Gandalf for Pope!

Gandalf for Pope!

Conclave meets this week so all the Cardinals can elect the new Pope; a man who will have control over a billion of the world's Christians. That's a massive responsibility - he will shape how many on the planet view God, not just within the church but outsiders looking in. There are a few 'front runners' but I don't think they will cut the mustard so to speak. I want to put up another candidate. One who will have great popular appeal, one who will be able to get the job done...

I say elect Gandalf as Pope

Stick with me, there are reasons -

He's old. Let's face it here, Ewan McGregor getting elected Pope in that film (Angels and Demons) is pure fiction. There is no way the Cardinals would ever elect a young man as Pope. Well in that regard Gandalf has a head start, according to people who geek out on these things Gandalf is about 2021 years old (I love the 'about' in that sentence). So he fits the bill for number 1. He is old. The Gandalf for Pope campaign begins.

2) He dresses in white. Well by the end of the book (or film) he does. True, he doesn't have those lovely red shoes but that is just a little thing that his new advisors could correct. He does have a great hat and a big sticky thing that he leans on - so there are two positives for the costume. Gandalf for Pope gathers momentum.

3) He is very wise. Everyone listens to him, kings, princes, hobbits. It is important for the leader of the Roman Catholic Church to be respected and listened to, people already listen to Gandalf. So vote #GandalfForPope.

4) He already has multiple names. When someone is elected Pope they choose a new papal name for themselves. I imagine Cardinals lying awake at night going through the possibilities. "I could be Pope Ular." (Say it out loud, quickly). But Gandalf already has loads of different names. (Again I thank those geeks with Tolkien tattoos for the info.) He is Mithrandir (meaning Grey Pilgrim; another plus point perhaps), some call him Olórin, still others Incánus. So he would have no trouble choosing a papal name. It's looking good for Gandalf for Pope.

5) He already has some magical powers. Okay, so he is not infallible like some people we could mention but he can still do some pretty neat tricks with fire and stuff. I'm sure he could learn the infallibility stuff standing on his head. It's no reason not to vote Gandalf for Pope.

6)He's got a proven track record at making tough decisions. Now this is the nub of the matter for me. Here is where the idea of Gandalf as Pope will stand or fall. Can he make the tough decisions than are needed? Yes he can send a hobbit or two into almost certain death but could he be brave enough to make the Roman Catholic Church face up, properly, to the scandal of child abuse in the priesthood? He can decide when to start the war of the Ring but is he strong enough to see the Catholic Church needs women priests or at the very least married male ones? Gandalf may face down powerful wizards but could he stand up to the hierarchy of Rome to drag them into the 21st century (or at least the late 19th) with the ideas of contraception, women's rights, sexuality, ecumenism etc. If he can do these things then I say Gandalf for Pope!

Gandalf would call for Vatican 3 and then reform the R.C. Church, but if he doesn't get in then I hope and pray that whoever does will have the vision and strength to lead the Church of Rome into a new future - where needed change is embraced and useful traditions kept, where abusers of all sorts (of people and of power) are accountable for their actions and where the great work that is done throughout the world by the Roman Catholic Church continues and grows.

Whoever leads the world's billion or so Catholics has a huge task ahead of him and will need our prayers as he begins his papacy. Even though Gandalf is the only sensible choice in my eyes he probably won't get the nod, but whoever does will have my prayers for I do not envy him his task.