69
Country: Argentina
Elevated to cardinalate by Benedict XVI
Significant views: Said Christians in Iraq under Saddam Hussein were more free than they are now
Wikipedia

25/1 Cardinal Christoph von Schonborn, 68
Country: Austria
Elevated to cardinalate by John Paul II
Significant views: Said use of a condom by an Aids sufferer could be seen as a 'lesser evil'.
Wikipedia

BREAKING: Benedict XVI to Resign Effective Feb. 28

SEE UPDATES AT THE END OF THIS POST.

Rorate Caeli has the text of the Holy Father's official declaration at the consistory.

The most relevant section:

However, in today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me. For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is.

An update from the Vatican spokesman says that Benedict will finish up his work and then retire to the cloister within the Vatican walls.

Father Z's blog is not loading, I assume from heavy traffic.  It's all over the news, so you'll have no trouble finding stuff, though beware of rumor and gossip as I doubt anyone knows anything beyond what's stated above.

Pray and fast, brethren.

----------

Update #1: The last pope to resign, Gregory XII.

Update #2: Father Z's blog is back up.  He has several new posts, including this one summing up his thoughts so far.  Worth a read.

Update #3: Let the post-pontificate comparisons to John Paul II begin!  Note the inaccuracy about where John Paul got his papal name.  It's my understanding it took it in honor of his predecessor, not for John XXIII and Paul VI.

Update on the Colorado Lawsuit

According to The Denver Post, the bishops of Colorado are undertaking a full investigation of the hospital and its owner, Catholic Health Initiatives, but will not comment on ongoing litigation.

Hypocrisy at St. Thomas More Hospital

CNN

Canon City, Colorado (CNN) -- Life begins at conception, according to the Catholic Church, but in a wrongful death suit in Colorado, a Catholic health care company has argued just the opposite.

A fetus is not legally a person until it is born, the hospital's lawyers have claimed in its defense. And now it may be up to the state's Supreme Court to decide.

And

They said that under state law, an embryo is not person until it is born alive, according to court documents. The Stodghills' twins were deceased when they were removed from their mother's lifeless body.

There is no excuse for a "Catholic" hospital to be making this argument, even if it a legal maneuver to use already existing state law as a defense.  The administrators of St. Thomas More Hospital and Centura Health should be ashamed of themselves!  I hope the Colorado bishops who are looking into this matter will right this wrong as quickly as possible.

Patrick McCloskey and Joseph Harris: Roman Catholic Education, in Need of Salvation

The New York Times, hat-tip to TitusOneNine.

Their suggestion for salvation:

Many deacons have valuable professional, managerial and entrepreneurial expertise that could revitalize parochial education. If they were given additional powers to perform sacraments and run parishes, a married priesthood would become a fait accompli. Celibacy should be a sacrifice offered freely, not an excuse for institutional suicide.

No thanks.

Notre Dame and the National Championship

In case you missed it, last night the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame lost to the Crimson Tide of Alabama.  When I went to bed, the score was 35-7.

One of the newsy blogs I read, Hotair.com, had an open thread post up last night for the game.

In the post, the author links to an article by Michael Leahy at The Washington Post and quotes a bit of it.  Here is a small portion of that quote:

[T]o this day, Notre Dame remains a political and social battleground for American Catholics. The university’s invitation for President Obama to deliver the 2009 commencement address became a national controversy, with conservative Catholics opposing the president’s positions on abortion rights and stem-cell research. And last year, the university filed suit against the federal government, seeking to overturn a requirement in Obama’s health-care law that employers offer insurance plans including contraception coverage — a move that more politically moderate church members resented, concerned that Notre Dame would seek to deprive women, Catholic or not, of such coverage.

The rest of the quote at Hotair.com goes on with Leahy positing that due to its Catholicness and ethics as far as recruiting players who are academically capable (as opposed to the SEC schools who are just out to gain talented football players at any cost),  ND is somehow carrying on the tradition of the Church of his youth with its nagging, dogged adherence to standards of old.

That's an interesting narrative Leahy (and Hotair.com by extension) is pushing, but it's also wrong.  I'm not going to go out of my way to illustrate why beyond just looking at the excerpt I give above.  Leahy says that the invitation to the president became a national controversy with conservative Catholics opposing the president's positions on abortion and stem-cell research (his words).  He misses the fact that conservative Catholics (let's just ignore his use of secular terminology) were as much up in arms with Notre Dame itself as they were with Obama and his well-known positions.  ND invited Obama and when it blew up in its face, it gave out a wishy-washy justification about dialogue.  Then it went so far as to prosecute eighty-eight people for their protesting Obama's speech.

Leahy asks if Catholics have a duty to root for the Irish?  The answer is only if Catholics are willing to accept the Notre Dame narrative at face value.

The New Evangelization: Tweeting

I was on Twitter briefly, but it just didn't work for me as a means of communication.  But now the Holy Father has joined the trend (@pontifex).

From VIS::

Vatican City,  (VIS) - "Dear friends, I am pleased to get in touch with you through Twitter. Thank you for your generous response. I bless all of you from my heart".

This was Benedict XVI's first tweet, published after the blessing that concluded today's general audience. The Pope used a tablet to send his first tweet, which was transmitted in eight languages (English, Italian, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Polish and Arabic), and displayed on a screen installed in the Paul VI Hall.

Throughout the day the Pope will respond to three questions - submitted from three different continents - selected from those sent during recent days.

The Holy Father already has over one million followers on Twitter.

Personally, I would have gone for two tweets, preceding the one above with "In nómine Patris, et Fílii, et Spíritus Sancti. Amen."  With such a universal tool of communication like Twitter, the universal language of the Latin Church is logical. 

December 21st, 2012

From the Associated Press via myfoxny.com:

VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Vatican's top astronomer has some assurances to offer: The world won't be ending in about two weeks, despite predictions to the contrary.

The Rev. Jose Funes, director of the Vatican Observatory, wrote in Wednesday's Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano that "it's not even worth discussing" doomsday scenarios based on the Mayan calendar that are flooding the Internet ahead of the purported Dec. 21 apocalypse.
Yes, Funes wrote, the universe is expanding and if some models are correct, will at one point "break away" — but not for billions of years. But he said Christians profoundly believe that "death can never have the last word."

The Mayan Long Count calendar begins in 3,114 B.C., marking time in roughly 394-year periods known as Baktuns. The Mayans wrote that the significant 13th Baktun ends Dec. 21.

Pope Benedict's Christmas Schedule 2012

Via Vatican Insider

:

Tuesday 25 December 2012 
SOLEMNITY OF THE LORD’S BIRTH
Central loggia of the Vatican Basilica, at 12:00

The Holy Father Benedict XVI will address His Christmas message to the world and pronounce the "Urbi et Orbi" Blessing.


Monday 31 December 2012
SOLEMNITY OF MARY, HOLIEST MOTHER OF GOD
Vatican Basilica, 17:00

The Holy Father Benedict XVI will preside over the First Vespers of the Solemnity of Mary, Holiest Mother of God, followed by the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, the traditional Te Deum hymn in thanksgiving for the past year and the Eucharistic Blessing.


Tuesdat 1 January 2013
SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLIEST MOTHER OF GOD – WORLD DAY OF PEACE
Papal Chapel, Vatican Basilica, 9:30

The Holy Father, Benedict XVI will celebrate Holy Mass for the Solemnity of Mary, Holiest Mother of God on the eighth day of Christmas, which falls on the same day as the 46^th World Day of Peace on the theme "Blessed are the peacemakers".

The Mass will be co-celebrated with the Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone; the President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson; the Titular Archbishop of Roselle and Substitute for General Affairs to the Secretary of State; the Titular Archbishop of Sagona and Secretary for Relations with States, Mgr. Dominique Mamberti; S.D.B., Titular Bishop of Bisarcio and Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Mgr. Mario Toso and the Titular Archbishop of Midila and President of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, Mgr. Beniamino Stella.


Sunday 6 January 2013
HOLY MASS ON THE SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY 
Papal Chapel. Vatican Basilica, 9:00
The Holy Father, Benedict XVI will celebrate Holy Mass on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, during which he will confer Episcopal Ordination upon some presbyters.


Sunday 13 January 2013
FEAST OF THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD
Sistine Chapel, 9:45
The Holy Father, Benedict XVI will preside over the Eucharistic Celebration, during which he will administer the Sacrament of Baptism to some children.

Woe to the Republic!

Over at HotAir, they're talking about what the election means.  Ed Morrissey mentions last night proved 2010 was the anomoly, that 2008 and 2012 represent the new norm, realignment to the Left.  But I don’t see this as a realignment towards the Left. I think it is a realignment AWAY from the Right. I think Americans are relatively sane in regards to big government. But they simply don’t trust Republicans and are even frightened of them.

While the Democrats use it as an excuse to pretend their Leftist agenda is awesome despite public disapproval, I think it is very true for the GOP. I think the Republicans have a messaging problem.

Some more thoughts:

• Romney is a great guy and I think he would have been a good president. But he played right into voters’ fears by being a rich white guy and he didn't do enough to transcend that stereotype.
• The President went small in the campaign. Romney went big. But not big enough. In retrospect, Romney should have made this election not about the economy, but a referendum on the Future. Right or Left? Small government or Big government? Fiscal sanity or Fiscal disaster?
• Romney should have made it clear that a vote for the President was a vote to embrace and cement the new norm of greater entitlement and regulation of society, which America can no longer afford.
• To put it simply, Romney failed to message how high the stakes were in the election.

Every nation gets the government it deserves.
-- Joseph de Maistre, Lettres et Opuscules

New pope chosen for Egypt's Copts

BBC News

Bishop Tawadros has been chosen as the new pope of Egypt's Coptic Christians, becoming leader of the largest Christian minority in the Middle East.

His name was selected from a glass bowl by a blindfolded boy at a ceremony in Cairo's St Mark's Cathedral. Three candidates had been shortlisted.

The 60-year-old succeeds Pope Shenouda III, who died in March aged 88.

He succeeds as attacks on Copts are on the increase, and many say they fear the country's new Islamist leaders.

The other two candidates were Bishop Raphael and Father Raphael Ava Mina. They were chosen in a ballot by a council of some 2,400 Church and community officials in October.

 And

The new pope has studied in Britain, and has also run a medicine factory, the BBC's Jon Leyne in Cairo reports.

He is a man of broad experience and with managerial skills, our correspondent says, adding that he will need all those talents to lead the Copts as they face an uncertain future in a country now debating the role of Islam following last year's revolution.

This new Pope seems to be a bit of a technocrat.  Unfortunately, the BBC article doesn't really tell me anything about the man himself.  I realize it is probably not a priority for Copts, but I am most interested in seeing if this Pope will continue his predecessor's efforts towards unity among the Christian churches.  I wonder if unity would be helpful to the Copts in their struggles in Egypt.