WARNING! This is a real groaner!
There were two Catholic boys, Timothy Murphy and Antonio Secola whose lives
paralleled each other in amazing ways. In the same year Timothy was born in
Ireland, Antonio was born in Italy.
Faithfully they attended parochial school from kindergarten through their
Senior year in High School. They took their vows to enter the priesthood
early in college, and upon graduation became priests. Their careers had
come to amaze the world, but it was generally acknowledged that Antonio was
just a cut above Timothy in all respects.
Their rise through the ranks of Bishop, Archbishop, and finally Cardinal
was meteoric to say the least, and the Catholic world knew that when the
present Pope died, it would be either Timothy or Antonio who would become
the next Pope.
In time the Pope did die, and the College of Cardinals went to work. In
less time than anyone expected, smoke rose from the chimney at the Vatican
and the world waited to see whom they had chosen. The world, Catholic,
Protestant and secular, was surprised to learn that Timothy Murphy had been
elected Pope.
Antonio was beyond surprise; he was devastated, because, even with all
Timothy's giftedness, Antonio knew he was better qualified. With gall that
shocked the Cardinals, Antonio asked for a private session with them in
which he candidly asked, "Why Timothy?"
After long silence one old Cardinal took pity on the bewildered Antonio and
rose to reply, "We knew you were the better of the two, but we just could
not bear the thought of the leader of the Roman Catholic Church being
called ... Pope Secola.
There were two Catholic boys, Timothy Murphy and Antonio Secola whose lives
paralleled each other in amazing ways. In the same year Timothy was born in
Ireland, Antonio was born in Italy.
Faithfully they attended parochial school from kindergarten through their
Senior year in High School. They took their vows to enter the priesthood
early in college, and upon graduation became priests. Their careers had
come to amaze the world, but it was generally acknowledged that Antonio was
just a cut above Timothy in all respects.
Their rise through the ranks of Bishop, Archbishop, and finally Cardinal
was meteoric to say the least, and the Catholic world knew that when the
present Pope died, it would be either Timothy or Antonio who would become
the next Pope.
In time the Pope did die, and the College of Cardinals went to work. In
less time than anyone expected, smoke rose from the chimney at the Vatican
and the world waited to see whom they had chosen. The world, Catholic,
Protestant and secular, was surprised to learn that Timothy Murphy had been
elected Pope.
Antonio was beyond surprise; he was devastated, because, even with all
Timothy's giftedness, Antonio knew he was better qualified. With gall that
shocked the Cardinals, Antonio asked for a private session with them in
which he candidly asked, "Why Timothy?"
After long silence one old Cardinal took pity on the bewildered Antonio and
rose to reply, "We knew you were the better of the two, but we just could
not bear the thought of the leader of the Roman Catholic Church being
called ... Pope Secola.