Visions of Next Pope as Varied as Parishioners

Southern California Catholics want a new pope exactly like the old one, and someone more willing to change. They want someone to open the priesthood to women, and someone to keep it shut. They want a man who will affirm the use of artificial birth control, and someone who won't. They want him to be Latin American, Slavic, African. Most of all, they want another globe-trotting pontiff who will show God's love to all people.

With voices reflecting the Roman Catholic Church's vast diversity, Southern Californians offered different portraits Sunday of the kind of leader they would like to succeed Pope John Paul II.

The tremendous affection that the pope engendered was evident among many parishioners, who said they wanted the new pontiff to embody many of his predecessor's qualities.

"I'm looking for an exact photocopy of the pope," said Claire Mansour, 52, after services at Our Lady of Mount Lebanon-St. Peter Cathedral in Beverly Hills. "He should definitely follow the church's beliefs: no on abortion, and if Jesus wanted women as priests, he would have appointed his mother, Mary."

At American Martyrs Church in Manhattan Beach, parishioner Mark Rubic, a 43-year-old office manager, called for a man who would intervene in global conflicts as John Paul did.

Rita Hanretty, a 63-year-old retired business analyst, said she hoped for a man who would similarly reach out to people of all faiths. And North Tustin resident Chris Kiehler, 46, said he wanted to see both qualities in the new pontiff.

"I hope that the next pope continues to be a peacemaker around the world and a bridge-builder to other religions," Kiehler said after services at Holy Family Cathedral in Orange, where overflow crowds sniffled and wiped away tears as prayers were said for John Paul.

But some parishioners perceived inflexibility in the pontiff's unwavering convictions and called for a new pope more willing to open discussion on church teachings about birth control, priestly celibacy and women's ministry.

"I want to see someone a little bit more liberal, who is willing to talk and listen to people," said Dorothy Nguyen-Graff, a chemist who worshiped Sunday at UCLA's University Catholic Center. "JPII was kind of stubborn -- he wasn't listening to anybody else."

In particular, many parishioners expressed concern over the church's growing shortage of priests and its effect on access to the Eucharist, their central act of worship. Many said they would like to see discussions about opening the priesthood to married men or women.