NationStates Jolt Archive

Matthew Cardinal Walsh stood patiently waiting for his audience with the Holy Father. The flight from Citadel Excalbia had been smooth and Matthew had already settled into his temporary lodgings. He felt rested and ready to go. Also, to be honest, he felt a little nervous.

Of course, he had known Leo XIV when he had been Guido Cardinal Gambini, though not that well; the two had not been close. But, the papacy changes the man, and this would be Matthew’s first private meeting with Leo XIV. He was anxious to get a feeling for the new pope and see just how far he could go with his ideas on Christian unity.

There were only three people in the Vatican intimate enough with Leo XIV to really know the personal habits he had established since his elevation. One was his valet, Marco. One was his Confessor, Father Idris Asmeli. The last was his Personal Secretary, Father Iulio Kwan.

Only these three knew how much time the Pope spent at his prie-dieu, in prayer that was sometimes so absorbing that it rendered him entirely unaware of his surroundings. It was Leo’s habit to retire thus in the mid-afternoon hour when most of Rome was indulging in sièste. He had sternly commanded Monsignor Kwan, however, to be certain that he was on time for the later afternoon appointments that were now a regular part of his schedule. So the Monsignor showed no hesitation, when his polite tap on the door received no response, in opening it and treading noiselessly over to where the Pontiff knelt, his face lowered over clasped hands, eyes focused inward and face remote. Gently, he laid a hand on the white-clad shoulder.

“Holy Father,” he said quietly.

Leo’s head came up. He crossed himself, with a tiny sigh of resignation, and got to his feet. “Grazie, Iulio.” Deliberately—part of the ritual that returned him to the here-and-now—he smoothed his cassock, and aligned the zucchetto on his balding pate. “This afternoon we begin with….?”

“Cardinal Walsh, Holy Father. He arrived from Excalbia yesterday. The staff at Unity have already given him the tour, I believe.”

“Ah, yes. Cardinal Walsh. Excellent.”

With a little nod to his Secretary, the Pope strode in to the study where the new President of the Pontifical Council on Christian Unity awaited him.

Cardinal Walsh felt his heart jump just a bit as the doors opened and the Pope walked into the study. Suddenly, standing here in the Vatican before the Pope, his appointment took on a greater reality. He become even more conscious of his own excitement, as well as his own feelings of undertaking a great responsibility.

Walsh knelt and kissed the Pope’s ring.

“Your Holiness,” he said rising, “I am sincerely honored by this opportunity to serve our Lord and His Church. The need for unity among all true Christians has never been greater than in these trying days.”

“As you know, Holy Father, this has one of my chief concerns – ecumenism is an important part of civil society in Excalbia – and I have many ideas for the Council. However, I wish first to receive from you, Holiness, your vision for the work of the Council and the direction you see us taking with regard to Christian unity.”

Leo gestured for Walsh to rise, and gave him the Apostolic Blessing.

"Please, please... seat yourself. Be comfortable." He suited action to words, settling in his own chair.

When they were both seated, he laid the fingertips of one hand against the other, elbows on the chair arms, and canted his head slightly, a somewhat rueful tilt to the corner of his mouth.

"Vision, you ask?"

He sighed.

"That is a hard question to respond to, your Eminence. In truth, I have never been a man of much vision, at least as I understand the reference. My concerns have been more... pedestrian."

"However, I shall do my best to share the thoughts I have had regarding the Council's mission, and its place in the Church's mission overall."

He paused, as though gathering his thoughts, and his eyes, which had been focused on Walsh's face, strayed into a middle distance, as though he were reading something written on the far wall.

"Christian unity... always a goal, but ever-elusive. And in these times, perhaps, more desirable and more elusive than ever."

Abruptly, his eyes returned to the Cardinal's face.

"Your Eminence is of course aware of the many historical efforts to promote unity, of our successes and their limitations, as well as the failures."

"True Christian unity has not been achieved since the days of the first Disciples—indeed, the Scriptures themselves chronicle the early disunities of the Church. With the Donation of Constantine, and the rise of the Church as a secular institution, we came to regard the issue of unity, perhaps, as too simplistic. Two-dimensional. I would like to think that we have grown beyond that."

