Valentine Papacy

THE VALENTINE PAPACY

27^th January, 2007

Cardinal Cromwell was in his usual casual outfit. He looked younger than 50 in them. His sparkling yellow face wore lit smiles under a cream-colored spectacle. In a brief while his perfectly shaped body was concealed in an exotic car which breezed out into the distance.

Cromwell was attending a conference inside Rochester City. He was only going to listen, and not to speak as he usually did. It was a gathering of Rochester's Heads of Religious Institutions. As Rochester’s most vibrant Cardinal, he received this as a special assignment to coordinate the affairs of 29 Religious bodies, 13 female and the others male. He sat elegantly on the elevated platform looking around at the variegated colors and designs of habit that spread across the hall. There was zero expression in his face such that one could hardly tell if he felt satisfied with what was been said or not.

The cardinal’s seat was comfy and befitting of a person of his importance. However Cromwell was careful not lean backwards on the couch. Sister Susan, one of the receptionists, noticed this and walked up to him revealing a defeating smile; “Your Eminence, if you need to adjust the couch, I can help you with it”  the Cardinal was about to accompany his thankful smiles with some words when his secretary whispered to the Rev. sister and dismissed her. No one else in the whole wide world knew that Cardinal Cromwell slept on pebbles, face-up, every Friday night except his secretary who prepared the bed.  Saturday mornings became the time for reckoning, for even if he forgot his pains and slept of, he would wake to condone a wounded back all day. Whenever his secretary raised the topic, his simple reply was that it was not a matter for discussion.

The convention ended six hours later after the cardinal's brief but brilliant closing remarks. Walking his way through the passage leading to the convenience, Cromwell noticed a gentle footstep behind. He kept his balance, opened the door gently and closed it behind him. After a moment, he came out, to meet Sister Susan who was standing at a corner of the long passage waiting to speak to him. From the distance, she looked most innocently and decently dressed in her Habit. She signaled the cardinal to come out of the enclosure into the open hall. Cromwell held his guts firmly. They exchanged words for a moment. Susan was smiling with a glimpse of charm as she exchanged goodbyes with the Cardinal.

Cromwell, walked with a calculated braggadocio away from the hall. He was not unconscious of the incessant flashes from cameras from every angle, so he kept his mien in watch. Cardinal was an ecclesiastical figure both in Rochester and beyond, respected for his admirable qualities of mind and character including his excellence in scholarship. One did not need to have a personal encounter with him before you liked him. However, if you succeeded, you would find him simply endearing and with such a kind heart which his bright smiles uncovered.

31^st January, 2007

Susan appeared in the Cardinal’s office early the next Wednesday. She had booked an appointment with him. In the hall that day, she revealed her personal spiritual compunctions for which she was bearing serious trials and was at the verge of giving up her religious vocation. Today as before, she looked simple and decent. She focused a mean gaze at the cardinal as they discussed. Progressively, she found her session with the cardinal helpful. Cromwell was principled, simple and genuine. It did not take long before Susan found in him a trustworthy confidant, so she made her visits more frequent.

A short while before Cardinal Cromwell traveled to Rome for the February conclave, following the death of Pope Andrew I on January 25^th, Susan visited. Meeting with Susan that morning, he grew skeptical and for the first time he seemed to notice Susan's touchiness. Her ravishing beauty, and her alluring composure. She appeared very unusually, she smiled as she spoke. Before she left, she handed the Cardinal a letter which she wanted him to read in his privacy.

Rome….

The election of a Pope is the starting point of a complex sequence of traditions. With the demise of Tutchi Japheth (Andrew I), The Swiss born Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Jim Brian became Carmelango. A position he would hold until a new successor to Peter had been elected. The cardinals who assembled in Rome for the February conclave were all too aware of what strength; both spiritual and physical was required of a future pope. Most of the important work in a papal election occurs before the actual conclave. Cardinals meet, discus and get to know each other. The candidates who were most likely considered to be elected where also discussed among the cardinals

On the 10th February, the cardinals, wearing red cassocks, white surplices and red birettas processed in reverse order of seniority into the Sistine chapel, perfectly prepared and organized. In there where 69 other persons including kitchen and medical staff who had taken vows of secrecy binding them from revealing any occurrence during the conclave, punishable by excommunication. The cardinals were not left out. There were no technical devices of any sort. Each cardinal took a sacred oath to abide by guidelines. The doors of the Sistine chapel were sealed. The conclave had begun. For the night, the cardinals moved to the little rooms tucked away at different corners, their telephones carefully disconnected. The significance of the very name 'conclave' derived from Latin 'cum clave' meaning 'with key' was gravely observed.

