Seeking a religiously-appointed figure of diverse ethnic background

Seeking a religiously-appointed figure of diverse ethnic background

A buzz of anticipation fills the Catholic community as the world awaits the election of a new Pope. As a devoted Black Catholic, the thought of a non-European leader holds special significance for me. When Pope Francis took the reigns, he became the first pope from the Americas and the Southern Hemisphere, shattering over a thousand years of European dominance.

As the conclave gears up, the voting cardinals are no longer a homogeneous European group. Now, 133 cardinals hailing from 70 countries will cast their votes in the Sistine Chapel. The question on everyone's mind: will they take the next step and install a pope of color?

The stage has been set for a groundbreaking election, but the journey towards inclusivity is far from over. The Ancient Namibian archbishop, the Indian cardinal rooted in the slums of Mumbai, the Cuban priest who has battled emplification in the midst of the Marxist revolution — they, and others like them, could bring unique perspectives to the forefront of the church.

However, the challenges ahead are daunting. The Vatican is grappling with the rise of evangelicals, the theological and philosophical wars over abortion, gay marriage, and the doctrine of celibacy, and the declining number of priests and nuns. Not to mention the nearly $1 billion settlements for sexual abuse cases in Los Angeles alone.

The electorate faces the herculean task of selecting a leader who can steer the church through these tempests while embracing reform and modernization. A pope of color could deliver a powerful message to the burgeoning Catholic communities in the developing world that they are not just members, but decision-makers within the Catholic Church.

In my view, modernization is the key to healing my ailing church. The conclave can deliver justice to millions of nonwhite Catholics by choosing a man of color to lead us into the future.

Earl Ofari Hutchison's latest book is " 'President' Trump's America." His commentaries can be found at thehutchinsonreport.net.

More to Read:

Navigating the delicate balance between Western and non-Western theologies in the new Papacy

The challenges of embracing women in the priesthood and queer leadership

The Catholic Church's ongoing battle with evangelicals and other faiths

Enrichment Data:

Demographic Shifts: As the influence of non-European regions grows, the Catholic Church's center of gravity is steadily shifting towards Africa, Asia, and Latin America, where the Church's growth outpaces Europe and North America. However, the College of Cardinals, who elect the Pope, remains predominantly European, despite ongoing diversification.

Vatican Expert Insights: The upcoming papal conclave will feature a diverse array of thought among the voting cardinals, highlighting theological and ideological divides over issues like progressive versus conservative theologies and attitudes towards eastern vs western traditions. While regional representation is a factor, the election process is unpredictable, driven by both internal Church politics and global political dynamics.

Diversity Discussions: DEI programs at Catholic institutions reflect the Church's engagement with societal diversity, but their focus is more institutional practices than leadership selection. The controversial Abu Dhabi Statement, which suggests religious diversity as willed by God, represents a broader theological debate about pluralism. However, papal elections are governed by distinct traditions and historical practices.

Historical Precedent: The election of Pope Francis, a Latin American, demonstrated a willingness to look beyond Europe. While a pope of color would not be unprecedented, no concrete indicators suggest this outcome is imminent. Historically, diversity has played a role in the selection of Popes, as evidenced by Nestorius of Constantinople, a Syrian, and Cornelius, an African, both of whom occupied the papal seat in the 4th century.

1. The upcoming papal conclave presents a significant shift, with cardinals from 70 different countries set to vote, potentially marking a historic moment with the election of a pope of color.
2. The Catholic Church is grappling with numerous challenges, including theological and philosophical wars, declining numbers of priests and nuns, and hefty settlements for sexual abuse cases, particularly in Los Angeles.
3. A pope of color could deliver a powerful message, underscoring the inclusion of burgeoning Catholic communities in the developing world as decision-makers within the Church.
4. Modernization, according to Earl Ofari Hutchison, is key to healing the ailing Church, and choosing a man of color could deliver justice to millions of nonwhite Catholics.
5. The Catholic Church's center of gravity is shifting towards Africa, Asia, and Latin America, but the College of Cardinals, who elect the Pope, remains predominantly European.
6. The upcoming papal election will showcase a diverse array of thought among the voting cardinals, highlighting theological and ideological divides over issues like progressive versus conservative theologies and attitudes towards eastern vs western traditions.
7. Diversity and inclusion programs at Catholic institutions focus more on institutional practices than leadership selection, such as the ongoing debate about the role of women in the priesthood and queer leadership.
8. Historically, diversity has played a role in the selection of Popes, like Nestorius of Constantinople, a Syrian, and Cornelius, an African, who both occupied the papal seat in the 4th century.

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