CHAPTER 11
THE CHURCH IS EUPHORIC
Pope John XXIV names 75 new Cardinals to be installed at a ceremony in Rome. The lists includes numerous clergy both men and women, and some married individuals from around the world, including prominent theologians from Protestant denominations. It has been reported that among those announced are individuals that have been recommended by their respective churches as delegates to the Holy See. It would appear that the new Pope is indeed fulfilling his promises of including these nominees as part of the College of Cardinals in forming a new Universal Catholic Church.
The ongoing discussions with world Christian churches appear to be developing at unprecedented speeds, unheard of in the slow and methodical discernments of past church history. This Pope has indeed galvanized his church leadership and its members to truly embrace God’s request for a unified church. It is absolutely amazing that these events are occurring all over the Christian world. Even among the faithful of various congregations there is a renewed spirit of faith that appears contagious, and is spreading like raging wild fires.
There have been outrageous demonstrations by various organized groups attempting to slow or stop the unification efforts in every Christian church. But so far, the vast majority of Christians seem emboldened in fulfilling the request of the Lord God Himself when appearing in Rome to announce the new Pope, of His desire for a Universal Catholic Church. Everything is happening at a feverish pitch.
ST PETER’S BASILICA, ROME
Among massive security efforts in the installation of the 75 new Cardinals named by Pope John XXIV, the celebration is occurring in the Basilica instead of the square, as has been the custom. This is a most remarkable time in the church in breaking with centuries of tradition by naming female and married individuals to the College of Cardinals, including the Patriarch of Constantinople, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Elder from the Mormon Faith. It is our understanding that the non-Catholic prelates will first be asked to confirm their allegiance to the Pope, and then conferred Holy Orders as priests within the Catholic Church. The final ceremony will be the presentation of the Red Hat, designating their installation as Cardinals within the Catholic Church.
It is also unprecedented, at such an event, that there appears to be an organized protest crowd of hundreds in St. Peter’s square attempting to disrupt the proceedings. They have placards denouncing the Pope as Satan or with other sacrilegious names. The papal guards as well as the police from Rome are attempting to keep the protesters quarantine to one area, in order to maintain control and away from the thousands of faithful in the crowds.
The Vatican paper, “l’OSSERVATORE ROMANO”, has also mentioned that the entire College of Cardinals would be starting deliberations tomorrow on a vast array of topics, as well as decisions to be made regarding the unifications of various worldwide Christian and Protestant churches, that have been in dialogue with the Holy See. These are unprecedented times bringing forth such diverse groups and resulting in the polarization of diverse opinions. It appears in the final analysis, that these developments are gaining acceptance for the unification of all groups who believe in the same God. This new Pope certainly has been working tirelessly for the unification process, although many critics within the Catholic Church feel he is betraying historical traditions and precedents.
The First American Pope Page 11