Rome Diary March 10, 2013

There was something mildly amusing, yesterday, about watching hundreds of journalists giddily traipse up to the Sistine Chapel for their big news get of the day: a glimpse of two stoves! To be fair, the Sistine Chapel is always a wonder. But when it is packed with smart phone toting journalists and camera people (many of whom have never been here before) the shine comes off even Michelangelo’s masterpiece pretty fast. For some of the visiting journalists it was a chance a snap a shot for the Twitter feed, for others, a pleasant way to pass to the time. With so little news to report on an otherwise sleepy Saturday, why not?

As I have written before, the real news of the Conclave occurs during the unofficial pre-conclave meetings: during dinners, long walks, and chats between cardinals or groups of cardinals. The near universal distress over the state of the curia (the Vatican government that is to assist the Holy Father fulfill his evangelical mission in the Church) comes up in nearly every conversation I have had here. I will not divulge the contents of my private talks with various electors, but recent statements in the media will give you some sense of what I have been hearing.

“The Curia must be revolutionized,” German Cardinal Walter Kasper told La Repubblica recently. “As well as the word reform, there must be a second: transparency.”

Americans have been no less outspoken on the curia. Before the curtain fell on the US cardinals daily briefing, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, the Archbishop of Galveston-Houston said, “I think that we need to look attentively at the work of the Curia in recent years.” DiNardo’s point was that the curia badly needs reform.

Again and again this theme of curial reform has also been a mainstay conversation piece at the official General Congregation meetings. Expect the cardinals going into Conclave to have “curial reformer” at the top of their papal wish lists.

John Allen speculates in a blog today that the curial block could be more powerful in 2013 than it was in 2005 since they now represent a third of the papal electors (up from less than a quarter). Those 38 cardinals are not likely to vote as a bloc. But if they did, Allen speculates, “a candidate would have to pick up absolutely every other vote in the conclave to get to 77 (the necessary votes needed to win the papacy).” Scary that. But it is not likely to happen. Though I could foresee a sizable Italian contingent collaborating with a curial faction that could block candidates. We shall see…

Our Conclave Crew: Fr. Gerry Murray, Fr. Roger Landry, Robert Royal, Chris Edwards and I ran into Fr. Robert Sirico and Sam Gregg of the Acton Institute last night. It seems everyone is making plans to attend a Mass celebrated by a different cardinal at their titular church in Rome today. One is going to a church on the outskirts or Rome to attend Cardinal George Pell’s Mass, another is going to Cardinal Francis George’s Mass on an island in the Tiber River. I was planning to drop into a local parish. But since everyone seems intent on being at a high profile Mass, I decided to attend Cardinal Marc Ouellet’s. Don’t read too much into this. His titular church is 3 minutes from my hotel and is actually the local parish I had initially thought about dropping into anyway. Providence is kind at times.

Cardinal Marc Ouellet's morning Mass did not happen, but he did celebrate the six thirty Mass in his titular church of Santa Maria in Traspontina.  Before a congregation of largely media types, the Cardinal pronounced his homily in flawless Italian.  His concentration did not waver even as a small child ran back and forth not far from the altar during the consecration.  Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus Carl Anderson was in attendance as well as a smatterings of locals.   

Cardinal Dolan apparently wowed the crowds at his Roman titular church across town this morning. He offered his four minute homily in functional Italian—seen by many as a sign of his ability to connect with the Romans. The assembled burst into rapturous applause at his conclusion. As one reporter put it to me, “It’s the closest thing to New Hampshire you’re likely to see in Rome.” This is what journalists abroad with little to cover do: chase after Cardinals as they enter and leave Masses at their titular churches. How newsworthy is all this? Not very. But it keeps everybody busy and provides pictures for the evening news back home.

I ran into my pal George Weigel and his wingman on MSNBC this week, Father Robert Barron on the Borgo Pio. It was a joy to converse with people here who are actually informed. They seemed, like other friends I’ve encountered this week, cautious about predictions and uncertain of the outcome.

We had a bracing Live From The Vatican show last night which ran through the major Papabili candidates—cardinals who are “popeable.” These are the names we are hearing in our conversations with Cardinals around town and it is possible that one of these impressive men could well be the next Pope. If you missed it, you should watch the Youtube edition. I’ll post it on my Facebook and Twitter pages as soon as it becomes available. We will be introducing you to other cardinals in the days ahead.

After a sunny afternoon, an evening drizzle has begun to fall in Rome and there are still no leading papal candidates. According to those who will do the electing, the man who would be pope still eludes them. And the Conclave is only a little more than 24 hours away.