"However, one does not overcome the legacy of over a millenium in a few centuries, especially after the abuses of the Counter-Reformation." The Pontiff shrugged regretfully. "And of course, the Church is far too convenient as an opponent for some who would build power using their own versions of ‘Christian’ leadership."

"The problems we face are numerous. Anti-Catholic bigotry has been cycling back up again, as it frequently does in times of political uncertainty. Nothing new there, but the very sameness of it, I think, indicates that it is not likely to yield to any attempts on our part to promote dialogue with the extremists."

"What concerns me more is the rise of the irrational and spiritually barren cults, proliferating with some rapidity, especially as contact with nonhuman sentient species continues. Cults of personality, such as Sirithilism, are one aspect of this. Without a coherent theology, without a teleological or epistemiological grounding, they cut believers adrift in a mishmash of moral relativism and self-delusion."

"Even more damaging, I believe, is the pernicious substitution of philosophy for religion—setting up economic and political theories in place of God, as in the case of this "Invisible Hand" cult."

"It is natural, in times of change and uncertainty, for humanity to reach beyond our own limited abilities and perceptions for answers. Indeed, the Divine Plan manifests itself clearly in that which challenges us to grow spiritually."

"Then, too, it is natural for the impulse to seek God in new ways, to meet new challenges; to result in trivial cults and religious fads. We must not lose our sense of perspective, in this. But the fact that so many have looked for answers outside of existing faith traditions—and are apparently satisified with such trivial, shallow, two-dimensional answers—"

The Pontiff shook his head, sadly. "This does not speak well of how our existing faith traditions communicate with souls searching for answers. And the disunity among Christians is, as always, an aspect of that inadequacy."

"I have no specific "vision" for your Council, your Eminence—only a hope that perhaps our Church can provide a context and a voice for Christian faith traditions who share such concerns. Souls wander in these barren wildernesses, and we Christians, who bear the inexpressibly precious Word of God, can light the way out of such darkness. Greater unity can lift that Light higher, allow the circle of radiance to shine brighter and larger."

He smiled, suddenly. "Of course, there is always an obverse to the coin—we seek Christian unity to avert the tragedy of souls wandering lost in these barren cults; but the increasing sway of the cults provides a powerful impetus to put aside differences and seek greater unity, as well."

"I chose you for this office, your Eminence, because I believed you to be a man who can illuminate our challenges effectively, and powerfully. A man who can, while maintaining the strictest guard over the purity of our own magisterium and the Deposit of Faith that falls only unto us, still meet our fellow-Christians on a broad middle ground of common concern, and turn the challenges of our time to the purpose of greater unity."

"How does it seem to you, brother?" he asked, in the ancient formula ('Quid vobis videtur, Frater?')

Cardinal Walsh nodded as he listened to the Holy Father. At several points, Walsh muttered words of agreement. When the Pope had finished Walsh swallowed and studied the face of the new pontiff. Finally, he nodded. “You have framed the situation perfectly, Holiness. You say that you have no specific vision, yet in your words I see a clear vision – one that to which my heart has already been drawn.”

Walsh leaned forward in his seat, towards the Holy Father. “I have been reviewing some of our past efforts at ecumenical dialogue - Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission, the 1999 Roman Catholic-World Lutheran Federation Joint Declaration, the Catholic-Orthodox Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue and the suspended Roman Catholic-Southern Baptist Dialogues. The common features I have seen in these past efforts are limited progress on theological issues – such as our joint understanding with the Lutherans on justification – and a near total failure to make progress on questions of ecclesiastical authority.

“Now, I believe, is not the time for another attempt to fully reconcile deeply held theological beliefs or to fully bring protestant bishops under the See of Rome. Both of these works are important and should be sustained, but there is, as you observed, Holiness, more immediate and practical matters to address.

“Christianity appears to be, if not under siege, then at least under attack in a way it has been for centuries. The challenges of new religions, secularism, cults and new philosophies, coupled with slanders and anti-faith bigotry, have been steadily eroding the voice of the Church in the world.

