Please explain to me the democratic process (if any) in the Holy See and the Catholic Church?
2007-09-05 17:26:18 · 6 answers · asked by Yahoo Sucks 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Technically, it's a constitutional theocracy.. yes, I just made that up...
But really it's called a , monarchical-sacerdotal state (priestly monarchy)
2007-09-05 17:36:26 · answer #1 · answered by Socratic Pig 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A Papal Conclave works like this:
+ A pope dies and is buried
+ The cardinals come to Rome for the conclave that will elect the new pope. The word conclave (Latin, *** + clavis, literally, "locked with the key") designates:
. • The place in a locked section of the Vatican where the cardinals elect a new pope.
. • The actual gathering of the cardinals.
+ The conclave begins 15 to 20 days after the pope's death.
+ The cardinals pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit during a Mass
+ The cardinals, sealed in the Sistine Chapel, vote every morning and afternoon.
+ A two-thirds majority plus one is required for election for the first 30 ballots. After that, a simple majority is required.
+ After each vote, they burn the ballots and add special chemicals to make the smoke white or black.
. • Black smoke means no new pope yet.
. • White smoke announces the election of a new pope.
+ The cardinals may elect any baptized male they wish. There have been occasions in the past where they have elected a layman. After their election, the layman has to be ordained priest and bishop.
+ They ask the one elected if he accepts. The moment he accepts, he is pope.
+ The pope chooses his “Papal” name.
+ Then the new pope is announced to the world.
For more information, see:
http://www.americancatholic.org/features/johnpaulii/transition/PapalConclaveCU.asp
http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/JohnPaulII/transition/CNS.asp
With love in Christ.
2007-09-06 01:46:16 · answer #2 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Holy See is a hierarchy, with the Pope as the supreme earthly leader, answerable only to God.
The Pope is probably the last absolute monarch on the planet, and no one has the authority to remove him from that position, but God.
2007-09-06 01:30:34 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, because Catholics don't vote in open elections for the pope, bishops or priests.
But within the Vatican, there is an electoral college that elects the Pope. I believe it is made up of the cardinals..
2007-09-06 00:32:45 · answer #4 · answered by maxmom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Pope is elected to his position by the Cardinals. So technically, it is a democracy. And a Pope can be deposed(impeached) by those who put him there.
2007-09-06 00:30:32 · answer #5 · answered by FRANKFUSS 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://www.vatican.va/phome_en.htm
The best answers are ones you find yourself!
2007-09-06 00:31:52 · answer #6 · answered by DrMichael 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