Column How about a cardinal who is mamabile?
By KRIS BERGGREN
The recent gathering of cardinals in
Rome has come and gone. I suppose it was quite something to see a giant swell
of red hats in waves of motion: standing, sitting, kneeling in unison. I heard
on the radio that all but 10 of these superannuated shepherds were appointed by
John Paul II, our current shepherd supremo. And the big buzz, of course, is
that from their ranks our next Holy Father will emerge to herd us into the
brave new world of Catholicism in the 21st century. So I know I wasnt
alone in seizing the moment to re-assess the pope-ability (a tremendously loose
translation of that chic Italian term, papabile, or good pope material)
of the members of that venerable body of ecclesial field marshals.
Now, with all due respect to the current occupant of the Vatican,
Ive been thinking a lot about this idea of being papabile.
(Thats pronounced pah-pah-bee-lay, for those like me who dont speak
Italian.) Imagine a job description: Low pay, fast-paced position for patriarch
with a firm sense of authority. Must like to hear own voice echo in large
stadiums and plazas; ride through crowds in enclosed vehicle (claustrophobes
need not apply); ability to bless large quantities of rosaries. Command of
world languages, endearing human interest stories in personal background
desirable but not necessary. Moderate misogynist tendencies tolerated.
Benefits: free housing, liberal -- make that generous -- clothing allowance,
transportation and meals provided.
Probably most of those cardinals fit this job description pretty
well. In order to narrow the candidate pool down a bit perhaps we ought to take
a fresh look at the qualifications that will make the best next pope. I propose
we look for, well, the mamabile.
Thats right. Lets ferret out the ones who have the
qualities that make good mothers. Because then wed really be getting
somewhere. Mamabile know how to apply the Band-Aids and kiss the owies. They
also know when to call the doctor because the infections not getting
better. Mamabile can manage sibling rivalry and help the parties find common
ground with a sense of fairness and discretion. Mamabile can stretch
whats in the fridge at the end of the week to come up with dinner or
organize an impromptu potluck. Loaves and fishes anyone? No one goes hungry at
mamas house.
Mamabile could handle ecclesiastical egos and portentous power
mongers in nothing flat: Now listen here, young man, you will take a time
out until you can think of a way to include everyone in your game, do you hear
me? Mamabile would invite Joan, Theresa, Elizabeth, Diana and Jeannette
over for coffee and tell them each to invite a friend. Theyd solve the
churchs problems before you could say encyclical.
Mamabile have written the book about servant leadership: They care
about religious education in parishes because theyve taught the classes
and tried to make faith interesting to young people who would rather be outside
playing ball or home watching TV. They care about who reads our sacred
scripture on Sundays and whether inclusive language is used, because they know
that words can hurt or heal. They care about how the church tends to the pain
of the people who are divorced, gay and lesbian, or doubtful about the one true
faith, because these are their sons and daughters, welcome at their dinner
tables and family holidays. They care about the future of the church as a
eucharistic community because they know just how important mealtimes are to
maintaining spiritually and emotionally healthy families. Yet theyre not
above letting someone else do the cooking now and then.
We have some precedent here: In 1961, John XXIII -- now there was
mamabile -- actually wrote an encyclical called Mater et Magistra
(Mother and Teacher). Forty years later we are still working
to live these social teachings, to put global interdependence before the
hegemony of industrialization, to work for the spiritual and physical welfare
inherent in prioritizing the common good over promoting Western
individualisms emphasis on material prosperity, and to have the courage
and courtesy to sit down at the same table with those with whom we differ,
whether in our church family or our political neighborhood.
So, short of praying for a reincarnation of Angelo Roncalli, how
about we rewrite the job description to really draw the mamabile out of the
formidable pews of St. Peters: Wanted! World-class servant leader. Must
work well with persons of diverse faiths. Willingness to lay down rhetorical
arms. Must wash windows in order to see out clearly. Fluency in language of the
heart. Able to live in two cities as stipulated by the Second
Vatican Council. Experience riding in parades and waving from balconies not
necessary, will train.
Kris Berggren writes from Minneapolis. She can be reached by
e-mail at bergolk@earthlink.net
National Catholic Reporter, August 10,
2001
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