Pope Francis’ possible replacement: Anti-woke Cardinal Robert Sarah’s top quotes
Cardinal Robert Sarah, a figure championed by conservatives for his doctrinaire and liturgically minded approach, is among those being considered as a potential successor to Pope Francis. At 79 years old, Sarah, who hails from Guinea, is seen as a spiritual and theological standard-bearer for conservative Catholics who believe that the late pope was overly influenced by modern secularism.
Having previously led the Vatican’s charity office Cor Unum, Sarah has clashed with Pope Francis on numerous occasions. Their most significant disagreement arose when Sarah and retired Pope Benedict XVI co-authored a book titled “From the Depths of Our Hearts: Priesthood, Celibacy and the Crisis of the Catholic Church.” The book advocated for the continued celibacy of Latin Rite priests, a stance that contrasted with Francis’ consideration of allowing married priests in the Amazon region to address a shortage of clergy.
The ideological divide between Sarah and Francis came to a head when the former was dismissed from his position after turning 75. This move followed the controversy surrounding Benedict’s decision to retain the white papal cassock in retirement, leading to concerns about the influence of a retired pope on a reigning one. However, the scandal subsided after Benedict removed himself as a co-author of the contentious book.
In the wake of Pope Francis’ passing, Sarah’s 2019 book “The Day Is Now Far Spent” has garnered attention from conservative Christians. In this work, Sarah laments the turning away from Christianity in Europe and Western civilization and highlights the challenges posed by mass migration and ideological shifts.
Key quotes from Sarah’s writings emphasize his views on the West’s disconnect from its Christian roots, the rejection of gender ideology, the negative impact of mass migration, the dangers of modern distractions, and the importance of loyalty to Christ over popularity or politics. Sarah’s staunch defense of traditional Christian values and rejection of moral relativism have resonated with those who align with more conservative interpretations of Catholic doctrine.
As the papal conclave prepares to convene to select a new leader for the Catholic Church, Cardinal Robert Sarah stands as a prominent figure in the discussion of who may succeed Pope Francis. With his unwavering commitment to upholding traditional Catholic teachings and practices, Sarah represents a potential shift towards a more conservative and doctrinally focused papacy.
