A variety of media sources have been speculating about the possibility that Pope Francis will fulfill his promise to develop a deeper theology of women by naming women as Cardinals in the next consistory.
The Facebook page of Father James Keenan of the theology department of Boston College, a long-time supporter of liberal causes, actually solicited suggestions for the first woman cardinal. Among the names submitted were Professor Linda Hogan, a married theologian from Ireland; Sister Maryanne Loughry, an Australian nun, and; Sister Teresa Okure a theology professor from Nigeria.
Another candidate for the job, Ireland's former president, Mary McAleese, told the Worcester Telegram & Gazette that the Vatican remained one of the few places where women still could not vote, calling it deeply offensive that women “are not included in the [Vatican’s] decision- making process”.
However, senior Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi quickly put the rumors to rest : “This is just nonsense . . . It is simply not a realistic possibility that Pope Francis will name women cardinals for the February consistory."
He added: “Theologically and theoretically, it is possible. Being a cardinal is one of those roles in the church for which, theoretically, you do not have to be ordained but to move from there to suggesting the pope will name women cardinals for the next consistory is not remotely realistic.”
At present, there is a rule requiring all Cardinals be ordained bishops, but this rule can be dispensed, making it possible for laymen or priests to be named Cardinals.
According to the Religion News Service, the last cardinal who was not ordained was Italian jurist Teodolfo Mertel, appointed in 1858. Pope Paul VI reportedly offered a red hat in 1968 to French philosopher Jacques Maritain, a layman but Maritain declined. Cardinal Avery Dulles, who was a priest but not a bishop, also received a red hat in 2001 by Pope John Paul II.
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