Vatican
City, 23 February 2013
(VIS) – The freedom of the College of Cardinals, which, by law, is
responsible for providing for the election of the Roman Pontiff, has
always been strongly defended by the Holy See as the guarantee of a
choice based solely on deliberations directed toward the good of the
Church.
Over
the course of the centuries, Cardinals have had to face many forms of
pressures, exerted upon individual electors or upon the College of
Cardinals itself, that sought to influence their decisions, following
a political or worldly logic.
If
in the past the so-called powers, i.e., States, sought to influence
the election of the Pope, today there is an attempt to do this
through public opinion, which is often based on judgements that do
not capture the typically spiritual aspect of this moment that the
Church is living.
It
is deplorable that, as we draw closer to the moment that the Conclave
will begin and the Cardinal electors will be held—in conscience and
before God—to freely express their choice, there is a widespread
distribution of often unverified, unverifiable, or even completely
false news stories that cause serious damage to persons and
institutions.
Now as never before, Catholics are focusing on what is essential:
praying for Pope Benedict, praying that the Holy Spirit might
enlighten the College of Cardinals, and praying for the future Pope,
confident that the future of the barque of Peter is in God's hands.
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