After blogging about the rumours concerning the terna for the Westminster succession, I have finally had a chance to calm down enough to read the Telegraph article more carefully...Mandrake has heard this rumour about the shortlisted candidates from someone in Archbishop's House. Now, there are not many people who would have access to any such shortlist. It is not the sort of document to be left accidentally lying around under a pile of missalettes and newsletters. This suggests that the terna has been deliberately leaked...
Given that the Nuncio isn't based at Archbishop's House, we can safely conclude that he isn't the source of the leak...
I'm not entirely sure of the condition of fish in the state of Denmark, but something here reeks of political manoeuvring by members of the English and Welsh hierarchy. Are all the calls on the blogosphere for an appointment from outside the so-called "magic circle" making their Lordships a trifle nervous, perhaps?
'Are all the calls on the blogosphere for an appointment from outside the so-called "magic circle" making their Lordships a trifle nervous, perhaps?'.... writes Mulier Fortis.
ReplyDeleteMac - I for one, sincerely hope so! And I hope (and trust) that the many comments on the blogosphere are NOT falling on deaf ears at the Vatican!
I think the politics are a trifle more subtle. This is a way of letting "Spirit of Vatican II" Catholics that it isn't Eccleston Square which is letting them down, but that it will all be the fault of that old man in Rome if one of the three names isn't selected.
ReplyDeleteI for two.
ReplyDeleteIt will most certainly be Archbishop Nicholls. I was part of a delegation of the Latin Mass society which visited Cardinal Ratzinger whilst head of the CDF. During our meeting he mentioned that he had heard good things from Birmingham and it's archbishop. The fact that Nicholls name tripped so easily from his mouth would suggest that he is a strong candidate.
ReplyDeleteI presume the Diocesan Chapter of Canons, where there is one, puts together the Terna, rather than 'Archbishop's House', whatever that may mean?
ReplyDeleteOr am I just out of date with these things?
It is well known in Rome that these three names were on the first terna which was rejected. As I understand it, once the list has been rejected it does not have the seal of confidentiality. The list was rejected and the nuncio was asked to 'try again'.
ReplyDeleteFrom a Roman Friend