A group of stubborn conservative Catholics is intensively lobby that the new pope is in line with their worldview – not choosing the funds in order to discredit the candidates who are not at will.
On the eve of the conclave, which begins in May, when the cardinals will enter the Sistin Chapel to choose the successor of Pope Franje, his opponents – both inside and out of the body who decides. The loudest among them challenge Franj, accusing him of hereses, betrayal of church values, and even calling him “antichrist”, due to his open attitudes on same-sex communities, divorce, migration and agreement with China’s appointment.
Conservative Catholic influensers and right-wing networks already promote candidates such as Kazakh Bishop Atanasia Schneider, known for the statement that a refugee wave is “mass invasion that leads to Europe’s Islamization.” In the game, the names of Cardinal Robert Sarah from Guinea and Raymond Burke from the United States – both known for the extremely tradistalist attitudes and support former US President Donald Trump.
A multi-year campaign against Francin ‘reforms lead well-organized and richly funded conservative Catholic organizations based in the United States. Among them stand out:
Napa Institute, known for luxury conferences in California wine spa centers, where conservative theology, sexual ethics and libertarian economies are combined.
Sophia Institute Press, which stands behind a traditionalist blog One Peter Five and has close connections to the Catholic TV network of EWTN – channels that have continuously criticized Franjo.
Red Hat Report, project launched in 2018. year, he used the former FBI agents to collect the cardinal records. Special target was the Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Francis’s right hand and the heir friend. In internal correspondence, it is stated that “should be globally known as a shame for the church.”
Financial problems in the Vatican additionally increase the possibility of external influence. According to Reuters, the deficit could be up to 83m euros. High Vatican Political Officials confirmed that the topic on the impact of rich American donors also mentioned during the so-called General congregations – cardinal meetings before the conclave.
Despite aggressive efforts, conservatives admit that “Konkclave mathematics” is not in favor of them. As many as 80 percent of the cardinal who will have appointed the Pope Francis, which makes the choice of candidates from the final right-handed candidate. Their strategy now comes down to blocking progressive candidates.
The lack of a charismatic leader is further weak. After the death of the Cardinal George Pella 2020. year, the conservative faction remained without a key strategist.
A significant role in this process also has digital lobbying. Candidates like Cardinal Luis Antonio Taglea, which is mentioned among favorites, but are the target’s online campaign. The right-wing site Lifetenews recently published a video in which the tag of the Karaoke John Lennon, which caused criticisms as “Imagine that there are no paradise”, which conservatives interpret as “teaching atheism.”
Nevertheless, once the cardinals enter an isolated Sistin Chapel, external influences are no longer possible. It will remain to see if many years of lobbying of extremely right Catholics give a concrete result – or Franji Close cardinals will continue his reform course.
(Vijesti.ba)
