New Zealand Cardinal John Dew says he is relying on prayer – his own, and that of others – in helping him prepare for the “immensity” of the task of being one of 133 people about to elect Pope Francis’ successor. Source: NZCBC.
Cardinal Dew will tomorrow become the third New Zealander to enter a conclave, following Cardinal Reginald Delargey (two conclaves in 1978) and Cardinal Thomas Williams (2005).
He said yesterday the daily Masses of mourning, which concluded on Sunday, and the daily meetings of the cardinals, have narrowed their focus on the task at hand.
“I think the fact that we are all together, and we’re talking about the one thing – electing a new bishop of Rome, electing a successor of St Peter – has really helped all of us,” Cardinal Dew said.
One of the main aspects of the cardinals’ daily meetings has been sharing their perspective on the needs of the Church and the world, and the qualities a pope would possess to meet those needs.
“Listening to what everyone is saying and the kind of person they’re looking for, and the needs of the Church, it’s been quite inspiring, really, to hear the passion that people have for spreading the work of the Gospel,” Cardinal Dew said.
The former Archbishop of Wellington has addressed the cardinals on that question, and he spoke about Pope Francis’s “gift to the world” of the Jubilee Year of Hope.
“I think one of the things that a new pope will need to do is to continue to try and give hope to the world,” Cardinal Dew said.
“But as well as being the leader of the Church, he needs to be a world leader who’s prepared to speak out and, in this world of disinformation and misinformation and sometimes lies, someone who stands up for the truth.”
Pope Francis was someone who helped offer hope and joy to the world. Cardinal Dew hopes his successor can do the same.
Finding that successor among a sea of faces and names is causing Cardinal Dew some “apprehension”, but the process being “steeped in prayer” is giving him a sense of comfort as the preparation for the conclave continues.
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Prayer carrying Cardinal Dew towards start of conclave (NZCBC)
