Patriarch, But Without Chains
Much has been said recently about the past era when papal candidates would be brought forth in chains, unwilling to assume the papacy out of deep humility. Some today mourn the loss of that era. Yet they may not realize that, while such physical chains may no longer exist, we have bound ourselves with other, more subtle chains—man-made rules and human restrictions. Some of those who circulate these nostalgic stories may need to step back and consider God's will from His own divine perspective. What matters most in the choice of a patriarch is not external tradition or historical romanticism, but the sovereign will of God, who alone sees the heart and appoints His servants. Chains of a Different Kind Today, the Church has imposed new chains—not on the candidate, but on the process itself. Through the centuries, we have accumulated a host of human laws and regulations governing the papal election. These rules, though perhaps well-intentioned, can obstruct the free and sovereign ch...