Be sure to tune in each afternoon for “Live from Vatican with Raymond Arroyo” airing at 2PM Eastern and 9PM Eastern on EWTN. And send your reactions or questions to raymond@raymondarroyo.com You can also sign up for my e-blast (it’s near the bottom of my homepage at raymondarroyo.com). If you sign up for the e-blast, I’ll send the latest installment of my Rome Diary each day. Ciao.

Rome Diary March 8, 2013

 These are damp, strangely quiet days in Rome. They lack the drama and the massive show of humanity that accompanied the 2005 passing of John Paul the Second, which will inevitably impact the result of this Conclave. I can remember those emotional days eight years ago—days when it felt as if the whole Church might collapse into tears. I can remember fighting to get to our broadcast location on many mornings due to the crush of young people packing the streets leading to the Vatican. It seemed the whole world had come to bid a personal farewell to John Paul the Great (as Fr. Neuhaus would call him)—and indeed they had.

On the last day of the public viewing of John Paul’s body I recall being overcome by sadness. He was the only Pope I could remember, the Pope of my childhood and my adulthood. Kneeling next to his body, which seemed so much smaller than I remembered, tears spilled into my hands. It was hardly a unique reaction in the grand basilica that day, but it still felt as if a piece of my heart had been taken from me. Having known the Pope personally over many years only added to my sense of grief—and I was not alone.

The spectacle of that mourning period--the crowds flowing into St. Peter’s at all hours, the singing in the streets, the impromptu doorway confessions up and down the Via Della Conciliazione--pulled everyone into its sway.

Lacking the soulful centrifugal force of a Pope’s passing, the lead up to the Conclave of 2013 pivoted directly to the vetting of candidates and forming of alliances. There was the Cardinals momentary public vespers service at St. Peter’s on March 6th which provided an important spiritual image for the Cardinals. As my co-host on our coverage, Father Gerald Murray opined, “It is a powerful symbol to see powerful men on their knees in prayer.” Indeed. But it was a prayerful moment that did not extend much beyond St. Peter’s. And even though Catholics around the world were joining them in that moment, the Cardinals could not see the faithful as they could in 2005. The presence of those people praying in the streets and the powerful funeral Mass for JPII prepared the Cardinals for that Conclave.

The Curia, the Vatican government in Rome, is clearly the focus of many discussions among the Cardinals these days. It was even confirmed at a press conference today.
The decision to silence the Cardinals (especially the US Cardinals daily presser) was the suggestion of Curial officials running the General Congregation meetings. There was no vote about whether the Cardinals should speak to the media or not. Instead the Holy See spokesman, Fr. Lombardi reported, “it seemed to reflect the will of the College.”

Apart from the daily press conference, the only official releases from the Vatican came in the form of tweets from the Holy See Secretariat of State. They were meant to coincide with the “regular session of the Human Rights Council.” The Secretary of Relations with States tweeted:

Archbishop Mamberti: The Holy See, in its diplomatic activity, is commited (sic) to the protection of the rights of the most vulnerable

The Holy See’s representative to the UN in Geneva then sent out:

Archbishop Tomasi: Respect for the religious freedom of minorities is the cornerstone of dialogue and cooperation.

This is the type of off key approach that has confused the media, bewildered the people, and infuriated the Cardinals. The Curia just doesn’t seem to get it. At a time when people are craving news on the Conclave, the bureaucracy is issuing diplomatic deep thoughts (and misspelled ones at that). These odd releases and gag orders could weigh on the minds of the Cardinals once they enter the Sistine Chapel.

The Cardinals seem to want a reformer; an outsider with insider knowledge who can “streamline” and “clean out” the corruption that ails the Vatican bureaucracy here in Rome. As one man with intimate knowledge of the Curia confided to me today, “When you deal with the Curia it is like putting your hand in a sack with two snakes and an eel-- and you have to pull out the eel.” Get the picture?

Beyond a reformer, Cardinals tell me they’d like to see a charismatic Pope who will boldly proclaim the Gospel in this challenging age. Benedict’s resignation provided yet another requirement for the job: the man must be robust and young enough to meet the expectations of the modern papacy. There is a presumption that the Pope must drag himself about the world as a personal emblem of the Faith a la’ John Paul the Second. But why? For centuries Popes only rarely left the Vatican. And with the advance of media and technology, the Pope need only be a click or an app away from his flock at any moment. In spite of the oft mentioned qualities that the dream candidate must possess, there is a one big problem. The man has yet to present himself.

