Turn on any TV channel covering the Papal Conclave and you will hear the buzzing super-word, "reform." From secular political specialists covering a supremely spiritual, yet incarnate activity, such as the Papal Conclave, comes much confusion concerning such things as Curial reform and Cardinal candidates identified as reformers. Possibly from theological ignorance, or an attempt at increasing the ratings, "reform" is meant to stir up images of Martin Luther or new initiatives like married priests and the acceptance of contraceptives!
What does Conclave mean?
But this couldn't be farther from the truth!
The large majority of Cardinals voting for the new pope were selected by either Blessed Pope John Paul II or Benedict XVI, Pope Emeritus. Therefore, whether the new pope is in the "reform" category or not, he will most certainly continue in the theological and ecclesial footsteps of these two ecclesial giants--giant in their faithfulness to Tradition without unnecessary renovation.
The Papacy of Blessed JPII:
Reform in the current situation is not about re-defining dogma or morality. It is, first and foremost, about reforming the Church, in continuity with the above mentioned Papal predecessors, back to Tradition. It is about reforming the reform of the liturgy; a continuity of the efforts of Pope Benedict XVI. It is a continuity of a moral reform of seminaries and religious institutions. It is a reform inspired by "The Theology of the Body," and "the Universal Call to Holiness" and "the New Evangelization."
Meet the Pope Emeritus here.
It is a reform in continuity with the reform of the two prior popes!
This reform, moreover, is Pro-Life, Pro-Traditional Marriage, and seeks to uphold the moral teachings of the Church concerning contraception. This reform is a Catholic reform in every sense. Though the world would like to insert democracy and popular opinion into the Church, a so called aid to reform, the Church wishes to insert faith, hope and charity into the world.
A list of former popes may be found here.
For this reason, the new reform is the same as the old reform.
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