Church in the World

Cardinals agree to pre-conclave media black-out

16 April 2005

THE CONCLAVE of 2005 has already made history because of its departure from procedures at previous papal elections, most notably a moratorium on cardinals talking to journalists even before they lock themselves in the Sistine Chapel to vote for the next pope.

The cardinals ?unanimously? agreed last Saturday ?to avoid interviews or meetings with the media?. The unprecedented move bemused observers. ?It follows a pattern,? said one veteran Vatican watcher. ?They refused to talk about possible candidates or issues when John Paul II was still alive; then they refused until after his funeral,? he said. ?Now they have shut up for good.?

The cardinals want time for quiet prayer and reflection before beginning the conclave on Monday afternoon, according to the Vatican?s spokesman, who said journalists were ?kindly requested not to ask the cardinals for interviews or any other comments?. The rules governing the ?vacant see? and election ? found in John Paul II?s 1996 Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis ? make no stipulation for such a pre-conclave silence.

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, a powerful and respected figure among his colleagues, reportedly led the effort to block out the media. As Dean of the College of Cardinals he has been presiding at the formal meetings ? or general congregations ? the cardinals hold every morning inside the Vatican?s synod hall.

One hundred and fifteen cardinals (all under the age of 80) from 53 countries are due to begin voting for the new Bishop of Rome on Monday. Two other cardinal-electors ? the Philippines? Cardinal Jaime Sin and Mexico?s Cardinal Adolfo Suarez Rivera ? will not participate because of ill health. On Monday, the cardinals will begin with a morning Mass (Pro Eligendo Papa) in St Peter?s Basilica, presided over by the dean, then process to the Sistine Chapel later in the afternoon to begin the voting process.

The conclave ? with all the solemnity of a sacred rite and much of the intrigue of a political election ? takes place under Michelangelo?s awe-inspiring frescoes. A candidate needs 77 votes (or two-thirds majority) to get elected, and balloting continues up to four times a day ? twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon. After every seven votes there is a recess of up to a day for prayer and reflection, and then a return to the voting process. This will be the first time the cardinals will be lodging at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, a hotel John Paul II had constructed several years ago specifically to house the electors.

The Apostolic Constitution requires that ?two ecclesiastics known for their sound doctrine, wisdom and moral authority? should speak to the cardinals ?on the problems facing the Church? and ?the need for careful discernment in choosing the new Pope?. The papal household?s fiery preacher ? Fr Raniero Cantalamessa OFM Cap. ? was due to give the first meditation on Thursday. The Capuchin is close to the Charismatic Movement and is known for his emotional preaching style. Cardinal Tom?s Spidl?k SJ, an 85-year-old retired professor of Eastern Christian spirituality at the Gregorian University, was to give the second meditation on Monday before the cardinals cast their first ballot.

Since the day after the late Pope?s funeral different cardinals have been presiding at daily Masses in St Peter?s Basilica to pray for his soul. The nine consecutive days of Masses conclude today. At the Mass presided over by Cardinal Bernard Law, archpriest of St Mary Major, victims of sexual abuse protested outside the basilica. They have accused the former Archbishop of Boston of covering up abuse by priests and said it was insensitive that the Vatican should choose him out of more than 180 cardinals to celebrate such an important ceremony (see p. 36).
Robert Mickens, Rome

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