In all of my conversations here, it is striking that no leading candidate has emerged. In 2005, though many in the media missed it, some of us knew that Cardinal Ratzinger was the man to beat. This time the field seems wide open and confusion reigns. Aside from Cardinals Ouellet, Scola, and O’Malley, few names rise in conversations. But I refuse to engage in needless speculation. Soon we will all know the Cardinals decision. The Congregation of Cardinals voted this afternoon to set the date for the Conclave. It will begin on Tuesday, March 12th. I will be covering the Procession of the Cardinals into the Sistine Chapel on that first afternoon and I hope you will join us.

Be sure to tune in each afternoon for “Live from Vatican with Raymond Arroyo” airing at 2PM Eastern and 9PM Eastern on EWTN.

Be sure to send your reactions or questions to raymond@raymondarroyo.com. You can also sign up for my e-blast (it’s near the bottom of my homepage at www.raymondarroyo.com). If you sign up for the e-blast, I’ll send you the latest installment of my Rome Diary each day. Ciao

Rome Diary March 7, 2013

A cold, damp wind whips through the borgos surrounding the Vatican these days. And they bring ill tidings. Yesterday, the one source of first-hand information about the General Congregation of Cardinals (the private Pre-Conclave show happening behind the Vatican walls) was abruptly cut off. Each afternoon the American Cardinals had been holding a press avail featuring two members of their group. And though no major news was made here, it gave the press and the Cardinals a chance to engage and interact during a confusing time for all. Can anyone say “new evangelization”? Apparently the candor and the “parallel” press briefings were too much for some to bear, so they had to go.

Father Federico Lombardi, the spokesman for the Holy See Press Office obliquely ruminated on the gag order (but then everything in Rome is oblique):

“The College of Cardinals as a whole has decided to maintain a line of an increasing degree of reserve,” he said. When pressed on the reasons for ending the American press conferences he shot back, “Ask them.”

Two factors influenced the move within the Congregation to silence the mouthy Americans.

One: transcript-like, detailed accounts of the Cardinal’s official meetings have been appearing in the Italian papers. Some Cardinals groused about the leaks. I am told by a source that Cardinal Angelo Sodano, the Dean of the College running the meetings, personally announced the names of the offending “leakers” before the entire body. I find this hard to believe. Cardinals won’t name names when grave offenses have occurred out of fear of offending a brother Cardinal. Now an old Vatican hand like Sodano is going to publically humiliate multiple, Italian Cardinal electors on the eve of a Conclave? I think not. Unless he hoped to demonstrate that he could be the Curial reformer that so many are now seeking… Whatever the case, the leaks provided a nice justification for muzzling the American Cardinals. Even though the Americans had nothing to do with the leaks.

Two: The Americans Cardinals and their “American media” have become a source of envy over the last few days. Since the U.S. Cardinals were the only game in town, aside from the rather staid official Holy See Press Conference, the 5000 plus journalists here swarmed the North American College each afternoon. Cardinals from other countries and certainly the Curia did not look kindly on what Father Lombari called the “parallel” daily press briefings being run out of the NAC. The feeling among the Curia--and I have heard it repeatedly on the desolate streets of this town--is that the Americans were dominating the media coverage and therefore shaping the Conclave. This is only partly true. They were dominating the coverage because no one else was saying anything quotable. Every Cardinal had the freedom to speak to the media. The fact that some are media adverse or unsure of themselves should not be held against those who are demonstrably not. Rather than viewing the daily US media briefing as a negative, the Curia should have embraced it as a positive—a chance for the Church to respond and to get her message out. Instead they have created a media vacuum, one that the Curia imagines it can fill. The scant procedural information provided by Father Lombari and the Press Office (approved by Cardinal Sodano) will not satiate the hordes of media covering this Conclave. Be fully prepared to hear more cries that the press is “distorting” and “manipulating” the Conclave through its coverage. Left with little information, the press will seek out sources and groups that will further irritate Church officials. But it is a situation they could have avoided by making Cardinals—American or otherwise-- more available.

Behind the scenes there is a quiet cold war taking shape among the Cardinals. This division does not seem to be along the old right/left lines, but rather between the Curialists and the outsiders. Reform of the Roman Curia, the bureaucracy of the Church, is a major priority for most of the Cardinal electors I have spoken with since the Pope announced his retirement. It is that curia which is to blame for so many of the gaffes, missteps, and scandals that besieged Pope Benedict during his eight year reign. But the old guard will not go quietly.