“In responding to these challenges, I would like to pursue a fresh dialogue of cooperation and joint action with our fellow Christians. While the formal dialogues of the past have been insufficient, I see hope in many of the informal steps that have been taken among the faithful across the denominational boundary.” Walsh slipped a piece of paper out of his book. “Recently, I was reading a book by the American evangelical Charles Colson. In it, he wrote, ‘Those who are called of God, whether Catholic or Protestant, are part of the same Body. What they share is a belief in the basics. All of us who are Christians come together regardless of the difference of our confessions and our traditions and make common cause to bring Christian values to bear in our society. When the barbarians are scaling the walls, there is no time for petty quarreling in the camp.’ Holiness, I think, as you observed, the barbarians, if you will, are on the walls, and it is time for Christianity as a whole to respond.”

Walsh placed the paper back in the pocket hidden in his robes and took a deep breath. “Holiness, based on your words and my own analysis, I would propose that the Council take a two track approach. On one hand, we should continue to meet with the Protestants on a regular basis to discuss the thorny details of theological differences and ecclesiastical authority. On the other, I would like to see us call a special conference of Christian leaders to address the common challenges we face and to explore avenues of joint action, taking as model some actions that have already been taken by the faithful themselves. How does it seem to you, Holy Father?”

Leo nodded occasionally, as Walsh spoke, and chuckled faintly at the quote, although he also nodded.

“Excellent. I am indebted to your Eminence. So often, since my election, I have had to simply trust Divine Providence that my decision is the correct one… It is most refreshing to be able to feel confident that I selected the right man for this assignment.’

The creases at the corners of his eyes deepened slightly—almost a smile. “I am a busy man, your Eminence, and cannot do myself the luxury of staying closely in touch with the efforts of every Curial office and Papal Commission. That does not mean, however, that I am less than keenly concerned with the work you are doing for the Church. When you need me, do not hesitate to ask for an appointment. And if you can manage to update Monsignor Kwan occasionally on the progress of your efforts, I can assure you that I will review those updates with interest.”

“One thing I can do for you, certainly, is provide an Apostolic Letter for distribution in support of your efforts, once you have a plan of action detailed for your work in the upcoming years, especially this conference. When you have the framework fleshed out a bit, schedule an appointment, and we will discuss the terms of that Letter.”

“I might also suggest that you will find your colleague Cardinal Hume a most valuable resource in many ways. He has provided capable leadership to the Council for InterReligious dialogue for a number of years, which gives him experience in both working out conferences with a wide variety of parties, and managing the Curial bureaucracy—which will not be the smallest of the challenges facing you, I assure you.”

(OOC: This is certainly true, since outgoing correspondence of a politically sensitive nature—which would include some of the major Christian leaders, of course—must be passed through the Secretariat of State; the budget for the Council’s activities has to be approved by the Prefecture for Economic Affairs; the various offices that deal with facilities and services have to approve conference arrangements and state visits, ad infinitum—and each one most jealously guards their prerogatives, and each one has, ah, “Italian” notions of timeliness and efficiency.)

“And as he is also Dean of the College of Cardinals, his office can assist you with the logistics of finding living accommodations and other facilities appropriate for your Eminence’s residence in Rome.”

(OOC: Sorry for the gap – I’ve been busy at work!)

Cardinal Walsh listened intently to the Pope and nodded along with him. When the Pontiff had finished speaking, Walsh smiled.

“Thank you, Holy Father. I will begin working with my staff on a detailed plan straight away. And, I will certainly turn to Cardinal Hume for his advice and guidance. Once the plan is sufficiently polished – and has been properly shepherded through Curial bureaucracy, I will schedule an appointment to present it you, Holiness.”

Walsh, sensing that the interview had concluded, stood. “Thank you for your time, Holiness. I know others must be waiting for attention…”

(OOC, Part 2: I will come up with some concrete ideas and TG them to you – that is Hume – IC for review and advice. Cheers.)