After the death of Pope Francis, the question of the composition of the College of Cardinals has come to the fore. Four cardinals have already confirmed that they will not participate in the election of the next pontiff, although they formally have the right to do so. Each of these refusals reveals a different aspect of the responsibility and moral weight with which cardinals must approach one of the most important events in the life of the Catholic Church, BTA reports.
Kenyan Cardinal John Njue has attracted attention with his decision to withdraw from participation in the conclave, although he is officially under the age limit of 80. The reason is ethical - there are doubts that his actual age exceeds the permissible age. In order not to set a precedent and to protect the authority of established norms, Njue voluntarily withdrew, although he formally cited health reasons.
Health reasons: Cañizares and Puljic
Cardinals Antonio Cañizares Lovera (Spain) and Vinko Puljic (Bosnia and Herzegovina), also under the age of 80, are withdrawing due to serious health problems. Cañizares suffers from a neurological disease that limits even his ability to speak, and Puljic is battling a serious heart condition. Both believe they cannot bear the physical and mental strain of the conclave.
Financial scandal: The Beciu case
Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Beciu, convicted by the Vatican Court of financial crimes, also announced that he would not participate in the election of a new pope. His decision comes just days before the conclave begins on May 7. Bechiu was forced by Pope Francis in 2020 to renounce the rights and privileges of a cardinal after he was embroiled in a major scandal. In 2023, he was sentenced to five and a half years in prison, and his case is currently under appeal.
African Case: Doubts and Comparisons
Njoue's refusal takes on even greater significance against the backdrop of the participation of another African cardinal - Philippe Ouedraogo from Burkina Faso. He too has doubts about the correctness of his officially stated date of birth - a problem typical of countries with unstable civil registration in the past. However, Ouedraogo has given no indication that he is considering withdrawing from the vote.
History knows other similar cases. In 2013, upon the election of Pope Francis, Indonesian Cardinal Julius Dharmatmadja withdrew for health reasons, and Scottish Cardinal Keith O'Brien resigned amid allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior.