by Anura Guruge
on June 29, 2021
Click images to ENLARGE.
Both from ‘Google News‘ & relate to unforgivable crime of murdering, innocent indigenous kids forced to attend Canadian ‘Residential Schools‘.
As far as I can tell Marc Ouellet was not personally responsible for any of these heinous crimes — though he may have known about it way, way before it became public.
If so, why would his papabili rankings take a nosedive?
Very simple. The Church (& in this case represented by the ultra-politic Cardinal Electors) will NOT want a Canadian pope at this juncture.
Having Marc Ouellet as pope will bring this ‘problem’ way too close to the Vatican.
For a start, a Canadian pope will immediately draw more attention to this crime. It will not go away as the Vatican hopes it will. As long as there is a Canadian pope at the Vatican this crime will get talked about.
Furthermore, Ouellet, as a Canadian, will not be able to distance himself from the crimes — like Francis is doing.
The Canadian authorities & people will DEMAND that he, as pope, openly address the issue. He will have no choice but to apologize.
The Church & the other cardinals don’t want this.
Canada is now a problem.
A Canadian pope will exacerbate that problem & continue to draw attention to it.
So, with that the only plausible papabili from the Americas bit the dust!
Exactly. I’ve always held–as you know–that Ouellet’s papability (ahem) was always a little problematic anyway, due mostly to Canada’s geographic (and perceived psychological) closeness to the United States. But you’re right, to a scandal-adverse College, this puts the nail in the proverbial coffin.
Mark,
As ever your reading of Church dynamics & politics is nay, spot on. Pitty. As you KNOW I like Marc. I think he is a good, decent man & would have made a v. good pope.
NOW this complicates matter for us. Who? Who?
Nobody obvious pops to mind.
I have to get back on the ‘Next Pope’ beat soon. Hopefully by the end of July.
We will be in touch. Hope all is good. Is it HOT in D.C. Pretty toasty up here. Cheers, Anura
99 degrees yesterday here.
Yeh, no one obvious comes to mind now.
My prediction is that the next conclave will be a bit of a slugfest between those who aspire to promote/continue Francis’ vision (or lack thereof) of the Church, and those who espouse protecting & promoting the Deposit of Faith regardless of modern trends. How that will shake-out will be anyone’s guess at this point.
Either way, the process will be fascinating, as always.
Mr. Guruge,
I think you are 100% right on this matter – there is no way that the electors would want to invite the scrutiny that would come from a Canadian pope. I did not think of this angle when I initially read the sad stories of these schools.
RIchard Truely
PS Also this sad chapter in Canadian history certainly contradicts the usual impression that US citizens have of Canadians (Canadian Nice).
[Please, call me ‘Anura’ or even ‘Anu’. SMILE.]
I have come to realize that YOU are v. astute on matters papal, so you would have thought of this angle soon enough. Kind of a shame. I think Ouellet would make a v. good pope. I cannot find any reaction from him re. this crime.
As for Canadians, to be somewhat fair, this was done in a different ‘era’.
All the best. Stay in touch. I LEARN from you. SMILE.
Thanks. Anura