“What’s the Holdup . . . ?”

. . . . was the question posed by CNN anchorwoman Erin Burnett yesterday on her TV show, Outfront. 

Erin Burnett of CNN challenges timing of Papal
Conclave.  (CNN TV Screenshot by Dick Bergeron.)

Burnett expressed concern about what she considers to be a delay in the beginning of the Conclave to elect a successor to Pope Benedict XVI who recently resigned.  She wants to be given a date specific – golly gee!

Ms. Burnett is a person who knows little or nothing about the Roman Catholic Papacy and the process of Papal succession.  Yet she demonstrated unabashed immaturity and a shortsighted willingness to put on display her bias and ignorance before an international TV audience.

“What’s the holdup?” she demanded, wanting to know why there is “no urgency in any way, shape or form.  “Why,” she continued petulantly [such a delay] “for one of the most powerful jobs on earth?”

It took her guest Raymond Arroyo, news director and lead anchor for EWTN News, the Global Catholic Network, to explain the background and politics of selecting the Pope within the Roman Catholic Church – especially  the informal process which precedes the official Conclave – as he attempted to soothe her dubious concerns and little-veiled annoyance.

Traditionally, upon the death of a pope, cardinals gather in Rome from around the world to settle down and to begin the process of naming a successor.  But, the Roman Curia –the central government of the RCC in Rome – already has a head start.  It needs to be slowed down a bit, because members of the Curia are the consummate insiders.

Raymond Arroyo of EWTN briefly explains pre-
Conclave activities to Erin Burnett. 
(CNN TV Screenshot by Dick Bergeron)

As Arroyo explained, cardinals who are arriving from outside of Rome want time to meet informally among themselves and to discuss issues, people, processes, and potential candidates in a very discreet and informal environment.  That unstated progression takes place before the start of the official Conclave.

Simultaneously, the cardinal electors are already taking part in General Congregation meetings.

Even now, cardinals are convening with one another, establishing relationships – some of which will carry over into lifelong friendships – and discussing major problems plaguing Catholicism. 

While this is going on, they are also taking the measure of some of their peers as papabile – potential popes.

When gathered in the Sistine Chapel there is no more discussion. Cardinals vote silently behind closed doors – twice in the morning and twice again in the afternoon, until white smoke billows from a chimney announcing to the world, Habemus Papam, Latin for “We have a Pope.” 

What snappy Erin Burnett of CNN didn’t know is that the Conclave effectively began days ago, even as she was asking, “What’s the holdup?,” of Raymond Arroyo.  He was simply too tactful to say that, hoping that she would pick up the clues.

Thanks for reading – enjoy your upcoming weekend.

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