Conclave

Human And Divine Resources

Some minor spoilers

This movie is two hours of watching men in dresses talk at with, to, and at each other. It is is far more gripping than it has any right to be. Much of this simply comes down to the excellent cast (Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, etc) who could make a washing machine manual dramatically intense. The film itself is surprisingly cinematic for its confined location.

Some Defenders of the Catholic Church do not like this movie. Its makers’ sympathies are with those seeking change in the Church rather than conservatives. And its critics are correct that this can lead to some clunky storytelling. However Conclave is not about God. It is about people.

In many respects, the Catholic Church is a multi-national corporation and the shenanigans we witness would not be out of place in boardroom never mind the Vatican. There is wheeling and dealing and confessions and lying. Those participating are not evil. They are simply operating with their own agendas.

Now, the mechanics of the Conclave are collegial rather than corporate. Cardinals vote on which of their number should be Pope until a majority is reached. But everyone has ambitions. Some of those vying for the top job are willing to do anything to get there. Others are a little more squeamish. As one character says, every cardinal has secretly chosen their own papal name. So very human.

In this recognition of the humanity of the Church, Conclave is generous. There are far darker tales of the Church and its priesthood that could be told. When I interact with some Church Defenders, I get the sense that they feel everything could be resolved by restoring the Latin Mass or some other practice. However many who trusted the Church feel betrayed by not just the child abuse, but the widespread covering up. This trust will not be easily won back.

Many of our institutions have trust deficits. In some cases, they have betrayed the trust of their citizens and customers. In others, the root causes are harder to find (but that might just be wishful thinking on my part). Often this mistrust has been actively stoked by those who wish to tear down institutions that stand in their way.

Conclave ends by implying that the future of the Church lies in opening itself to many types of people rather than bunkering down to a constricted and reactionary view of human nature. I would like to believe that this openness and acceptance will create trust but I do also wonder if I am being naive. May be the future is trustless and just the endless bartering for position. While watching the multiple sessions of cardinals voting for the next pontiff, the thought crosses my mind: “What if the voting never ends?”