SPIRITUAL AND MENTAL DISPOSITION FOR THE ELECTION OF THE MAJOR ARCHBISHOP

SPIRITUAL AND MENTAL DISPOSITION FOR THE ELECTION OF THE MAJOR ARCHBISHOP

Prepared in the light of the directives from UNIVERSI DOMINICI GREGIS which is a Papal Document on the Election of the Roman Pontiff.

1. The Bishop electors not to allow themselves to be guided, in choosing the Major Archbishop, by friendship or aversion, or to be influenced by favour or personal relationships towards anyone, or to be constrained by the interference of persons in authority or by pressure groups, by the suggestions of the mass media, or by force, fear or the pursuit of popularity. Rather, having before their eyes solely the glory of God and the good of the Church, and having prayed for divine assistance, they shall give their vote to the person, even outside the Bishop electors, who in their judgment is most suited to govern the universal Church in a fruitful and beneficial way (No. 83).

2. During the time of the election of the Major Archbishop, the Church is united in a very special way with the Bishop electors, and she asks God to grant her a new Major Archbishop as a gift of his goodness and providence. Indeed, following the example of the first Christian community spoken of in the Acts of the Apostles (cf. 1:14), the Syro-Malabar Church, spiritually united with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, should persevere with one heart in prayer; thus the election of the new Major Archbishop will not be something unconnected with the People of God and concerning the Bishop electors alone, but will be in a certain sense an act of the whole Church. Humble and persevering prayers are to be offered to the Lord (cf. Mt 21:22; Mk 11:24), that he may enlighten the electors and make them so likeminded in their task that a speedy, harmonious and fruitful election may take place, as the salvation of souls and the good of the whole People of God demand (No. 84).

3. In a most earnest and heartfelt way let the priests lead the prayer of the People of God, fervently imploring the assistance of Almighty God and the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit for the Bishop electors, especially at the time of the election itself. They will thereby participate in an effective and real way in the difficult task of providing a father and head for the Syro-Malabar Church (No. 85).

4. It is also asked the one who is elected not to refuse, for fear of its weight, the office to which he has been called, but to submit humbly to the design of the divine will. God who imposes the burden will sustain him with his hand, so that he will be able to bear it. In conferring the heavy task upon him, God will also help him to accomplish it and, in giving him the dignity, he will grant him the strength not to be overwhelmed by the weight of his office (No. 86).

Prepared by Fr. Francis Eluvathingal