I humbly submit that it continues to be so strange that Pope Francis chooses so many lesser known bishops for cardinal - and so many of his Jesuit friends - and ignores the world--wide Catholic population base. I know population is not the only consideration when choosing a cardinal, but it is one of the traditional factors.
Here is an interesting statistic to demonstrate what I mean:
Korea's Catholic population is about 6M. Korea has 2 voting cardinals.
Portugal has 7M Catholics. Portugal has 4 voting cardinals.
Spain has 23M Catholics. Spain has 8 voting cardinals
Canada has 11M Catholics. Canada has 4 voting cardinals.
Switzerland has 3M Catholics. Switzerland has 2 voting cardinals.
England has 5M Catholics. England has 2 voting cardinals.
Mexico's Catholic population is about 90M. Mexico has 2 voting cardinals.
Although Korea, Portugal, Spain, Canada, and Switzerland all together have about 60% of the Catholic population of Mexico, these countries combined have twenty voting cardinals to Mexico's two voting cardinals.
It is clear to me that Pope Francis is favoring certain local regions and political leanings and avoiding other local churches, and most specifically Mexican prelates for the red hat (the only Mexican bishop he has created is Cardinal Aguiar Retes of México City). He is clearly also avoiding Mexican-born prelates serving in the US like Jose Gomez of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles of Gustavo Sillar of San Antonio, both of whom are experienced, intelligent, holy, and respected churchmen and leaders. When it comes to conclaves, this stacking of the deck will likely be a huge factor in who will become the next pope.
His preference has always been missionary, which means we go out to the rejected. Inspired like John 4 (Jesus traveling 25 miles through enemy territory to meet the outcast woman at the well). There also tend to be three types of cardinals in the Catholic Church: Theologian, pastor, and administrator. Perhaps it is better to look at that mix more than the geographic if you want true Catholic balance.
Pope Francis is choosing from a list of more progressive ideologues and outsiders, not missionaries. Pope Francis considers himself to be a progressive and an outsider, and that is what he looks for in his new cardinals. Not saying it's the first time this has happened, but it's rather odd that he appears to go out of his way to ignore the traditional places one looks for cardinals: major metropolitan sees and those archdioceses with large and complex populations and experienced bishops.
it is no stranger than the historical practice of priests, deacons and those in minor orders being made cardinals. in those cases also, the cardinal would outrank his "superiors". in this case, it is less "topsy-turvy" since the ordinary of the diocese is also a cardinal.
Yes I get the historical aspect , and yet it seems not right that an ordinary auxiliary bishop who has a defunked titular see, in reality out ranks his ordinary: The chain of command seems to be upset or more likely, totally disregarded, or is this just another means of making mess by which this pontificate is adapt at!
as I said, that isn't the case this time around since this auxiliary's archbishop is also a cardinal. I don't think anyone should get overly attached to the "chain of command", an ecclesiastical construction of doubtful value. Francis is more concerned with our obligation to live according to the Gospel.
I agree. I think the message from Francis is to stop thinking in terms of rank and chain of command. In a way, it seems odd that a man who already has the heavy duties of a large archdiocese be given additional responsibilities and distractions with the duties of cardinal. Maybe better that a talented man with a small diocese be asked to assist in curial work in addition to running a diocese.
This has me concerned because I have one of the best bishops in the country and it would be sad to see him go, even if it moved him up in the hierarchy. I fear it may only be a matter of time.
A good bishop is one who listens well to others, does what he says he is going to do, cares deeply about those he serves, and is open about difficulties he or those under his care face.
Christophe Pierre’s decisions to ignore “vos Estes..” is a lack of courage in dealing with fellow bishops and with certain dioceses gravely in need of help where priests are being run roughshod by power and control bishops. He will get his red hat but at what cost to some.
I don't think he's ignoring it. I think he's giving it its intended result, which is why I am still waiting for American bishops to do something like England's and create a lay board to help examine such situations when they refer to bishops.
I am not a fan of Pierre. I have written to him on multiple occasions, left voicemails with no response concerning the atrocities going on within the Diocese of Steubenville over the years and continuing. The members are still waiting on the financial viability results of an “independent health” audit of their diocese that began in January whic was conducted by Archbishop Schnurr of Cincinnati.
