http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/02/20132225308605800.html
Indonesian cardinal to miss papal election
Announcement comes as Benedict XVI considers changing rules governing
conclave to fast track election of his successor.
Last Modified: 22 Feb 2013 10:09
During the conclave, cardinals are not allowed to communicate in any way
with the outside world [EPA]
The head of Indonesia's Catholic church has announced that he will not
participate in the election of the next pope, citing his ailing health.
Cardinal Julius Riyadi Darmaatmadja, 78, told Hidup Katolik, an
Indonesian Catholic magazine, that his eyesight was failing and that he would
not be able to handle reading the "texts, materials, rules, and so on"
necessary for the event.
"My strength had deteriorated, my ability to read weakened. Those tasks
require strength, speed and agility," he said.
"I ask forgiveness from the Catholic Church of Indonesia, that I cannot
represent [the country] in this very important event."
Darmaatmadja's decision brings down to 116 the number of cardinals below
the age of 80, who are qualified to vote for the successor of Pope Benedict XVI.
Benedict is scheduled to officially resign on February 28 at 19:00 GMT.
Earlier in the week, the Vatican said the pope may change rules governing
the conclave that will secretly elect his successor, a decision that could fast
track the meeting of cardinals in Rome.
Father Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman, said on Wednesday that
Benedict was considering issuing a "Motu Proprio," a personal document, which
has the force of church law, in regards to the changes.
The rule changes could mean that the conclave could start before March
15, which is currently the earliest it can begin.
The Vatican appears to be aiming to have a new pope installed before Palm
Sunday on March 24, so he can preside at Holy Week services leading to Easter
on March 31.
Turf advantage
Some in the church believe that an early conclave would give an unfair
advantage to cardinals already in Rome and
working in the Curia, the Vatican's central administration.
"A short period before a conclave helps the curial cardinals in Rome
operating on their home turf," said Father Tom Reese, an expert at Georgetown
University and author of several books on the Vatican.
"The longer the pre-conclave period, the more time non-curial cardinals
have to talk to each other and to get to know each other.
"The longer the period prior to the conclave, the less dependent outside
cardinals are on the curial cardinals."
During the conclave, cardinals are not allowed to communicate in any way
with the outside world, nor are they allowed to listen to radio, watch
television, make phone calls or use the internet.
Benedict has hand-picked more than half the men who will elect his
successor. The rest were chosen by the late Pope John Paul II.
A number of cardinals have said they would be open to the possibility of
a pope from the developing world.
"I can imagine taking a step towards a black pope, an African pope or a
Latin American pope," Cardinal Kurt Koch, a Swiss Vatican official, told the
Reuters news agency in an interview last week.
Of the 116 electors left, 61 are from Europe. Italy, the largest national
group, will have 28 cardinals, up from 20 at the last conclave in 2005.
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