Inside of room 89. In the conclave enclosure, the only space of time he had since. Cromwell sat to read Susan’s letter. He was disappointed and dumbfounded at the words that sat on the white Paper….

“I rely on the heavens as witness. How much comfort I have felt after a while with you. I feel that the heavens have come down to me in bodily form. Love is a noble calling and to this noble calling I have surrendered myself in loving you Dearly. I cannot express what my spirit tells me about you without mincing words. I fear to say that God has a plan for us in the future. A joyful plan which cannot be borne by a single soul but only by two souls united in a holy Love. God has revealed this to me in the depths of my heart. I am praying for you as you journey. Keep me in your heart. I Promise to be close by at the end of the Conclave as I cannot live with myself any longer.

Yours Truly Susan Helena.

After reading the later severally, Cardinal Cromwell replaced it in its package and slid it into a drawer.

11^th February, 2007

The voting began soon after nine o'clock in the morning of 11th February. Cromwell closed the door of room 89 behind him and followed the procession to the Sistine chapel. In the midst of 120 cardinals in attendance Cromwell was insignificant, he might easily pass as the youngest in their midst; he only managed to exchange pleasantries with few cardinals during the procession into the chapel.

"... I call to witness Christ the lord who will be my judge that my vote is given to the one whom before God I consider to be elected." This went on until all 120 cardinals had voted. In the first ballot, they seemed to be looking in accordance with tradition for an Italian pope. Five Italians were consecutively voted but none being able to reach the two-third requirements.

As the day progressed however, an increasing number of votes for non-Italians rose. Among them was Berlin Cardinal Cromwell of the United States. Now and again black smoke rose from the stove in the corner of the chapel that kept the teeming crowd of Romans and tourists outside St. Peter's square in expectant suspense. The air outside was tense while everyone waited.

14^th February, 2007

It had been three days since the conclave began. The crowds have become intensely curious. Nine times the huge crowd bubbled with excitement as smoke began to appear from the chimney only to be downcast when its thick black fume became obvious.

On the 4th day, Valentine’s Day, the crowd that had grown weary in front of St. Pater's square became enlivened again. Young Girls, boys, men and women alike in pairs with their lovers. Attractive flowers scattered around. With these, one would not fail to remember that it was Valentine's. The distressed crowd momentarily forgot the chimney and its smoke. Love was in the air. Whether or not the white smoke came that day, they seemed unperturbed but if however it did come, such "valentine papacy" would be one of a kind.

****

Inside the Sistine chapel, Cardinal Cromwell was head-bent and so visibly shaken as the number of votes for him had increased by the ninth ballot. In the midst of the 120 cardinals in attendance, Cromwell thought himself infinitely insignificant and inexperienced, but here, the Chair of Peter was tilting towards him and all he held unto was God's divine will. At the final ballot, fate was decided, and Cardinal Cromwell was called upon to accept or reject the honor of becoming the Vicar of Christ. He paused for so long before replying in fluent Latin. “I accept the lot marked out for me with delight, I shall take the name Anthony”

The world was soon to be addressed by the new Vicar of Christ. The crowd outside especially the most dedicated smoke-watchers looked on as the brilliant white smoke made way into the air accompanied by a thunderous shout; "Viva Il Papa"; long live the Pope. The world had a pope but who on earth was it? The pope was to appear in the balcony to bless the crowd. However, for some reasons, the new Pope asked to address the people not high far away from the balcony but inside St Peter’s facing the congregation.

At this request, he was accompanied  all around by an entourage of Swiss guards who have now changed their outfit from the deep blue signaling "Sede Vacante" (generally signifying that the chair of Peter was vacant) to the bright red, blue and yellow stripped.

The bright, yellow morning sun revealed the fine-looking Pope Anthony I as he beamed with smiles so infectious that anyone would want to have him smile all through. In that brief period of thunderous shouts and cheering from the mammoth crowd who just beheld the new Pope, Susan Helena in her most decent and flawless manner, clad in the simple black habit of the Conclave assistants walked through the side aisles up, to the platform. She whispered to one of the guards while pointing towards the Pope, and moving on, she came face to face with her Cardinal Cromwell and planted a craving kiss on his lip.

