Update: Adopt a Cardinal... Cardinal Policarpo, R.I.P.

Last year, in preparation for the conclave that elected Pope Francis, there was an internet initiative to "Adopt a Cardinal" in prayer leading up to the election.  I wrote about the experience last year, and through the divine providence of whatever random-number generator was running on the website's server, ended up praying with and for Cardinal José da Cruz Policarpo, Patriarch(-emeritus) of Lisbon, Portugal.  I had never heard of him, except that I was in Rome at the time of his (and Cardinal Bergoglo's, along with American Cardinals McCarrick, Egan, and Dulles) elevation to the sacred college in 2001.  I don't remember him being followed as a 'contender' but he did receive my prayers, and I have been watching out for his name in news and various communiques from the Vatican.  He retired to 'emeritus' status just after the conclave, not quite a year ago at this point.

I was reviewing my blog the other day from the entries just around the election of Pope Francis, and I came across the entry about praying for Cardinal Policarpo in preparation for the conclave.  I took a second to offer a quick "Glory be..." for him and his intentions and moved on.  Well, as it turns out, that day he was on retreat in Fatima when he died suddenly of a ruptured aortic aneurysm.  It is fascinating how, in God's providence, he provides for the needs of his people... to be inspired to offer a prayer to God for him out of the blue in his hour of need... how great is that?

In the pope's telegram to the current Patriarch of Lisbon, Francis eulogized Cardinal Policarpo: “It is with great sadness that I learnt the news of Cardinal José da Cruz Policarpo’s death and I wish to express my “union in prayer” with the Patriarch of Lisbon, the family of the deceased and all those who are mourning his unexpected loss. I entrust the beloved cardinal to the mercy of God, recalling his invaluable work in the various offices of the Holy See and my meetings with this pastor who was passionate in his search for the truth. He was solicitous in putting the gifts received from the Lord at the service of the people of God and of his brother bishops,” the Pope said. He thanked God for the generosity and zeal with which the Patriarch exercised his ministry throughout his life, noting especially his service at the Portuguese Catholic University.”

Interestingly, Cardinal Policarpo was the next cardinal junior to Cardinal Bergoglio, which means in the excruciatingly-precise stylings of Roman ceremonial, he probably sat next to the future pope every time the college formally got together, including at the conclave itself.  Knowing the clerical culture, while its rare that we be organized by seniority (I can't say that I've ever been lined up in such a way with my classmates since ordination day) when one is regularly subjected to a seating-chart, say by alphabetical order or what-not, you do tend to get to know your seatmates pretty well over the years and connect with them beyond the randomness of whatever external order was imposed upon your seating placement.  My point being that, for what it's worth, this Cardinal and Papa Francis probably got to know each other pretty well as they bumped around in slots 31 and 32 of the 2001 intake of 38+6 cardinals and probably rehearsed and exchanged ideas with each other during the breaks of whatever official meetings and conferences they attended through the years.

There were a number of controversies which followed the cardinal, as he was known to be of a more progressive stripe and said some things that might perhaps be considered, umm, 'intemperate to pious ears' regarding women's ordination and interpretations of the Fatima message, among other things.  To these critics, I'll simply say, de mortuis nisi nihil bonum.  I invite you to join me in praying for the repose of his soul--a particularly heavy responsibility all the faithful have for the leaders of the Church, whether we agree with them or not, whether we like them or not.  He was God's choice for his office and for his participation in the conclaves of 2005 and 2013.  By God's will, immense responsibility and accountability was placed on the shoulders of this man, and only by God's mercy will he be redeemed of any shortcomings he had in carrying out these responsibilities.  My point in bringing this up is not to criticize or invite criticism of His Eminence... he's happily beyond all that now.  I invite my lay readers to remember to treat your bishops and priests with kindness and forbearance as they negotiate the tricky waters of today's Church.  The challenge that faces most leaders in the Church is not simply in maintaining doctrinal orthodoxy or disciplinary order.  That's actually the easy part--anyone who is a cardinal has a proven track record of being a 'company man' and holding the line on these items.  The trick is in adequately teaching and inspiring the faithful to holiness which fulfills the teachings and disciplines of the Church... it's about not only about minds and wills, but of winning hearts and souls... and in doing so, keeping the flock gathered as one in the tempestuous waters of the world today.  We beg upon him, and all who dare to teach in the name of the Church, God's mercy for the lessons untaught and the examples unfulfilled due to simple error or human weakness.

Obsequies for Cardinal Policarpo were to be offered today in Portual.  May he rest in peace.