ASIA
26 March 2014
An Asian Pope for this Asian Century
This Asian Century deserves an Asian Pope. And the Asian papal candidate is the Archbishop of Manila, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle.
This Asian Century deserves an Asian Pope. And the Asian papal candidate is the Archbishop of Manila, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle.
The Catholic Church is in disarray. Sex scandals. The "Vatileaks" scandal involving leaked Vatican documents, allegedly exposing corruption. And more.
Perhaps more fundamentally, the Church is widely seen as being out of touch with its devoted flock on issues like female clergy, birth control and abortion, homosexuality, and so on.
In Europe, churches are almost empty (except for tourists), and very few choose the priesthood as a vocation. In Australia, perhaps the most pagan of Western countries, old churches are now sold off and are recycled as restaurants, shops and so on.
It is mainly in the developing world -- Africa, Asia and Latin America -- that the Catholic Church is still in rude health.
When the conclave of cardinals interprets the visitation of the descending holy spirit, many will want to envisage another old European cardinal as the next Pope. But this would not be wise.
The Catholic Church is in desperate need of renewal, fresh ideas, and a truly global mission. It is time for the Church to be true to the very spirit of the word "catholic", which means universal. Moreover, the Church needs a "CEO-Pope" who can manage this unwieldy organization, as the Reverend Robert Gahl argues.
In this context, the best thing that the Church could do is to elect Philippine Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle as the next Pope. He comes from one of the most universal countries, a former colony of Spain and the United States, and today an independent Asian country with a 100 million strong population, most of whom are devout and active Catholics. And he also comes from the Asian continent, home to 60% of humanity, and the most dynamic region of the world.
Tagle himself has universal qualities thanks to his part Chinese heritage, and full fluency in English. He is said to be a brilliant theologian, and greatly inspiring in the pulpit. And reflecting his country, he is also social media savvy.
He is said to be ranked among the top ten candidates. But Vatican watchers have noted several weak points on his CV. He has only been a Cardinal for a few months, and Archbishop for little more than one year. What's more he is still young at the tender age of 55. He will also be the second youngest of the College of Cardinals who will elect the next Pope for its 1.1 billion faithful, and the youngest of the "papabili" (potential popes).
But he is only three years younger than John Paul II was when elected in 1978. He is also a Vatican insider, having worked with the outgoing Pope at the International Theological Commission.
Rumor has it that the Cardinals dread the idea of another long papacy like that of John Paul II. But Pope Benedict's early retirement should be seen as a very important precedent and a positive step in the very slow modernization of the Church. Like Benedict, Tagle would not have to stay in the job until the bitter end.
Since there is no obvious frontrunner, the conclave has the opportunity to make a brave and strategic choice. A choice that respects the long-term health and relevance of the Church, much more than short-term petty church politics.
In this context, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle is an excellent candidate.
Will he be elected? It is impossible to guess. European cardinals who have forgotten that Jesus was born in Asia, will fight on hard bitterly to hold onto the papacy. And the Vatican remains one of the few organizations which is less transparent and open than even the Chinese Communist Party.
Executive Director
Asian Century Institute
www.asiancenturyinstitute.com
The Catholic Church is in disarray. Sex scandals. The "Vatileaks" scandal involving leaked Vatican documents, allegedly exposing corruption. And more.
Perhaps more fundamentally, the Church is widely seen as being out of touch with its devoted flock on issues like female clergy, birth control and abortion, homosexuality, and so on.
In Europe, churches are almost empty (except for tourists), and very few choose the priesthood as a vocation. In Australia, perhaps the most pagan of Western countries, old churches are now sold off and are recycled as restaurants, shops and so on.
It is mainly in the developing world -- Africa, Asia and Latin America -- that the Catholic Church is still in rude health.
When the conclave of cardinals interprets the visitation of the descending holy spirit, many will want to envisage another old European cardinal as the next Pope. But this would not be wise.
The Catholic Church is in desperate need of renewal, fresh ideas, and a truly global mission. It is time for the Church to be true to the very spirit of the word "catholic", which means universal. Moreover, the Church needs a "CEO-Pope" who can manage this unwieldy organization, as the Reverend Robert Gahl argues.
In this context, the best thing that the Church could do is to elect Philippine Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle as the next Pope. He comes from one of the most universal countries, a former colony of Spain and the United States, and today an independent Asian country with a 100 million strong population, most of whom are devout and active Catholics. And he also comes from the Asian continent, home to 60% of humanity, and the most dynamic region of the world.
Tagle himself has universal qualities thanks to his part Chinese heritage, and full fluency in English. He is said to be a brilliant theologian, and greatly inspiring in the pulpit. And reflecting his country, he is also social media savvy.
He is said to be ranked among the top ten candidates. But Vatican watchers have noted several weak points on his CV. He has only been a Cardinal for a few months, and Archbishop for little more than one year. What's more he is still young at the tender age of 55. He will also be the second youngest of the College of Cardinals who will elect the next Pope for its 1.1 billion faithful, and the youngest of the "papabili" (potential popes).
But he is only three years younger than John Paul II was when elected in 1978. He is also a Vatican insider, having worked with the outgoing Pope at the International Theological Commission.
Rumor has it that the Cardinals dread the idea of another long papacy like that of John Paul II. But Pope Benedict's early retirement should be seen as a very important precedent and a positive step in the very slow modernization of the Church. Like Benedict, Tagle would not have to stay in the job until the bitter end.
Since there is no obvious frontrunner, the conclave has the opportunity to make a brave and strategic choice. A choice that respects the long-term health and relevance of the Church, much more than short-term petty church politics.
In this context, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle is an excellent candidate.
Will he be elected? It is impossible to guess. European cardinals who have forgotten that Jesus was born in Asia, will fight on hard bitterly to hold onto the papacy. And the Vatican remains one of the few organizations which is less transparent and open than even the Chinese Communist Party.
Author
John WestExecutive Director
Asian Century Institute
www.asiancenturyinstitute.com