Pope: Runners and riders
Who will succeed the Pope? The process is under way to elect a successor to Benedict XVI, and here are 10 of the candidates in the running to lead the Catholic Church.
| Joao Braz de Aviz | Timothy Dolan | Marc Ouellet | Gianfranco Ravasi | Leonardo Sandri |
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In his own words | ||||
"Personally, I lived with a lot of anguish during the years of the birth of liberation theology. I came very close to abandoning my priestly vocation and even the church."
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On the conclave: "Please God, I'll be home by Palm Sunday. Not a day will go by that I will not think of you [in New York] with love, prayer and gratitude. If I'm in Rome longer, please send peanut butter. You can't get it there."
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On abortion: "A woman who has been raped has lived through a trauma and she needs to be helped. But she must do that with respect for the being that is inside her... There is already one victim. Must we have another one?"
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On faith and reason: "Faith answers why, science how."
On the music of Amy Winehouse: "In these words - so lacerating musically and thematically - emerge questions of common sense for all."
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"The role of women in the world has increased... They must have a much more important role in the life of the Church... so that they can contribute to Church life in so many areas which are now, in part, open only to men."
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Strengths | ||||
Strong Brazilian pastor with Curial credentials, has attempted to reach out to breakaway liberals
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Conservative, charismatic pastoral theologian with a strong personal touch and management record
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Intellectual, polyglot, widely travelled, knows Curia well, good reputation in Latin America
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Italian biblical scholar with a popular touch, media-savvy, Curial insider, praised by Benedict XVI for "brilliant" Lenten preaching
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Bridges old and new Church as Argentine with Italian roots, popular diplomat, strong Curial governance record as third in command under John Paul II
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Weaknesses | ||||
Perhaps seen as inconsequential in Rome, has failed to stem tide of Pentecostalism in Brazil
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American, never held Vatican job, doesn't speak fluent Italian
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Perceived as too cerebral to crack heads, lacks charisma, has described job as "nightmare"
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No pastoral experience, not well known, hasn't forged alliances within Curia, perhaps seen as too close to Benedict XVI's thinking
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Lacks intellectual and evangelical clout, as well as pastoral experience - has never been a diocesan bishop
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| Odilo Scherer | Christoph Schoenborn | Angelo Scola | Luis Tagle | Peter Turkson |
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In his own words | ||||
On the rise of Pentecostal churches: "What we need is a new evangelization... There are lots of rumours and stories that the Catholic Church is coming to an end. No - the Catholic Church is alive and well."
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On the priest rebellion: "If in our diocese here I would step out of line with the community of the Catholic Church then I would lead our diocese into a schism... All possibilities are open. I am counting on dialogue and co-operation."
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On the Church: "Our job now has to be to help people to remember God. People suffer from a kind of amnesia about God and we have to remind them to reawaken God in their hearts and in their minds."
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On the Church: "The Church must discover the power of silence. Confronted with the sorrows, doubts and uncertainties of people, she cannot pretend to give easy solutions."
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On sex scandals: "Because in several cultures in Africa, homosexuality, or for that matter, any affair between two sexes of the same kind are not countenanced in our society. That cultural taboo, that tradition has been there. It's helped to keep this out."
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Strengths | ||||
Bridges old and new Church as head of world's largest diocese (Sao Paulo) with German roots, seen as a moderniser but traditional doctrinally, knows Curia well
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Dominican theologian who is an urbane pastor and a polyglot, big on new evangelisation, tough on clerical sex abuse
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Italian, seen as a Ratzinger with a personal touch, strong pastoral background, started respected Muslim-Christian organisation Oasis
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Asia's front-runner, strong communicator, charismatic, described as having "a theologian's mind, a musician's soul and a pastor's heart"
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Africa's front-runner, seen as moderate theologically with a down-to-earth manner and sense of humour, has both pastoral and curial credentials
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Weaknesses | ||||
Seen as aloof and not charismatic, has failed to stem tide of Pentecostalism in Brazil, not seen as heavy-weight enough for leadership role
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Has struggled to manage rebellious Austrian priests, fell out with influential Cardinal Sodano, lacks Curial knowledge
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Been in spotlight for a long time, seen as too much of a continuity candidate when change is needed, has opponents in Curia
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No real Curial experience, seen as young and inexperienced
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Perhaps perceived as too liberal and lightweight for the big job, and has speculated openly about getting it - which is a big no-no in the College of Cardinals
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