1. Mock Conclave
  2. Intermediate/Senior
  3. Learning Goals
      1. Background for teacher:
      2. Catechism of the Catholic Church: 892


    Mock Conclave

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    Intermediate/Senior

    Adapted from http://www.evergreenexhibitions.com/images/pdf/Vatican_New_Religious_Educators_Guide.pdf

     

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    Learning Goals

    1. I will describe the role of the Pope and his teaching authority in the life and mission of the Church.

    2. I will understand the process of a conclave for electing a pope.

     



    Background for teacher:

    The Pope’s teaching authority pertains to both matters of faith and morals and promoting the Christian virtues to the Christian people in temporal matters of justice and charity. As the Vicar [representative] of Christ on earth, he can teach the faithful in several ways but always with the purpose of leading the faith of Christian people to the Truth. As part of the Magisterium [the official teaching office of the Church], he can speak infallibly in matters of faith and morals. This authority is exercised when he speaks from the chair of Saint Peter called “ex cathedra.” Here he speaks under the authority of the Word of God in Jesus Christ. This has been exercised twice in the dogmatic revelations of the Immaculate Conception and Mary’s assumption into heaven. The extraordinary magisterium can also be exercised in communion with the bishops throughout the world. This teaching authority proposes truths to be believed by all the faithful in matters of faith and morals and when their intention binding the whole Church is sufficiently evident. The Ecumenical Councils are one example of this teaching practice. This does not necessarily make such teachings infallible (without error). It does make a presumption of truth.



    Catechism of the Catholic Church: 892

    The Pope, like the bishops, may exercise the ordinary teaching magisterium. The Pope may teach the faithful through encyclicals, sermons, pastoral letters, explanations, and liturgical documents. Popes have taught in addressing the colonization of peoples, the right to own property, on international violence, the indissolubility of marriage, on just wages and conditions of the working person. The ordinary magisterium may propose teachings on matters of faith and morals when it is unanimous [universal agreement] in their teaching. One example of such a truth of faith is “The Church is the Body of Christ.”

    The conclave represents the electoral process for selecting a new pope.

    All cardinals under 80 years old will remain, under locked doors, until they choose a new pope. The voting proceeds without speech or debate. Each cardinal receives a ballot and inscribes a name. A two-thirds majority is needed for election. Each completed ballot is placed on an open paten, then dropped into a chalice. If the two-thirds majority is not reached, the ballots are burned in a stove with a chemical to emit black smoke. White smoke signals the election of a new pope. Balloting occurs twice a day until a pope is elected. The presiding cardinal approaches the elected for his consent. If he accepts, he chooses a papal name. He then dresses in white [cassock and zucchetto] and is announced to the world from the balcony above Saint Peter’s Square.

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    Procedure:

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    Introduction

     

    Show one or both of the following to review the process of the Conclave:


    ·   Powerpoint “Electing a New Pope” – Junior/Intermediate

    ·  BustedHalo clip “Electing a New Pope”    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUtj8nd_pl4


     

    Tell students that they will be participating in a simulated Conclave experience. Each student (individually or in pairs depending on the size of the class) will research a Cardinal from the College of Cardinals.

     

    Explain that during the Conclave there is no debating or campaign speeches, but each Cardinal must prepare by getting to know the other Cardinals.

     





    Pre-Conclave:

     


    1)   Students are assigned or choose a Cardinal either from the list of Papabili or generally from the list of Cardinals.


     


    2)  Using the Cardinal Fact Finder, students research their cardinal

     

    3)  Give students time to interview each other, using the Cardinal Interview Fact Finder to keep track of their impressions

     



    Conclave: (you will need a plate and a large bowl, a white card and a black card—could be construction paper)

     


    1)  Distribute ballots to students, choose two students to count ballots


     


    2)  Begin conclave by reading Matthew 16: 17-19 and saying a prayer to the Holy Spirit to guide the election process.

    Come, Holy Spirit,

    fill the hearts of your faithful,

    And kindle in them the fire of your love.

    Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created.

    And you will renew the face of the earth.



    Lord, you are our eternal shepherd and guide.

    In your mercy grant your Church

    a shepherd who will walk in your ways

    and whose watchful care will bring us your blessing.

    We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

    who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

    one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

     

    3)  Emphasize that the voting takes place in silence.

     

    4)  After writing the name of a Cardinal on the ballot, each student comes to the front and places ballot on the plate. The students appointed to count the ballots drop the ballot from the plate to the large bowl.

     

    5)  When all ballots have been collected, counters review and tally each ballot. If one candidate receives 2/3 +1 of the votes, the counters hold up a white card indicating that a new pope has been elected. If there is not a 2/3 + 1 majority, then the black card is shown. Counters read out the tally of each candidate. Voting process is repeated. A short prayer for guidance should be prayed before each vote.

     

    6)  If time is an issue, after the second vote you may wish to reduce the number of candidates to the top two or three names.

     

    7)  After winner has been announced, offer a prayer for continued guidance for the Cardinals in Rome and for the new pope and the road that lies ahead for him.

     





    Assessment:

     


    1)  Completion of research and interviewing of candidates

    2)  Class discussion:

    a.  Review what students learned about the process of electing a pope

    b.  Review what guided the class’ decision on who they elected as pope


     

    Remind students to follow the news (likely during March Break) to see if the Cardinals choose the same Cardinal.

     

     

    Attached: (if you see a communication box when trying open any of these attachments, just click “ok” several times)

     


    ·   Cardinal Fact Finder

    ·   Papabili list

    ·  Conclave ballot

    ·   List of all eligible cardinals

    ·   Cardinal Interview Fact Finder

     


     

     

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