WHO will succeed the late Pope John Paul II, and what will be the procedure followed for election of the next Pope? The hottest news in circulation this week around the world is focused on the recent death of Pope John II and talk about him and his successor. It might interest my readers if I share with them the description of author Malachi Martin in his report, "The Final Conclave," of what usually happens behind the closed doors of the conclave in preparation prior to the election of the next Pope. This book, published by Simon & Schuster Division of Gulf and Western Corporation, New York (1978), was written by a famed author and former associate of Pope John XXIII. It made public, the first time, the inner workings of papal selection.
Let me quote the author’s words from the book, thus: "The Opening Evening. On the first evening of Conclave 82, as soon as all the conclave personnel have taken the oath to preserve the secrecy of the Conclave, the Camerlengo has a few short words to say to them before they gather in the Preliminary Session. In quiet, distinctly pronounced Latin, he says simply: ‘My Lord Cardinals, we have about twenty minutes before our preliminary meeting which, as you know, will be held in the Sistine Chapel. Let us commence our work with trust in God’s blessing and guidance. I hope that your accomodations are to your satisfaction, and that our daily assemblies in the Nervi Hall will be fruitful and rapid. He glances at the young Monsignore at his side. Monsignore will be here constantly to help you in any way possible.’
"Except for rare occasions in Conclave Sessions, that measured and quiet tone of voice is the unwritten rule of Conclave talk and behavior. Low-key. Unhurried. Confident. Dispassionate. Understated. In contrast, outside the Sessions, Electors will communicate as they wish — vehemently, passionately. Now, as the Camerlengo finishes, the Cardinals start to leave the Chapel and gather outside its main doors. As they do, the Conclave bell rings with a sharp middle-pitched tone; it is now 6:45 p.m. In a quarter of an hour the opening of Conclave 82 will take place. Outside in the wide corridor, flanked by high frescoed walls and ceiling, the Cardinals tarry awhile. Most of them have studied their schedule. One or two ask a neighbor what the bell means, but mostly as a meant of relieving tension or breaking the ice...."
For many Catholics to know about the character and attitude of Paul John II, let me quote one important passage in the book co-authored by Peter Hebblethwaite and Schillebeeckx and Kung titled "THE NEW INQUISITION?" My quote begins thus: "... There had been another shift in the Vatican’s flexible power structure. While Paul VI had concentrated authority in the Secretariat of State, so that he could keep a firm grip on everything that was going on, John Paul II has restored the relative autonomy of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith. The difference this makes is that the Secretariat of State, though it might not be theologically well-informed, at least had some inkling of ‘diplomatic’ consequences, a knowledge zealously defends ‘orthodoxy’ with single-minded intensity and complete disregard for the consequences....."
Readers who may be interested to have more references on the above quotations, may write to me for information.