The Italians have had a good long time to talk amongst themselves, select their candidates for Pope, and strengthen their coalition. Not so with the Cardinals from other countries, some of whom have only been in Rome for a few days. This is why so many electors (particularly those from America) from +Dolan to +George have urged a longer pre-Conclave period. They want more time to vet their peers, consider the issues facing the Church, and form their own coalitions. Don’t believe the media mem on this one. The later the Conclave, the less influence the Italians will have. The sooner the Conclave, the more influence the Italians will wield. There seems to be a consensus that a later Conclave is what is needed. Time will tell.

Update from today’s press conference: All the Cardinals have arrived and checked into the General Congregation. The last holdout, the Cardinal of Ho Chi Min City is expected to attend this evening’s Congregation meeting. There is still no Conclave date set.

I have decided, despite the limitations of time due to broadcast preps and interviews here to take up the diary started by my friend Father Richard John Neuhaus in 2005. During that Conclave, surrounded by the smoke of his favorite cigars, Father Neuhaus pounded out a daily diary in between our coverage. In his memory, and as a way of granting you access to the hidden side of this process, I have elected to follow his lead. I hope you enjoy this and be sure to send your reactions or questions to Raymond@raymondarroyo.com. You can also sign up for the diary via my website at raymondarroyo.com.

In the meantime, remember to catch the World Over and our Live From The Vatican daily show on EWTN throughout the interregnum.

A SPECIAL GIFT FOR YOU

A SPECIAL GIFT FOR YOU

This Lent I have a special gift for you.

As many of you know the Truth and Life Dramatic Audio Bible, which I co-produced, is the only Catholic, word-for-word, dramatized audio Bible available anywhere. It is a powerful production that you will want to have and treasure for years to come. Here are some of the world's great actors: Michael York, Blair Underwood, Malcolm McDowell, Julia Ormond, Neal McDonough, Kristen Bell, Brian Cox, Sean Astin, Stacy Keach, John Rhys-Davies and many others performing the characters of Scripture like never before. It features the Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition of the Bible brought to life through compelling performances, incredible sound effects, and an original score.

This dramatic audio Bible which has been endorsed by the Vatican and enjoys the Imprimatur of the Archbishop of New York, Timothy Dolan.
Now, I want to give you a chance to experience this audio Bible FOR FREE. Below is a link to the entire book of Mark. Download it or listen on line and hear how the Bible was meant to be heard. Feel free to share the link with your friends and family.

After you have heard the incredible performances, come back to  Raymondarroyo.com, click on the banner at the top of the home page and order your own copy of The Truth and Life Dramatic Audio Bible.

Whether as an Easter gift, a personal devotional, or an addition to your family library, The Truth and Life Dramatic Audio Bible is a rare treasure. It contains the entire New Testament on 18 CDS and is available at bookstores everywhere including Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Borders.

Prepare to experience the New Testament like never before. I hope you enjoy it and let me know what you think at Raymond@raymondarroyo.com

Yours,

Raymond

THE TRUTH AND LIFE DRAMATIC AUDIO BIBLE

It is with great pride that I announce the release of my latest project, and a national audio event. 
The Truth and Life Dramatic Audio Bible is the only Catholic, word-for-word, dramatized audio Bible available anywhere.  It is a powerful production that you will want to have and treasure for years to come.  Here are some of the world's great actors:  Michael York, Blair Underwood, Malcolm McDowell, Julia Ormond, Neal McDonough, Kristen Bell, Brian Cox, Sean Astin, Stacy Keach, John Rhys-Davies and many others performing the characters of Scripture like never before.  This is the Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition of the Bible brought to life through compelling performances, incredible sound effects, and an original score. 

I am co-producer of this dramatic audio Bible which has been endorsed by the Vatican and enjoys the Imprimatur of the Archbishop of New York, Timothy Dolan. 

This is the audio Bible so many of you have been seeking.  Now it is yours to own.  For a complete preview, audio clips, and behind the scene video go here (truthandlifebible.com).  Then come back to Raymondarroyo.com, click on the banner above and order your copy of the special EWTN edition of The Truth and Life Dramatic Audio Bible.  It contains an exclusive CD of Mother Angelica's teachings on the Scripture that you will not want to miss. 

Whether as a Christmas gift, a personal devotional, or an addition to your family library, The Truth and Life Dramatic Audio Bible is a rare treasure.  It contains the entire New Testament on 18 CDS and is available at bookstores everywhere including Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Borders.  But the special EWTN edition is only available from the EWTN Religious Catalogue (here).

