Oy Vey

[chenanceou]

The news this morning are all about the Conclave. For those like me who don't follow, the new Pope is to be elected and the ritual involves the locking of Cardinals in the Sistine Chapel where they will vote until they come up with a Pope (2/3 + 1 is what it takes). In each round of votes the ballots are burnt - black smoke if the Cardinals have not yeat come to a decision, white when they finally do.

Except this year they have a smoke cam. I kid you not. A camera on the chimney. Oh, and no mobiles in the Sistine. I'm guessing in case one of the Cardinals tries to leak the news? To make sure everybody understands that yes, they have a new Pope, the bells of St.Peter will ring for the first time. I'm guessing this has to do with the hiccup of '78. The Vatican bows to the news cameras. Creepy.

According to the news here, the Brazilians are worried the Argentinian will get it (The two countries aren't overly fond of each other. Football must have something to do with it.). I'm just hoping G'd will choose to meddle for once and not sit another ultraconservative in a position of power.

Smoke cam... Have they no shame? Stupid question - it's television.

Comments

[villagechick.livejournal.com]

But I kinda want to see the smoke cam.

Because it's twisted. :) *hangs head in shame*

Popes and Smokes

[chenanceou.livejournal.com]

I have to admit that with all my issues with the Vatican, it's really pissing me off to hear the sort of asinine questions being asked to priests and to the tourists waiting for the white smoke.

One guy was upset because he had already waited for a whole day. Man, people's attention span is going down the sewer. I wonder what people would have done if they had to deal with the good old days... one Conclave was at it for three years.

The other thing is the American C.C.. No offense, but the same guy who turned a blind eye for years to those freaking abusing perverts saying mass?! It's sort of the tip of the iceberg why this particular religious institution creeps me out.

Don't feel bad about smokecam - I tried to get in and it's pretty much down.

[jerrymcl89.livejournal.com]

I know that the Church changes only very grudgingly and gradually, but I do hope that they will manage to choose someone who is willing to consider at least some reform, especially in terms of the priesthood.

Btw - Is there a smoke-cam webcam yet ?

[chenanceou.livejournal.com]

Yes, but it's down and I'm guessing will continue to be down since suddenly everybody is interested.

One hopes, like I said, for the best and not for a continuation of the absurdity of borderline fanaticism the last Pope, with all due respect, imposed as Catholicism. I'm tired of people calling themselves Catholics, but not really being what Catholics are supposed to be (no sex out of marriage, no birth control, condemnation of homosexuals and other oddities). It's hypocrisy. If people want the label, they should walk the walk.

But that's me - I've made the decision of turning my back to organized religion and all the rot it brings.

HAHA

[taradi.livejournal.com]

Hey Chennie, baby!

I read Smoke Cam and my first thought is seeing an angry Frenchman leaning on a column in St. Peter's Square looking at the camera saying, "Zee Pope should be French!"

Smooch! Hope you are well!!!

t

Re: HAHA

[chenanceou.livejournal.com]

Tara! I just saw a Belgian saying that!
Not really French, but...

I'm doing okay and keep seeing your name being mentioned (praised by chaodai).

Smooching you back!

[elizard100.livejournal.com]

From what I've heard Joseph Ratzinger, the German candidate, is the early favourite although news was released this morning in a London newspaper that he was a member of the Hitler youth which would just be such a black mark against the papacy if he were to be selected. He's a hardliner and staunch traditionalist so it doesn't sound like the church would be making any social advances with him. That can't be good.

Wings.

[chenanceou.livejournal.com]

Well, yes - he was part of the Nazi youth. He was also in the army at the end of the war. But then he never had a say on either of those and got out of the youth as soon as possible and joined a seminary and never saw action during the war. Even the Jerusalem Post (right wing Israeli newspaper in English) came to his defense against the NY Times article.

I'm more concerned with the fact the man is another staunch conservative and I think, with Africa falling apart from the Triple Threat (poverty, AIDS and unstable govt.) it's important to have a Pope who understands that trying to stick to the Middle Ages isn't going to help anybody and has very little with being a good Christian.

But one can't have too much on the way of hope since there's really no left wing in the Sistine Chapel.

Re: Wings.

[elizard100.livejournal.com]

He sounds very scary indeed. We'll see what happens.

[sp23.livejournal.com]

Smoke cam... Have they no shame? Stupid question - it's television.

Shame? Are you kidding? If Entertainment Tonight could dress Paula Abdul up in a Cardinal's robes, they'd sneak her in to get an exclusive report.

[chenanceou.livejournal.com]

The image is going to give me nightmares.
The sad thing is, I'll bet the next Conclave is probably going to be broadcasted live.

[sp23.livejournal.com]

The sad thing is, I'll bet the next Conclave is probably going to be broadcasted live.


To be honest, if that ever happened, I'd lay odds the end of days was nigh.