Nationality of the Pope

mikemac

Now before our current Pope was elected people were talking about the new successors.

And many said the Italians would be making a strong case to elect an Italian pope after such a long gap.
Seems they almost felt it was their office, well you got that impression

Looking at wikipedia over 70% of Popes were Italian or from that area before modern day Italy was formed
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_popes_by_nationality
Italy as a country isn't all that old. But in the 20th century, 7 out of 8 popes came from what we now call Italy.

And checking Paddy Power most candidates are Italian also
http://www.paddypower.com/bet/novelty-betting/current-affairs/the-next-pope/Who%2DWill%2DBe%2DThe%2DNext%2DPope%3F-458733.html

This isn't meant to be a disrespectul thread or even one on politics.

Do you think in the next few decades we will see a new Pope from Africa, Asia, North or South America? Would this be a shock to many?
Realy, these areas could be growth areas for Catholicm.

Or will the Europeans and mostly the Italians continue to dominate?

Plowman

This post has been deleted.

Plebs

The nationality of the Pope is irrelevant. If a Pope were elected based on the colour of his skin, it would be a bad day for Catholicism. PC liberalism that has been fashionable in the West since the 1960s and it doesn't get you very far in the Vatican.

mikemac

Plebs wrote: »

The nationality of the Pope is irrelevant.

Maybe but when 7 out of the last 8 popes come from the same country it been a factor so far.
And will it change anytime soon?
Maybe to reflect the growing numbers in Asia and the Americas

Plebs wrote: »

If a Pope were elected based on the colour of his skin, it would be a bad day for Catholicism. PC liberalism that has been fashionable in the West since the 1960s and it doesn't get you very far in the Vatican.

There was nothing about PC liberalism in my post.

Plebs

feelingstressed wrote: »

Maybe but when 7 out of the last 8 popes come from the same country it been a factor so far.
And will it change anytime soon?
Maybe to reflect the growing numbers in Asia and the Americas

The point still stands.

feelingstressed wrote: »

There was nothing about PC liberalism in my post.

Choosing a Pope based on his country of birth to satisfy some equality ideology smacks of PC liberalism.

Manach

From my reading of Vatican history, voting cardinals are well aware of the worldy political trends, so nationality cannot be totally discounted. However, IMHO the next elected pope would likely come from Africa - the African Church is of conservative inclination, yet deals with a multi-faith environment, and has experience dealing with a wide array of issues besetting that continent thus could act as a witness for 3rd world issue, similar to JPII during the cold war.

g5fd6ow0hseima

Manach wrote: »

the African Church is of conservative inclination, yet deals with a multi-faith environment, and has experience dealing with a wide array of issues besetting that continent thus could act as a witness for 3rd world issue, similar to JPII during the cold war.

This is the organisation which vigorously campaigns against the usage of condoms on the continent, right? All that taking into account the gigantic, unsustainable population rise / AIDS epidemic.

They're well equiped to deal with African problems alright...

Plebs

Faith Raspy Quiz wrote: »

This is the organisation which vigorously campaigns against the usage of condoms on the continent, right?

So?

Faith Raspy Quiz wrote: »

All that taking into account the gigantic, unsustainable population rise / AIDS epidemic.

Now you're making assumptions.

Faith Raspy Quiz wrote: »

They're well equiped to deal with African problems alright...

Of course you'd know all about Africa's problems. I'd say you know better than the church-funded aid agencies too.

Manach

In response, the latest book that I've read on the state of Africa,
The Shackled Continent: Africa's Past, Present and Future by Robert Guest, mentioned many multipliers on why AIDs has effected Africa so much: from corrupt policiations stealing money from Health budgets or claiming it is a Western plot, to social issues to do with long distance truck drivers. However the only mention of Catholicism, was on the care they provided for the dying in the hostels.

g5fd6ow0hseima

Plebs wrote: »

So?

honestly - 'wow'

Now you're making assumptions.

What are you trying to say? The population of the continent is remaining steady?

[/quote]
Of course you'd know all about Africa's problems. I'd say you know better than the church-funded aid agencies too.[/QUOTE]

Im no expert but ive taken modules on african politics in uni if that helps. Anyways - back to the above sentence: The assumptions that I am making.

So would you say that the sheer boom in population is not causing grave problems for the continent of Africa?

Coupled with rapid desertification in the Sahel region - is the serious threat to human security not being further compounded by this population rise that I am speaking about? Would the usage of contraception not help to kerb this rise to some extent and simultaneously help to fight against STDs?

What positives have the alien european churches ever done for Africa? It single handedly destroyed the African animist tradition [which afforded the natural surroundings much more respect] while proselytising the people of much of the continent solely as a colonial exercise.

Plebs

Faith Raspy Quiz wrote: »

honestly - 'wow'

Catholic church condemns condom use. Shock horror.

You can take all the modules in African politics you like, but you are not going to tell Christians (or Muslims) to use condoms. As much as you like to believe in the ideology that liberalises the sexual customs of African people, there is no silver bullet.

Incidentally, have you ever been to Africa?

g5fd6ow0hseima

Plebs wrote: »

Catholic church condemns condom use. Shock horror.

You can take all the modules in African politics you like, but you are not going to tell Christians (or Muslims) to use condoms. As much as you like to believe in the ideology that liberalises the sexual customs of African people, there is no silver bullet.

Incidentally, have you ever been to Africa?

I have not - but i would like to go. I dont have the money to volunteer. I'll go on my own steam when im financially capable.

Anyways, I will ask again - regarding condom usage - Do you not see the immediate benefits that condom usage would bring to Africa?

About catholics using condoms - look at the example of Ireland. Wernt they illegal up until fairly recently? Arent they now on sale in every pub toilet in this country. Why do you think african attitudes would be any different? If anything they're being held back as pragmatism is being overlooked for traditions sake.

It's as if you want African hardship to increase further in which it will arrive at catastrophic levels. And for what? Being a better christian? Taking this one issue of condom usage, christianity is an extremely negative force in Africa.

Plebs

Faith Raspy Quiz wrote: »

I have not - but i would like to go. I dont have the money to volunteer. I'll go on my own steam when im financially capable.

Anyways, I will ask again - regarding condom usage - Do you not see the immediate benefits that condom usage would bring to Africa?

About catholics using condoms - look at the example of Ireland. Wernt they illegal up until fairly recently? Arent they now on sale in every pub toilet in this country. Why do you think african attitudes would be any different? If anything they're being held back as pragmatism is being overlooked for traditions sake.

It's as if you want African hardship to increase further in which it will arrive at catastrophic levels. And for what? Being a better christian? Taking this one issue of condom usage, christianity is an extremely negative force in Africa.

FYI, this is a thread on the nationality of the Pope.

The way you bounce from one topic to the next, I'd hate to have to correct your assignments.

g5fd6ow0hseima

Plebs wrote: »

FYI, this is a thread on the nationality of the Pope.

The way you bounce from one topic to the next, I'd hate to have to correct your assignments.

I merely gave an example of catholics using condoms. You're the one who feels its improbable in Africa.

Plebs

Faith Raspy Quiz wrote: »

I merely gave an example of catholics using condoms. You're the one who feels its improbable in Africa.

Please don't tell me what I feel.

g5fd6ow0hseima

Plebs wrote: »

but you are not going to tell Christians (or Muslims) to use condoms.

.

DancingPriest

Faith Raspy Quiz wrote: »

.

Plebs, it's been a fortnight. Finished?

PDN

DancingPriest wrote: »

Plebs, it's been a fortnight. Finished?

Plebs has been site-banned (yet again). This is a regular occurence under various pen-names.