Prepare to experience the New Testament like never before.  I hope you enjoy it and let me know what you think at raymond@raymondarroyo.com.
Yours,
aymond      

Pope Benedict's UK Visit: The News Everybody Missed

The Pope saved the most important news of his visit to the United Kingdom for the end. Most people didn't even hear or see it. But I imagine Thomas More and John Henry Newman were smiling…

In November of 2009, Pope Benedict issued an extraordinary invitation to Anglicans disaffected by the changes taking place in their communion. The failure to affirm traditional Christian orthodoxy, the ordination of gays, the recent push to create female Anglican bishops have splintered the communion and caused heartbreak among both clergy and laity. Anglicans all over the world, parishes, and some dioceses had petitioned Rome to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church. As a "pastoral response" the Pope released his Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus. It allows individual Anglicans, clergy, even whole dioceses to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church while retaining their traditions, devotions, and liturgical practices.

The Archbishop of Canterbury (according to a few Anglican officials I recently spoke with) felt "ambushed by the constitution" and was frustrated that there wasn't more "consultation" before its release. Standing shoulder to shoulder with the Archbishop of Canterbury at an ecumenical prayer service at Westminster Abbey last week, the Pope made the case for "Christian unity" while recalling the real world challenges that block the way. The Pope said "fidelity" which demands obedience to God's "true word" was needed: "an obedience which must be free of intellectual conformism or facile accommodation to the spirit of the age." The Pope was clearly referencing the recent actions by the Anglican church which had “accommodated the spirit of the age” and created lasting barriers to the goal of full unity. But the Pope was so genial, and his delivery so mild, that the tough talk received little coverage and was largely ignored.

Then came the last speech of the Pope's visit, a meeting with his Bishops of England, Scotland and Wales. Near the end of the address, Pope Benedict made his intentions plain, and cast new light on all that he had said and done since his arrival in Britain. He told his bishops:

“I asked you to be generous in implementing the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus. This should be seen as a prophetic gesture that can contribute positively to the developing relations between Anglicans and Catholics. It helps us to set our sights on the ultimate goal of all ecumenical activity: the restoration of full ecclesial communion in the context of which the mutual exchange of gifts from our respective spiritual patrimonies serves as an enrichment to us all. Let us continue to pray and work unceasingly in order to hasten the joyful day when that goal can be accomplished.”

In other words, the Pope sees his Anglican"fast pass" into the Catholic Church as the fruit of ecumenism—a chance for Anglicans to return to the faith of their fathers before the Reformation and to protect themselves from an insidious secularism that is plaguing society at large and their communion in particular.

With this understanding, the symbolic and stated message of Pope Benedict during his British sojourn comes into stark relief. His meeting with the Catholic and Anglican bishops at Lambeth Palace, the home of the Archbishop of Canterbury for 800 years (the first 70 Archbishops of Canterbury were Catholics), his visit to Westminster Abbey (built by the Catholic king, Henry III and home to Benedictine monks until the Reformation), his moving speech at Westminster Hall (where Catholic martyrs Thomas More, Edmund Campion, Bishop John Fisher and others were condemned to death for their refusal to disavow their faith), and finally his beatification of the 19th century Anglican convert to Catholicism, Blessed John Henry Newman suddenly all seems one piece. Benedict’s visit was a stand against relativism in the heart of Europe and a plea for Britain to return to herself—to return to her Catholic roots. In a visit worthy of his predecessor, Pope Benedict, with precise language and symbols, communicated a message that will long be felt in England. It was a message controversial and reasonable, bold, and utterly faithful—a simple call, really: England, come home to what you were meant to be, and truly are.

Let me know what you think at Raymond@raymondarroyo.com

ANOTHER NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!

This week THE PRAYERS AND PERSONAL DEVOTIONS OF MOTHER ANGELICA becomes the fourth Mother Angelica book to land on the New York Times Bestseller list. It premiered this week on the very difficult to reach Advice/How To NYT Bestseller List. My thanks to all of you for your support and embrace of this precious book. As so many have already discovered, it is a wonderful Easter gift and one of those books that is sure to be a treasure for years to come. This collection is filled with Mother's original prayers and time tested devotions. For more background on the book check out the Must See Clip on the homepage (raymondarroyo.com).

Here for the first time you'll find:

* A complete prayer journal composed during Mother’s personal dark night of the soul
* Handwritten meditations offered to her sisters
* Two moving versions of the Stations of the Cross composed for her community
* Devotions and petitions from her early religious life

I hope you'll buy your copy today and urge your friends to do the same. And if you are in the DC area I will be at the Catholic Information Center later this week. Come see us, and drop by raymondarroyo.com for the latest.

Yours,

Raymond