Hearts have to be prepared for its return: still far too many in Italy are against the return of the sedia gestatoria (triumphal chair) and for all the wrong '60s reasons.
But would this have happened: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcP_00cPnZc&feature=player_embedded if the pope had been safe in his own St. Peter's Basilica aloft in the elevated sedia (where finally all the crowds can actually get a glimpse of him) with a square of security around this sedia and its sediari?
Everybody already passes through the metal detecting as they enter the Basilica. The pope is eighty-two. This is his second fall this year. Why is the Italian establishment in the Vatican still so opposed to the return of the sedia and what can we do to help convince them to see the wisdom of former generations in making use of the very practical sedia gestatoria?
L'attaque au Saint Père avant la Messe de Noël met en évidence la rélativité des mésures de sûrete autour de Lui. Il faut reprendre tout de suite l'usage du siège gestatoire, non seulement pour des raisons du symbolisme de la majesté pontificale, mais aussi pour un sens pratique: le Pape, en effet, serait à l'abri des ...incidents comme celui d'hier et les fidèles pourraient aisément le voir à son passage par le nef de la Basilique Saint-Pierre. Rendons grâces à Dieu de ce que Benoît XVI a été épargné cette fois et prions pour la santé du cardinal Etchegaray, qui est resté accidenté. Prions aussi pour la pauvre déséquilibrée qui a si tristement protagonisé la Nuit de Noël.
ReplyDeleteIt puts in evidence how easy is to approach His Holiness in the midst of the crowd. Even without carrying weapons, anyone could cause serious damage on the august person of the Pope, who is an elderly man. It also puts in relief the necessity of preserving Him more accurately especially when He proceeds along the nave of St. Peter's Basilica. In my... See More opinion the sedia gestatoria should be restored, not only as a symbolic element of the Papacy's majesty, but also for practical reasons: a) to make more visible the Pope to the people, b) for more safety and c) to avoid the Pope to get tired.
ReplyDeleteMy translation of the first post in French:
ReplyDelete"The attack at St. Peter’s before the Christmas Mass places in evidence the relativity of the security measures around the Pope. It is necessary to begin again, right away, the use of the sedia gestatoria, not only for the reason of the symbolism of the pontifical majesty, but also for a practical reason: the Pope, actually, would be sheltered from incidents like that of yesterday and the faithful would easily be able to see his passage down the nave of the St. Peter’s Basilica. Let us give thanks to God that Benedict XVI was spared this time and let us pray for the health of Cardinal Etchegaray, who is injured. Let us pray also for the pour unbalanced person who has so sadly made Christmas Night a time of upset."
J.P. Sonnen is the man. Bring back the Sedia Gestatoria!!
ReplyDeletehttp://costumbrario.blogspot.com/2009/12/alegato-favor-de-la-silla-gestatoria.html
ReplyDeleteSimply put, Sedia debate aside, this would not have happened if he had been elevated in the Chair. I pray they do not wait for the third attack to realize the Sedia is now needed for indoor processions. The Holy Father is wise, and knows this deep inside. I can only pray that people who harbor opposition will release their anxiety and think only of the safety of our Beloved Holy Father. He could have been seriously hurt or worse. It is intolerable, the Sedia is not. How would you feel if you denied him use of the Sedia through often nasty, vocal disapproval and then he was harmed, walking. Think about it. Is the Sedia really so bad when used and explained according to reason and logic? If you have no opinion one way or the other, please consider coming around to support it..Contact Rome and help ease the Pope's decision and support its' use. A powerful statement from the lay faithful would go a long way in supporting the Pope and protecting him. And for anyone who would do such malice as to take a shot at him while elevated, well if they got into the Basilica with a weapon, they are not going to put it down because he is walking. If they are determined, they will strike, wherever he may be. But that has not happened and the lunging incidents have. God Bless and Protect Our Holy Pontiff.
ReplyDeleteEven before this recent incident, I have felt that the return of the sedia gestatoria is a bad idea for security reasons. Just imagine that was being used this Christmas Eve. The sedia gestatoria could have toppled, causing harm to the Holy Father and those around him. As much as I personally love tradition, the sedia gestatoria should not return. It just isn’t safe.
ReplyDeleteThe sedia is safe because there is a box/square of security that stands and walks tight around the sediari pontifici (men who carry the sedia).
ReplyDeleteIt wouldn’t take much for one of the sediari pontifici to lose their grip during a commotion taking place around them, dropping the sedia gestatoria, and the guards flanking the procession would be no match for a sniper. I’d hate to see tradition outweigh the safety of the Vicar of Christ.
ReplyDelete