Hello George,
>From the bit that I have red about the men in birettas, I agree that
Cardinal Ivan Gracias would be a worthy successor. As far as conservatives
go, he would serve the Church well. However, I totally disagree with the
Italian Cardinals as told by the Vatican expert, Marco Politi - "that the
Italians, whose 455-year-old hold on the papacy was broken by John Paul
II's election, were divided, and there was no European or Third World
candidate who had captured the prelates' imaginations." (in FRANCES
D'EMILIO, Associated Press Writer Cardinals Check in Before Conclave, Sun
Apr 17, 9:42 AM ET).
About Cardinal Ratzinger becoming Pope. This guy is built like a tank. In
my opinion, if he gets elected he will be around for a long time barring
serious divine intervention.
There is no doubt that there are complex dynamics involved in voting the
next Prelate. Note: I did not say voting process. I frankly believe that
God looks on this procedure with more than a sense of bemusement. But for
better or worse we are part of this adolescent Church!
I am considering on betting in Pounds Sterling if Il Papa is not selected
on the first round. Upon much reflection, I have concluded that its not in
poor taste to bet on the big boys.
Venantius
____________________
Cardinals Check in Before Conclave
Sun Apr 17, 9:42 AM ET
By FRANCES D'EMILIO, Associated Press Writer
>Hi Venantius
>
>--- Venntius wrote:
>> George,
>> Are you talking of betting with money odds OR betting with emotions and
>>assorted feelings on
>> Cardinal Ivan Dias?
>
>I am refering to the latter. Even though he is a long-shot, I am rooting
>for one of us. One never
>knows. Till Austrian Cardinal Koenig I believe introduced JP II as a
>compromise candidate at the
>last conclave, very few had considered him papabile. A good Catholic
>would say that God has
>already chosen the next pope and the Conclave, upon prayer and meditation,
>will discover and
>canonically elect him next week. I think Cardinal Ivan Dias is well
>qualified and though I
>disagree with some of his views, I hope he is elected. I should say from
>my vantage point that
>the entire College of Cardinals is too conservative and no one candidate
>stands out as endearing.
>However, emotionally I am rooting for Cardinal Dias.
>
>
>> Paddys in Dublin are accepting bets on who will be elected the next
>>Pope?! Do you know
>> any other bookies.
>
>Yes, Paddys in addition to Pinnacle and BetFair, see
>http://www.oddschecker.com/betting/mode/o/odds/124960x/sort/F. Some think
>the idea of betting on a
>Pope is in poor taste. One person said he hopes the Pope is elected by
>Monday or Tuesday so he can
>use the new Pope's numbers in Wednesday's lotto!
>
>> Are there Goan bookies. : )
>
>I do not know any but I am sure the matka industry is a little extra busy
>on the side lately ;-)
>
>Regards,
>George
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