The challenge of the next conclave is that most of the cardinals do not know each other and not all speak Italian, Cardinal William Goh of Singapore told NcRegister.com (30 April).
Cardinal Goh says about himself he is an introvert with a pious childhood ("going to church before class to pray the rosary at the age of 7"). He comes from a "not very religious" family, except for his mother.
Francis "is always popular with many of our Catholics [who have no idea of the real state of affairs in Francis' Vatican], and I think he is a beacon of hope, a beacon of mercy and compassion," Cardinal Goh says.
He is as critical of the former Synod of Bishops as a submissive Asian can be. He testifies to the oppressive climate during the event: "We could not be as open or direct as you would like to be ... for fear of offending people [= Francis] who have different views".
"It takes a lot of courage to say what you have to say and to be open about it," he says. He also speaks about "a subtle pressure …More