Al-Rahi Elected Assistant to Vatican's 'Interim Pope'
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi was elected Thursday as one of three cardinals who will serve as assistants to Vatican number two Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the camerlingo or chamberlain who will be "interim pope" until a successor to Benedict XVI is found.
The three cardinals were elected for a three-day mission related to the preparations that will preceed the conclave that will elect the new pope.
“We are preparing a meeting of all Orthodox and Catholic Patriarchs of the MidEast to promote unity among Christians and deal with the problems and suffering that we share in this difficult moment in history,” al-Rahi said on Wednesday evening from the Vatican.
The camerlengo has traditionally had the role of officially certifying the death of a pope.
He is also charged with destroying the "Fisherman's Ring" -- a gold signet ring specially cast for each new pope -- originally to prevent forgery during the Sede Vacante. Today its destruction in the presence of the cardinals at their first gathering of the Sede Vacante simply symbolizes the end of a papacy.
The Vatican on Thursday said cardinals had not yet decided on a start date for a conclave to elect a new pope after the resignation of Benedict XVI.
"There has been no decision on a date for the conclave," Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said after the latest in a series of meetings of cardinals from around the world that began on Monday.
Lombardi also denied a media report that St Peter's Basilica had been booked for a special pre-conclave mass on Monday.
Divisions have emerged between some cardinals who want more time for pre-conclave discussions on the reforms needed for the Catholic Church and others who want to move to a conclave right away.
07 March 2013, 17:01
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The current Camerlengo is Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone. Together with three Cardinal assistants, that are chosen by lot and replaced every three days.
07 March 2013, 17:59
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hey little girl quit giving the guy thumbs down then complain about it
07 March 2013, 22:00
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God bless you father, we all know that there is bad apples in every orchard and obviously it has been very well documented about the evil Bishops who behaved unapropriately and surrendered their soul to the devil, but God and Jesus Christ is in the hearts of and always will be in most of all Bisbops amd Cardinals and certainly they are in your heart and we are very proud of you.
07 March 2013, 23:20
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Charity begins at home. I'm no prophet, no saint unlike these false gods that will soon be lead by the Antichrist.
07 March 2013, 23:25
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You're the coward, the kind of people that do not denounce acts of pedophilia against children. The kind that close his eyes because he's afraid.... Your words have no meaning. You can start your pilgrimage today but I can guarantee that you will not be rewarded by our Lord, because god doesn't forgive cowards like you! Amen.
07 March 2013, 23:54
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leh 3ayb hal 7ake? they have been molesting children in the most trusted places, bass it's 3ayb to point it out?
rou7 ndab ya and learn to articulate a sentence.
08 March 2013, 00:35
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I have to strongly disagree. The image of a country, a sect or or political faction isn't more important than the ruined life of a traumatized kid that will haunt him till he takes his last breath. Sorry.
I happen to have someone who got abused in my family. He's now 20 y.o and a total psychological wreck.
08 March 2013, 00:38
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Thanks Kiserwani, most people are blind and trust these clergymen with their lives. Big mistake. Let's not forget the sacking of byzance by the men of the Holy Siege.... Among other horrible things... Including that they were friendly with the nazis during WWII. Yes, these people are closer to the Lord than we are, Yeah Right! Haha
08 March 2013, 02:32
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wat's going on today? Chavez dies and the world goes crazy
Red card to all of u!
08 March 2013, 07:29
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Hahahaha so funny that in the 21st century people still believe in things like jesus and god. They wear pointy hats and 24k golden hats, what a joke these people are. Science has shown that the earth is millions of years old yet people prefer to believe fairytales...
08 March 2013, 07:32
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Andre i agree with you but I'm offended that you are classifying homosexuals with pedophiles and thieves. Shame on you
08 March 2013, 07:35
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People like you lebanesecitizen are sheep and you will always remain sheep because you will not think for your own. You will always think what others tell you you should think. And when you call someone "Sayedna" you are confirming that you are sheep
