CBCP on vote for next pope: Power play shouldn’t eclipse Church’s divinity

Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David  (ROY LAGARDE/CBCP NEWS)

MANILA, Philippines — Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David said Filipino Catholics must ensure that the “Church’s divinity is never eclipsed by power play.”

David made this appeal in a social media post on Friday amid speculation and online discussions as to who the College of Cardinals should select to succeed Pope Francis as the leader of the billion-strong Catholic Church.

“Like Christ who is fully divine and fully human, so too is his Body, the Church,” David said.

“We must constantly ensure that its divinity is never eclipsed by the crassness of human power play, or obscured by traditional pomp and regalia that, though part of our history, are not always aligned with the essence and mission of the Church,” he added.

David further said that the election of a pope is “not a political contest but a spiritual discernment,” stressing that the faithful must trust in the Holy Spirit.

“Creating or sharing campaign videos, even with good intentions, risks turning a sacred discernment into a worldly spectacle,” David said.

“It may inadvertently pressure or politicize the conscience of the electors, and distract from the silence and prayer needed to truly hear the voice of the Spirit,” he added.

READ: What goes on at the conclave and how next pope is elected

Conclave

Pope Francis passed away on April 21 at the age of 88.

His funeral mass is set for Saturday at 4 p.m. (Philippine time) and will mark the start of the nine-day mourning period known as the Novemdiales.

His successor will be selected through a conclave, a gathering of the College of Cardinals.

As of April 21, 135 of 252 cardinals are eligible to vote in a conclave to elect the next pope.

Although appointed by the pope to serve for life, a cardinal may only participate in a papal conclave if they are under the age of 80.

Among those eligible are David, who is also Kalookan Bishop; Manila Archbishop Jose Advincula; and Luis Antonio Tagle, who is former Manila archbishop and is now a member of the Roman Curia in the Vatican.

READ: CBCP exec: Instead of promoting, pray for Tagle, cardinal electors

Tagle is perceived as one of the popular choices as the next leader of the Catholic Church.

But, the CBCP has discouraged campaigning for Tagle.