Talks of having a first woman cardinal in Vatican have
been spreading like wildfires and rumors are swirling around that
reformist Pope Francis could break a canon law of 1917 that says only
ordained men can take the role.
And while speculations on Pope Francis's action
on the widely-discussed issue in the hierarchy is being awaited, a
popular Irish theologian has been tipped to become the first woman
cardinal.
The popular candidate is Linda Hogan, a 49-year-old Irish married woman
and theology professor. She is also a founding member of the
International Association for Catholic Social Thought.
"Along with Professor Hogan, two candidates are from Brazil, three are
African, one is Australian, another German and the ninth is from the
Philippines," the Daily Mail writes.
"Were one of these women to be elected to the role by Pope Francis, they
would become the most prominent and influential female in the Catholic
Church, and could one day be elected to succeed the man who bestowed the
honour upon them." the Daily Mail added.
In the 900-year history of the church, a woman is yet to be appointed as
cardinal and having a liberal-minded Pope, who had called on women to
be more active in church, it may not take long to have a woman cardinal
under his watch.
Cardinals serve as principal advisers and assistants of the Pope in the
administration of the affairs of the Catholic church.
They belong to the
exclusive College of Cardinals.
According to the Catholic news agency,
"Provisions regarding their selection, rank, roles, and prerogatives
are detailed in Canons 349 to 359 of the Code of Canon Law of the
Catholic Church.'"
In a television interview with New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan, he
revealed that it is theoretically possible that a woman can be appointed
in the college of cardinals.
He said that Pope John Paul has
entertained the idea when somebody told im that "'You should make Mother
Teresa of Calcutta a cardinal.' And the pope said, 'I asked her. She
doesn't want to be one.'
Cardinal Dolan said that if Pope John Paul had considered appointing a
woman cardinal, it would seem that Pope Francis would likewise consider
it.
"Speculation began last month when an article in a Spanish newspaper
written by Juan Arias, a former priest who writes from Brazil, claimed
that the idea 'is not a joke. It's something that Pope Francis has
thought about before: naming a woman cardinal.' irishcentral.com writes.
"Arias quoted an unnamed Jesuit priest (Francis is himself a Jesuit) who
said: 'Knowing this pope, he wouldn't hesitate before appointing a
woman cardinal… And he would indeed enjoy being the first pope to allow
women to participate in the selection of a new pontiff."
One obstacle that could hinders Pope Francis in appointing a woman
cardinal is the canon law requirement on ordination.
But some religious
scholars say this can be done by allowing women to be deacons, said to be a level just below the priesthood.