It has been almost two hundred
years – since 1829 – since the Church has elected a Pope during Lent. As I grappled with the reality of
Popelessness, it dawned on me that this is the perfect season in which to deal
with the exigencies of a sede vacante
in the See of Peter.
Have you noticed how everyone has
been talking about what’s wrong with the Church? No, not the things non-Catholics,
non-Christians, and non-believers, as well as many hyperbolic commentators, think are wrong with the Church; those
are in fact exactly what is true, good, and beautiful about the Church because
they reflect the Faith that is our precious treasure. No, I am talking about the real things that are wrong with the
Church, the fruit of human weaknesses and systemic failures that cling to the
gown of the spotless Bride of Christ like stains on satin.
Even the Cardinals themselves have
been working and praying to make certain that they do not neglect or overlook
any of these shortcomings, to bring them to one another’s attention and to
identify their sources and origins. To sit and endure this parade of
shortcomings and have it discussed as if it were the defining characteristic of
our Church is humiliating and discouraging.
Two weeks ago I likened a Conclave
to the Sacrament of Penance, because of the way its unique grace occurs only in
a conversation among parties, none of whom know in advance what the others will
say, but all of whom are confident that the outcome will be the work of God. Well, now I see yet another resemblance.
This airing of the “dirty laundry”
of the Church Herself serves a similar purpose to the confession of a
penitent. In order to receive the remedy,
the wound must be identified; the illness must be diagnosed. That God be able to reveal His merciful
prescription, we must acknowledge our need for His salvation.
During both procedures –
Confession, and the General Congregations – it can be quite discouraging if we
allow ourselves to think for a moment that these sins, these shortcomings,
define and describe us. It is important
that even as we admit responsibility for these wrongs, evil is not our only
accomplishment, nor do our sins reveal our identity.
Though sinners, we are beloved
children of the living God, made in His image and likeness. Despite the shortcomings of the Church’s
all-too-human members, He makes that same Church into His own divine body, His
very presence on earth, the vessel of salvation.
Because we acknowledge our sins,
we experience God’s life-giving mercy, and are bathed in joy. Because the leaders of the Church acknowledge
their faults, they are able to recognize who is our new shepherd. The bells ring, the streets and squares fill,
and the Body of Christ rejoices in her new head on earth.
He that
goes forth weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of
joy, bringing his sheaves with him. (Psalm 126:6) After the somber hues of Lenten penance, the
Church bedecks herself in the festive raiment of Easter. After the relentless self-scrutiny of the sede vacante, we announce our great joy –
and, like a householder who brings out of
his treasure what is new and what is old (Mt 13:52b), show the world
all the blessings of our Church.
Habemus papam! Long live Pope Francis!
Monsignor Smith
