Choosing a new pope

Sir, – Every day public opinion and the media tout the merits of some candidate for the papacy, in a series of superficial flirtations…

Sir, – Every day public opinion and the media tout the merits of some candidate for the papacy, in a series of superficial flirtations.

Would it not be a good idea to postpone the conclave for a few months, to give time for deep reflection on the present crisis of Catholicism?

The cardinals could undertake a broad consultation on how the papal office and the curia might be reformed and made more serviceable to the church. When this is clarified they could proceed to elect a pope capable of implementing the needed changes.

Elect in haste, repent at leisure. The church cannot afford another dysfunctional pontificate. – Yours, etc,

JOSEPH S O’LEARY, DD,

Boulevard de Charonne,

Paris, France.