COME HOLY SPIRIT, COME
Candlelight prayer service

The next Pope will face many challenges This is not the time for a narrowing of the vision of the Church. As concerned Catholics, we pray that the Cardinal-Electors will listen to the urgings of the Holy Spirit in their choice.

[sung]
“If you believe and I believe and we together pray,
the Holy Spirit must come down and set God’s people free
and set God’s people free, and set God’s people free,
The Holy Spirit must come down and set God’s people free.”

For a leader of our Church who is willing to listen to the concerns of all peoples.
For the confidence and inspiration to be open to the needs of the World, we pray:

Come Holy Spirit fill the hearts of your people.
Enkindle within them the fire of your love.

For leaders of our Church who are open to the insights of science and the lived experience of faithful Catholics, especially regarding human sexuality, we pray:

For leadership in our Church to recognize the gifts of married people and women to serve the people of God in these times of priest shortage so that we not lose our identity as a Eucharistic people, we pray:

For leaders of all Christian Churches to reach out lovingly and embrace gays and lesbians, celebrating the gifts God has given, rather than attack their character, we pray

That the leaders of the Catholic Church have the humility and human decency to acknowledge the harm done by priests of our church in sexual assault on our young and the role our leaders have played in perpetuating the crime by cover-ups, we pray:

For Women – systemically left out of decision-making, discounted by the patriarchy – that the next Pope lead the way to a greater understanding of the sexist abuse of power and articulate a clear path toward recovery, we pray:

For a Church that leads the call for justice for the poor, for a reawakening of the gifts of "liberation theology” as taught by Jesus of Nazareth, for turning away from the trappings of power to the reality of trust in God, we pray:

That our Church truly recognize the gifts of other ways of worshipping one God, by other Christian Churches, by Jews and Muslims--the other children of Abraham and Sarah, and by people of faith throughout the world, we pray:

For renewed Church leadership which effectively preaches the message of Peace, so that nations would listen and heed, solving disputes through mediation and arbitration rather than by military power, we pray:

For Church leadership which would welcome the full participation of the laity, rendering themselves accountable and attentive to the needs of all, we pray

Most Holy Spirit, you were promised by Christ to the Church. Continue your work of enlightening us, your Church, and the men presently serving the Church in the role of Cardinal. Grant them wisdom to discern your calling, your will. We pray that only the inspiration of the Spirit lead these electors in the conclave. We pledge to work with the chosen pope for a renewed Church that is just, inclusive and accountable. We ask this in the name of God the Creator, God the Redeemer, and God the Holy Spirit.
AMEN. (and women)

[sung]
“If you believe and I believe and we together pray,
the Holy Spirit must come down and set God’s people free
and set God’s people free, and set God’s people free,
The Holy Spirit must come down and set God’s people free.”