Tuesday, October 09, 2007

An Aussie on an English throne?




The Catholic Herald last week suggested Cardinal Pell might be in line as Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, frankly, I don't believe it. But on Ttony's blog Pell is in the Paddypower odds at 10-1


Rt Rev Vincent Nichols 2-1 (7-2)
Rt Rev Kevin McDonald 5-1 (7-2)
Rt Rev Alan Hopes 11-2
Fr Timothy Radcliffe 6-1 (10-1) (6-1)
Bishop William Kenney 15-2 (6-1)
Cardinal Pell 10-1
Archbishop Michael Louis Fitzgerald 10-1 (12-1)
Fr Aidan Nichols 11-1 (5-1) (6-1)
Rt Rev Patrick Kelly 12-1 (10-1) (12-1)
Rt Rev Arthur Roche 12-1 (10-1) (12-1)
Rt Rev Bernard Longley 12-1
Rt Rev Peter Smith 12-1
Rt Rev Michael Evans 16-1
Bishop Patrick O’Donoghue 16-1
Fr Christopher Jamison 20-1
Bishop John Rawsthorne 20-1
Bishop John Patrick Crowley Non-runner (33-1)



In Italy of course, it is not unusual to transfer Cardinals from one See to another, but Sydney is not an insignioficant See, next year it is hosting World Youth Day.

I would love to have Pell here in England, I have been trying to think of why it might take place. When people I know complained to the Cardinal Ratzinger abo0ut the Church in England he certainly recognised that things were not perfect with the English heirarchy, but then they are certainly not as off the wall as many Europeans are, a bit wet but not absolutely dripping, certainly not in the vanguard of liberalism, none appear to deny the divinity of Christ, or seek to overthrow the Church's authority, indeeed most, all even, seem to be good Christian men.



If Pell were to come to Westminster it would be a sign in Europe and the rest of the Church, that the Church is Universal, Catholic and that although there migh certain cultural differences Catholiscism in one part of the world is, or should be, the same throughout the world.



I know that as far as the English speaking world is concerned England has a certain linguistic pre-emminence, but that battle seems to have been won, at least as far as the liturgy is concerned, for now, at least.



It could be that Pell might be seen as the great enemy of Relativism; I suppose the pope could see that England is a bridge between the English speaking world (which in a way includes not only North America and Australasia but also parts of Africa and to some extent India and the rest of Asia) and Europe.



I am trying to think of other reasons, mabe you can help in the comments box.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

His ancestors were deportees, now he's back to kick some a**. :-)

gemoftheocean said...

My guess is it's added in as a sucker bet to pull in the punters so they can use that money to pay off the eventual winners.

Fr Ray Blake said...

Gladys you put your comment on the post below.

Hope's I understand is a good man manager, and is popular among the Westminster clergy.

Anonymous said...

Cardinal Pell is doctrinally orthodox but liturgically disastrous and would not be sympathetic to the reform of the reform or Summorum Pontificum beyond lip service. If you want an Australian bishop who might work wonders in England and Wales you need go no further than the newly-consecrated Bishop Peter Elliott. He is not, unlike Cardinal Pell, a bully, knows and understands Britain, is a brilliant educationalist and an outstanding liturgist, as 'Ceremonies of the Modern Roman Rite' demonstrates. But his chances of appointment are as remote as that of his old friend and colleague. Unless there is an unknown stalking horse I suspect that we shall have more of the same but with mildly different icing on the cake.

Anonymous said...

A Cappa Magna!!!

Ttony said...

I don't think gemoftheocean understands how British and Irish bookmakers make up their books. If this were a sucker bet, it would be at much longer odds - say 50/1 or 100/1. 10/1 suggests that real money has been put on Cardinal Pell.

JARay said...

I do not know either Cardinal Pell or Bishop Peter Elliott except by repute. The latter was consecrated an auxilliary bishop of Melbourne a few months ago. I have read some of what he has written on the Liturgy. He is an expert Liturgist. I know of some who really are hoping he might make it here to Perth when Archbishop Hickey has to resign in a couple of years time. They know him particularly well.
Oh! I have read Cardinal Pell's biography. He's a man's man. He certainly sorted out the local Seminary when he was in Melbourne. He asked to see the Profs. in his Office. They protested and offered their resignations in protest. His reply was "Thanks gentlemen. You've saved me the job of sacking you". Wagga Wagga, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney have more Seminarians at present than the rest of Australia. And their numbers are growing too. In just less than 10 years Perth has had 43 Ordinations.

JARay

JARay

Paulinus said...

I thought for one horrible moment that list said:

Rt Rev Clifford Longley 12-1

The Lord’s descent into the underworld

At Matins/the Office of Readings on Holy Saturday the Church gives us this 'ancient homily', I find it incredibly moving, it is abou...