Pope Francis to resign and Hungarian Cardinal Erdő to succeed?
For months, speculation has been rife as to whether the head of the Catholic Church would resign due to his deteriorating health. According to a prominent Catholic portal, Pope Francis could well name Cardinal Péter Erdő as his successor. Continue reading below for more information.
The Archbishop of Esztergom and Budapest celebrated his 70th birthday last month, reports Blikk. He could be one of the top contenders for the papacy, according to the Christian Herald. However, another candidate for the ailing Pope Francis, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, could be a better fit for the current Pope’s liberal views than the Christian conservative Péter Erdő.
Hungarian Cardinal Erdő
Péter Erdő, Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, Primate of Hungary, was born on 25 June 1952. His ordination took place in Budapest on 18 June 1975. Between 1975 and 1977 he served as chaplain in Dorog, and in 1976 he received a doctorate in theology with summa cum laude at the Academy of Theology. From 1977 to 1980, he studied canon law at the Institute of Canon Law of the Pontificia Universitá Lateranense Utriusque Iuris in Rome, on a scholarship from the Pontifical Hungarian Institute, and completed his doctorate in canon law in 1980.
Cardinal Erdő is considered a traditionalist who respects the celebration of the Latin Mass. But Cardinal Erdő is also respected by liberals like the Pope, suggesting he could be a unifying force within the Church. Pope Francis has already appointed Cardinal Erdő as the “relator general” of the Third Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. The Hungarian cardinal has also been vocal in his support for outreach to Orthodox Christians which may be significant given the huge numbers of Ukrainians currently in Hungary.
It is important to see what Cardinal Erdő would represent as Pope. Pope St. John Paul II was considered instrumental in the collapse of communism in central and eastern Europe. The Polish Pope’s election helped spark the peaceful end of communism in his native country. Cardinal Erdő has shown some sympathy towards Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Effects of a Hungarian Pope
It is clear that the election of Cardinal Erdő as Pope would help Orbán further his political agenda. During the height of the migrant crisis in the EU, Cardinal Erdő was strongly siding with Hungarian conservative officials. Later in 2019, however, Cardinal Erdő shared some of his thoughts with Válasz Online. During this interview, he was showing a change of heart, directly challenging the views of Viktor Orbán. The Hungarian Cardinal said, “can a country, a continent, be called Christian?”
Seeing the above mentioned, the relationship between the Hungarian Cardinal and the Prime Minister is difficult to define. What is probable is that Erdő’s appointment as Pope would likely lead to further religious divide within Europe.
Source: blikk.hu, valaszonline.hu, catholicherald.co.uk
Cardinal Peter Erdo, of Hungary – “deep rooted” conservative, and at a time, the on-going NEED of the Holy Roman Catholic Church – to be progressive, up to pace, in the 21st century, the Conclave entrusted to appoint the next Pope – lisening to the Holy Spirit, should “pass on by” – Cardinal Peter Erdo.
Erdo – “heroes” – Saint Pope John Paul 11 and Emeritus – Pope Benedict XV1.
To read that Cardinal Peter Erdo – is thought to be “Papabili” or a potential Pope- a possible contender for the next Vicar of Christ and Successor to the throne of St.Peter – presents challenges, that if he got the nod – the “white smoke” out of the chimney of the Sistine Chapel – the much needed progress – moving forward of The Holy Roman Catholic Church would not be acheived under his Pontificate.
Cardinal Peter Erdo, not to the Catholic Family – of Hungary – does not exhibit a compelling charm, but “Old Guard” post Vatican 11 – in another “time ball” of the Holy Roman Catholic Church, that history tells us, still to be CLEANSED – in the DNA – of the Higher ranks of the Catholic Church, aspecially those refered to as “Princes of the Church, which Cardinal Peter Erdo is part.
History – those who enter a Conclave, thinking they will get the “nod” – suffer great Disappointment.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle – the Filipino Cardinal – bit of a “new wave” – in the house of the Princes of the Church – that he exercising a compelling charm to others – which inspires – takes people with him – along for a journey, a ride and new Discoveries- in there Faith.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle – is seriously – Papabili.
St Anthony of Padua (1195 -1231) said :
“Men will surrender to the Sprit of the Age.
They will say that if they had lived in our day, faith would be easy and simple.
But in there day, they will say, things are complex ; the Church must be bought up to date and made meaningful – to the days problems”.
Peter Erdo – Cardinal such charisma – he displays.
Need to make a confession – on that comment.
Throughout his Priesthood, back into his days as a Seminarian – Perter Erdo – the personification of an “old world” Catholic Conservative.
Had not Vatican 11 rightfully occurred – circa 1963 – Peter Erdo would have been in his ELEMENT , in those decades of the Holy Roman Catholic Church – that he embraced & practiced – in style, within his Priestly Ministry.
Peter Erdo – still is locked into the PAST – the Conservative approach – ideas & philosophy, that are NOT – the way forward needed in the 21st century and beyond, for the Universal Church – The Holy Roman Catholic Church.
What a time if Cardinal Jozsef Mindszenty – had been our present Cardinal.
He would have taken postion(s) – voiced opinions – call it Church v Politics but Saint Pope John Paul 11 – “took up the cross” – led from the front, not freightened to get his Cassock – bloodied & dirtied – for his FIGHT – in the name of God, against Communism.
Peter Erdo – deep rooted Conservatism, claims a “hero” Pope being Saint Pope John Paul 11 and highest of respect for Emeritus-Pope Benedict XV1 – but these Holy Men, in particular – Saint Pope John Paul 11 – has not “rubbed” off into the DNA of Peter Erdo.
What does Cardinal Peter Erdo – think of the way – Hungary is being Governed?
Remembering that 43% of born & bred Hungarians – are Baptised into the Holy Roman Catholic Church of Hungary.
Does Peter Erdo think – there is abuse of Human Rights – Peoples Freedoms under Democracy – that in FACT – the people of Hungary continue to live under a Government – that is Dictatorial ?
Does Peter Erdo agree or disagree that – Social Inequality and Social Equality – statistical factual data suggests – these are RAMPANT – in Hungary ?
REMEMBER : Cardinal Peter Erdo – of Hungary, that the Holy Roman Catholic Church of Hungary – they are – the LARGEST land owners in Hungary.
Healthy – little bank account.
Saint Pope John XX111 – said in answer why he had called a Second Vatican Council – it had been 95 years between councils, to which the Pope replied :
“Time to open up the Windows and let in Fresh Air”.
Cardinal Peter Erdo – conservatism in it-self – would not be a “needed” breath of FRESH air, to the Holy Roman Catholic Church – if at the next conclave of Cardinals – he got the “white’ smoke single – coming out of the Sistine Chapel chimney.
Surely – we don’t want to go back – to Latn classes again ///
“In nominine Patris et Filii, et Spritus Sancti ” – Amen.