I humbly submit that it continues to be so strange that Pope Francis chooses so many lesser known bishops for cardinal - and so many of his Jesuit friends - and ignores the world--wide Catholic population base. I know population is not the only consideration when choosing a cardinal, but it is one of the traditional factors.
Here is an interesting statistic to demonstrate what I mean:
Korea's Catholic population is about 6M. Korea has 2 voting cardinals.
Portugal has 7M Catholics. Portugal has 4 voting cardinals.
Spain has 23M Catholics. Spain has 8 voting cardinals
Canada has 11M Catholics. Canada has 4 voting cardinals.
Switzerland has 3M Catholics. Switzerland has 2 voting cardinals.
England has 5M Catholics. England has 2 voting cardinals.
Mexico's Catholic population is about 90M. Mexico has 2 voting cardinals.
Although Korea, Portugal, Spain, Canada, and Switzerland all together have about 60% of the Catholic population of Mexico, these countries combined have twenty voting cardinals to Mexico's two voting cardinals.
It is clear to me that Pope Francis is favoring certain local regions and political leanings and avoiding other local churches, and most specifically Mexican prelates for the red hat (the only Mexican bishop he has created is Cardinal Aguiar Retes of México City). He is clearly also avoiding Mexican-born prelates serving in the US like Jose Gomez of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles of Gustavo Sillar of San Antonio, both of whom are experienced, intelligent, holy, and respected churchmen and leaders. When it comes to conclaves, this stacking of the deck will likely be a huge factor in who will become the next pope.
His preference has always been missionary, which means we go out to the rejected. Inspired like John 4 (Jesus traveling 25 miles through enemy territory to meet the outcast woman at the well). There also tend to be three types of cardinals in the Catholic Church: Theologian, pastor, and administrator. Perhaps it is better to look at that mix more than the geographic if you want true Catholic balance.
Pope Francis is choosing from a list of more progressive ideologues and outsiders, not missionaries. Pope Francis considers himself to be a progressive and an outsider, and that is what he looks for in his new cardinals. Not saying it's the first time this has happened, but it's rather odd that he appears to go out of his way to ignore the traditional places one looks for cardinals: major metropolitan sees and those archdioceses with large and complex populations and experienced bishops.
And yet again there will be another auxiliary made a cardinal, this is so, so weird!
it is no stranger than the historical practice of priests, deacons and those in minor orders being made cardinals. in those cases also, the cardinal would outrank his "superiors". in this case, it is less "topsy-turvy" since the ordinary of the diocese is also a cardinal.
Yes I get the historical aspect , and yet it seems not right that an ordinary auxiliary bishop who has a defunked titular see, in reality out ranks his ordinary: The chain of command seems to be upset or more likely, totally disregarded, or is this just another means of making mess by which this pontificate is adapt at!
as I said, that isn't the case this time around since this auxiliary's archbishop is also a cardinal. I don't think anyone should get overly attached to the "chain of command", an ecclesiastical construction of doubtful value. Francis is more concerned with our obligation to live according to the Gospel.
I agree. I think the message from Francis is to stop thinking in terms of rank and chain of command. In a way, it seems odd that a man who already has the heavy duties of a large archdiocese be given additional responsibilities and distractions with the duties of cardinal. Maybe better that a talented man with a small diocese be asked to assist in curial work in addition to running a diocese.
This has me concerned because I have one of the best bishops in the country and it would be sad to see him go, even if it moved him up in the hierarchy. I fear it may only be a matter of time.
What’s a good bishop?
A good bishop is one who listens well to others, does what he says he is going to do, cares deeply about those he serves, and is open about difficulties he or those under his care face.
Christophe Pierre’s decisions to ignore “vos Estes..” is a lack of courage in dealing with fellow bishops and with certain dioceses gravely in need of help where priests are being run roughshod by power and control bishops. He will get his red hat but at what cost to some.
I don't think he's ignoring it. I think he's giving it its intended result, which is why I am still waiting for American bishops to do something like England's and create a lay board to help examine such situations when they refer to bishops.
I am not a fan of Pierre. I have written to him on multiple occasions, left voicemails with no response concerning the atrocities going on within the Diocese of Steubenville over the years and continuing. The members are still waiting on the financial viability results of an “independent health” audit of their diocese that began in January whic was conducted by Archbishop Schnurr of Cincinnati.
Remerciez le Seigneur pour le don de votre vocation par laquelle le Christ vous a appelés et choisis parmi les autres hommes.