Forget the Politics: A Protestant’s Unfiltered Take on Choosing the Next Pope

It probably is unseemly for a Presbyterian to give advice to Catholics as it concerns the selection of their next Pope.  Hopefully, those reading this (Catholic or otherwise) will conclude my heart is in the right place, so here goes.

Pope Francis was barely dead when the chattering started about what qualities should guide the selection of the next Holy Father.  The division being between progressives and traditionalists.  Both sides seem quite certain their position on the subject is as God would have it, should He have a vote on the matter.

One of my favorite quotes of all time comes from Susan B. Anthony, the leader of the women’s suffrage movement in the United States.  “I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do, because I notice it always coincides with their own desires.”  This is a sentiment I pray all take into account on a matter as significant as who the next Pope will be.  From my perspective, Abraham Lincoln had it right when he said: “Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.”

For we Protestants, all of this matters quite a bit.  After all, the number of Catholics dwarfs all other denominations combined within the Christian faith.  Christianity is the most populous faith in the world, with 2.3 billion members.  Catholics represent 1.406 billion of the group.

One of my Protestant sisters (a devout Methodist) is deeply involved with the Catholic organization Cristo Rey, an education program dedicated to serving groups in need.  She, and my other sister (a devout Lutheran), both expressed their hope the next Pope be a progressive.  One of my sons is a somewhat recent convert to Catholicism (fully dedicated to the faith) and very much would like to see a traditionalist.  

This division is reflected in how they view both the secular issues (environment, social justice, LGBTQ matters, etc.) and theological matters (allowing the Latin Mass back into worship, ordaining women as priests, etc.).  You will not find me attacking either my sisters or my son.  This simply serves as a real life example of what we see playing out on worldwide scale. I have no doubt that all of my family wants to do the right thing.  

My prayer is simply that all those involved in the decision, and those who care deeply about it, humbly seek to be guided by the Holy Ghost, and let the chips fall where they may.  As the priest said in the movie Ruddy: “Son, in thirty-five years of religious studies, I’ve come up with only two hard, incontrovertible facts; there is a God, and I’m not Him.”

At the end of the day, it gets down to this.  What will be given priority?  Furthering a belief that a particular view (secular and theological) reflects being a faithful Catholic, or ignoring all of that until the College of Cardinals feels itself truly guided by the Holy Spirit to do something specific.

Years ago, I taught Sunday School to junior and senior high schoolers.  Often, I would remind them that I had concluded the reason we pray is because they are answered.  Not always when we want.  Not always with the answer we are hoping for.  However, I truly believe they do get answered.

The College of Cardinals is a group of deeply faithful men.  That does not mean, as history has demonstrably proven, other considerations might not become involved in the decision making.  I am not arguing about who got it “right” or “wrong,” in those instances, just that these considerations are distractions from putting money where our mouths are when it comes to trusting God.

Remember this: Putting your faith and trust in the Holy Ghost is never a bad idea.  Letting other considerations get in the way is never a good idea.  Prayers are with the College of Cardinals that the Holy Ghost guides them every step of the way.  What do you think?