"Singing an Anti-Christian Song... Fatally Damaging to His Qualifications"
Conservative Factions Attack to Block Progressive Papal Candidate
With the passing of Pope Francis on April 21, the conclave to elect the next pope is scheduled to begin on May 7.
Meanwhile, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (67) of the Philippines, who is considered a leading candidate for the next pope, is facing fierce attacks from conservative factions within the Catholic Church. The criticism stems from his past performance of John Lennon's "Imagine," a song that contains lyrics perceived as anti-Christian.
On April 30 (local time), Italian daily Corriere della Sera and The Washington Post (WP) reported that a video of Cardinal Tagle singing Lennon's "Imagine" at an event in 2019 has been spreading on social media.
Observers both inside and outside the Church believe the spread of this video is not a coincidence. They view it as a deliberate attack targeting Cardinal Tagle.
LifeSiteNews, a Canadian conservative Catholic media outlet known for its opposition to abortion, defense of orthodox doctrine, and criticism of Pope Francis, recently stated on social media, "Cardinal Tagle's performance of 'Imagine' is a betrayal of Catholic doctrine."
The specific lyric in "Imagine" that some conservatives object to is the line, "Imagine there's no Heaven." After the breakup of the legendary British band The Beatles, Lennon became known as a socialist, anarchist, and peace activist. "Imagine" is a song that reflects these beliefs.
LifeSiteNews argues, "This song is an atheistic anthem that denies religion, heaven, and the kingship of Christ," and claims, "The very act of singing such anti-Christian lyrics is fatal to his qualifications as a papal candidate."
However, Corriere della Sera reported that Cardinal Tagle did not sing the controversial lyrics at all, stating, "A review of the full performance video clearly shows that certain lyrics were intentionally omitted."
The article also added, "Italian singer Gianni Morandi, when performing 'Imagine' in front of then-Pope John Paul II in 1996, also modified the anti-religious lyrics."
Pope Francis (right) and Cardinal Tagle visiting Manila, Philippines in 2015. Photo by EPA Yonhap News
Foreign media outlets are analyzing this incident as part of a conservative campaign to prevent another progressive cleric from becoming pope following Pope Francis.
Cardinal Tagle is known as "the Francis of Asia" for faithfully continuing Pope Francis's reformist path. Like Pope Francis, who allowed priests to bless same-sex couples, Cardinal Tagle has argued that the Church should reconsider its historically harsh stance toward homosexuals, divorced individuals, and single mothers.
Catholic conservatives see the upcoming conclave as an opportunity for renewal. On April 28, the British daily The Guardian reported that conservative factions within the Catholic Church, dissatisfied with Pope Francis's various bold moves, are joining forces with supporters of former U.S. President Donald Trump and engaging in lobbying efforts.
Additionally, Cardinal Gerhard M?ller of Germany, considered a conservative papal candidate, recently told The Times of London that the election of another progressive cleric should be guarded against. He asserted, "If an orthodox pope is not elected this time, the Church will be split in two."
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