On the day that the Pope announced his retirement to the shock and awe of the Catholic world I had some fun on Twitter, suggesting that I should put myself forward as a possible contender for the vacancy in the Vatican. I do rather fancy the jewel coloured robes… very flattering to the fuller figure and as for hand-made shoes… I bet they are so comfortable. I also fancy living in a fully staffed palace in Rome which is one of my favourite cities. Yep, the idea of being Pope is one that appeals to me greatly.
So with my Twitter buddy Carole Whelan (@carolewhelan) lined up as my personal assistant (or GlamAss as she prefers to be called) it seemed that I was all set to begin electioneering. But I needed a manifesto. So I got to thinking about what I could achieve on my first day as Pope – with the help of all the staff I would have at my disposal. So here it is. My first day as Pope.
In the morning I would dress in the most colourful bejewelled robes available. I would slip my feet into the famous papal slippers. I may not bother with the mitre… I reckon I don’t need to the extra height. Suitably attired I would begin my first day’s work.
The very first thing I would do would be to announce the conversion of the Vatican from a palace into a holiday resort to provide respite and a break for carers from all over the world. My Vatican would be a place of rest and recuperation for those who spend endless hours caring for a loved one. Those who volunteer and make our communities a better place to live would also be welcome to stay for a break in my Vatican.
Next job would be to instruct that all crucifixes (images of torture) be removed from churches and replaced with images and statues of angels.
I would then sit down and write two letters. The first letter would be to all children in catholic schools telling them that Jesus message was one of love….. pure and simple. I would tell them that he didn’t qualify that love. So we may take it that all love is equally precious and beautiful… including gay love.
My second letter would go to every convent, parish and monastery asking them to comb the streets of their local town or city at sunset in search of the homeless. I would ask that they offer every person they find sleeping rough a hot meal, bed, shower and breakfast. I insist that they do this every evening at sunset.
Then I would have lunch. One fabulous lunch served to me in the opulent surroundings of the Pope’s apartments.
After lunch I would head into the Sistine Chapel where I would ordain the first women and marry the first priests.
Ceremonies over I then would instruct the conversion of Castel Gandalpho into an animal rescue centre where all manner of four legged friends would find a place of safety and love.
Another letter would be written dismissing all the hierarchy and instructing that all bishops’ palaces be given to their local community for use as centres for artistic expression. The gardens of these palaces would have to be used as animal sanctuaries.
Over coffee and some fabulous Italian pastries I would call on my papal staff to help organise an auction of all the papal fine robes and handmade shoes which could take place the following day. The money from their sale would be used to provide education for girls in countries where they are denied this basic right. If necessary the girls would be brought to Rome if education in their own country was not possible.
I would then organise a second auction of other works of art etc (other than what I would consider belongs to the people of Italy – such as the Pieta etc). The money from this auction would be used to form a foundation to work on the elimination of child poverty around the world. I might ask Bob Geldof to head this up!
Over a splendid dinner I would dictate a Press Release to be issued the following day announcing the end of the Papacy.
I would then pen an article which I would publish here on my blog suggesting that local churches elect a committee of men and women committed to following the way of Jesus as opposed to the teachings of Peter. These committees would be the new priests.
In my article I would also ask the faithful to begin to re-imagine God, not as a judgemental father but as a loving, forgiving, endlessly patient embodiment of Mother and Father.
That done, I would don some fabulous papal PJs, pour myself a big glass of some very exclusive papal red wine and put my feet up and watch Tonight with Vincent Browne via the 3Player. But not before booking my ticket back to Dublin with Aer Lingus for the following morning.
What do you think?
Gets my vote !x
Any conclave that doesn't endorse you as Pope is one that I'll have nothing to do with! Wait a minute! I'm a Buddhist! I don't care – I'm voting for you. Jesus and Buddha were just good guys and they'd love you to head up their conjoined church. I'll be the Dalai Lama except our own Dalai Lama is a pretty good guy. So let's find a couple of other rockin' women to lead up the world religions and whether Bob's your uncle or not won't matter.
I really love it and think your ideas (although a tad radical, are great. But I think you've forgotten something. The dreaded and fearsome Curia. They won't be happy bunnies. Not that I would suggest that members of the Curia would do anything drastic – but remember what happened to John Paul 1 !!!!
love it…
i can follow you from wordpress 🙁
mine today was also slightly related…i planned vatican3…in my day.
Loved this
Helen
http://atleastihaveabrain.wordpress.com/2013/02/28/vatican-3-now-what-have-i-suggested/
Great ideas Barbara! If only…
Loads of grub & wine for the 'pontiff' but the art to be selectively flogged. Who decides what art is to go ? Who would buy? Donald Trump and his ilk probably. The Vatican Museum is the equivalent of the Louvre and accessible to all the people of the world. One of the heavenly places to be. I think I would die defending the Apollo Balvedere.
There are other ways to eliminate injustice. Lay off the art and architecture.
Great post, Barbara. There's a lot that needs to change about the way the Catholic Church does business if it hopes to stay true to the message of Jesus.
(I sound like a true-blue believer there but I'd consider myself an agnostic/borderline atheist!)
Why don't you send the next Pope this list of To-Do?
These are all absolutely necessary actions to cleanse the mess and give hope.
I sometimes wonder if someone impersonated Jesus and went for a wander round the Vatican… what would he do.
As a child I was really upset to learn that churches closed at night; even then I'd thought of the homeless, which in those days would have been just a couple of old men.
Smashing piece!
Since I started blog surfing this is one of the best articles I have read and I hope to find more through your links. Thank you
Excellent ideas Barbara! Just found your blog and enjoyed reading this post so much I will definitely be back