****

Things moved quickly, and just about one and half hour after the scandal at St Peter’s Square, derogatory spoofs went viral in the internet. The videos captured Susan and Cardinal Cromwell at different occasions. With the different instances, it was beyond doubts that these two had known each other before hand. The expressions given by news couriers were not favorable either. The headlines bore ridicules like; “A Valentine Nun for the Pope”

The Cardinal Carmelango and the entire Roman Curia had an enclosed meeting. The Popular opinion was to depose the new Pope and reschedule a conclave. This was based on a consideration that it could cost a great deal of time to satisfactorily investigate the relationship of Cromwell with Sister Susan.

In the privacy of his room, Cardinal Cromwell felt his faculty was lost for a while. He carefully signed his final letter to the council. "My earthly benefit has been always to glorify God through the ministry of my Priesthood. I decry my innocence before God and Man. Truth does not consist in an abundance of words but in a heart that abounds with love for God. I know that God before whom my heart lays bare sees the truth”. He was resolved to leave the Vatican as soon as he spoke to the Carmelango.

The guard at his watch knocked and delivered a package from an undisclosed person. On it was inscribed “Cardinal Cromwell” in bold letters. It was obviously a gift, colorfully wrapped, the postage stamps showed it was sent by mail. Cromwell opened the box gradually, looking carefully at the playful inscriptions on each wad of paper that concealed the gift. On the last Paper before the gift, there was a writing in red blood; “Leave the Vatican tonight. If you can’t find a train, Use this” and then after it, a rugged snub-nose revolver lay at the base of the gift box.

*****

While all these went on, Susan Helena lay in the Vatican hospice under treatment. After her scandalous display, she fainted in the arms of Cromwell. She was allowed few days of convalesce before facing the inquisitive tribunal and the nosy Vatican press. There were many questions, for which only Susan could provide answers. Before the tribunal, she remained mute and unmoved even with their threats. She made a continuous request to see Cardinal Cromwell expressing that only in his presence would she speak. Surrounded by an army of Swiss guards, Cardinal Cromwell proceeded into the large hall. Susan made brisk advancements as if to plunge herself into his arms but her effort was little enough for the guards. She looked harmlessly and artlessly at her cardinal. She immediately admitted before all present that Cardinal Cromwell had nothing to do with her. She admitted to have taken pictures of her meetings with Cromwell, not for any scandal but …. Amidst sobs, she confessed her sincere desire for Cromwell since his first audience with the religious nine months ago.

****

Susan Helena was a nun of the abbey of the annunciation. She met Cromwell first when she was barely 2 years old in the convent. Cromwell had addressed them in a conference –nine months ago.  During the Easter celebration that year, Cromwell had also visited the convent to celebrate the vigil mass. Her infatuation grew stronger by then. During the Rochester conference later on, she decided she would make a bold step towards Cromwell. When the conference ended, she trailed Cromwell. And then, the series of counseling followed. Within those periods, she felt an understanding of the saying that Love was blind, being a cleric, for her did not count. Truly, her love was blind, for even as she spoke she hoped to speak Cardinal Cromwell into leaving the Vatican with her.

Susan never planned to disrupt a conclave. She only wanted to make effective her immense love for Cromwell on Valentine. She said.... 'Did I expect to succeed? No, but I knew God would see me through'

While she spoke, the cardinals were relieved, Cromwell sat motionless.

With these findings, the jolly and celebrative atmosphere that should mark a successful conclave returned. A brief but though trying time, which would have stripped the church of her honor had just ended.

 The Sunday holy mass, presided by the new Pope welcomed Romans and Pilgrims from all walks and race. St Peter's was filled to the brim that it could hardly hold a single person extra. With the dramatic turn out of the events since the conclave, every eye was eager to see, and listen to the new Pope. By the end of the mass the young Pope had cleared all doubts about his competence. He exuded a brilliant grounding in philosophy, theology and catholic doctrine. In his final speech, to the people, he addressed everyone in their language. He spoke fluently in, English, French, German, and Italian. This was significant of the fact that he was a Pope for all. Yet, Cromwell knew in all humility that his duty superseded mere applause. He recalled never expecting the duty which he had however accepted. He ended by recalling the words of St Paul; "The love of Christ compels us" The church was sure to be moving into a radical reformation with the fervor of her new pope.

VALENTINE DANIEL CHIWETALU MAMAH

Happy Valentine’s